I'm a slacker!

I am so terrible at this blog thing. I keep telling myself I will do better, but then don't.

We have had quite a crazy few weeks here. August 5 was Jay's last day of work. That morning, I went to start a load of laundry and later found that the sensor on the washing machine was broken and never stopped filling causing a flood over a lot of my main floor and down into the basement (which thankfully is not finished!) We had to have the floors taken out in our laundry / bathroom, kitchen and some carpeting in our hallway as well as the vanity in the bathroom.

The NEXT day, our hot water heater started leaking. At first we weren't sure it really was because it seemed very coincidental that it would leak the day after our flood, but indeed it did. Jay had to replace it for us... not a cheap endeavour.

The NEXT day, one of the toilet on the second floor started to leak at the valve going into the wall. Jay also had to replace that. Not very fun!

So, for now, I think we have all our water issues under control. We are still living on ply wood and decided to pull up the carpet in our eating area and lay tile throughout. Jay is hoping to start this weekend, but is confident it will take a few weeks or so as he will only be able to do it in short periods of time. He tiled our bathroom upstairs when we first moved here, but hasn't done it since and that was only about 50 sf... this is about 350 sf. I just really want my laundry back. My sister has graciously allowed us to use her washer and dryer and while I greatly appreciate it... it is still a huge inconvenience for a family of 6 to have to bring our laundry somewhere else.

So, good news...

Brooklynn started kindergarten this last Wednesday. She is enjoying it so far and has had no tears which was a great relief for me!! She is extremely shy, but came home the first day and said she talked to her teacher and then yesterday said she talked to one other little girl. Those are HUGE steps for her!

Wesley had his two month appointment yesterday. Two months! Where has the time gone. I can't believe it! I think time goes faster with each child! Anyway, he was 12 lbs 13 oz and 24 3/4 in. long. He has grown so fast. The girls have always been small and very slow at growing... he is very different. I was just telling Jay last night that I have never had to learn how to clean between rolls at bath time!

I got a job at Starbucks this week. I don't start for about a week and a half, but I am very excited to go back to work there. Jay and I are changing so many of our roles and in some ways I am a little anxious to be working after being at home full time for five years, but in other ways I am very excited and looking forward to being out of the home some and doing something that doesn't involve diapers, screaming children and continual messes (oh, I guess that will be there, but it will be different!)

So, I think that sums up most of the last few weeks. I again, hopefully will be better at this... but I wouldn't count on it!

update...

Life is changing a lot around here. Just wanted to share a little of what is going on and ask some of you to be in prayer for us.

Jay has always known that he has a calling into full time ministry. About a year ago, we really felt the Lord was calling us to commit to him going to seminary. We started the journey last September, but quickly learned that it was extremely difficult with his work and all his traveling... he was traveling about two weeks a month. His classes were online, but when he travels he works such long hours that it was still too difficult and stopped taking classes in December.

In the early spring he went before our church board and asked for a paid position as an intern at the church. After much prayer, they felt that they were not to spend the church's money in that way at this time. We very much respected their decision, but was still in a hard position to figure out how to accomplish what God was asking of us.

In April and May both Jay and I felt the Lord speaking to us and sharing the same message with both of us... "do what I have asked you to do... even when it doesn't make sense. Don't make it be practical."

After much prayer and guidance from friends, family and pastors, we felt that Jay was released from his job and that he is to go to school full time. So, tomorrow is his last day at work. He is going to a leadership conference with our pastors and has started an internship with the church (just not paid) and will be starting school full time in a couple weeks. We very much feel that this is what the Lord has asked of us, and when we are focused on Him, we have peace, but it is easy to take our eyes off Him and then the fear of the unknown takes over. We don't know what is ahead of us. School is three years and as of right now, we have no income. I am looking for a job, but will probably not make enough to pay our bills. We don't really know what the Lord has in store for us, but trust that He has a plan and that He has not called us into this to allow us to fail.

Please pray that we will continue to hear His voice and trust in Him fully. I know when times get hard it will be easy to question our decisions, so pray that we will be reminded of His calling.
I will keep you updated as we start this journey ahead of us. Thanks for your prayers and support.