A New Job Title

So after 15 years "Welder" being his job title...Jeff is now or soon to be a "Safety Supervisor"... surprisingly this will take me some getting used too. Jeff & I have been praying about a new job position he was offered about a month ago. He was asked to consider helping with an audit, this would also inform him more about the job. He said he would be glad to help, but that he was not interested in taking the job full time...do to several reasons. He was asked to work the two weeks and then after, make our decision. Jeff has been with the company almost 15 years so he is up front and honest with everyone. He pretty much knows the jobs to accept, or to avoid ;) Well, after the first week we were definitely considering the job, but we still had a few more questions/concerns. The past two weeks God has been here to guide us through... We feel this is what HE wants for us right now, and we couldn't be more thankful! I was excited and thrilled to hear Jeff say tonight that his back didn't hurt at all!! Wow! What a awesome God we serve! And...if one day this job leads to other transfers, we will then take that journey...

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Let the Games Begin!

Last night was Caden's first game of the season. This is his first year in Machine Pitch and he did great! He plays 3rd base, and he got three outs last night! The Rockies lost by one point in the last inning..but they still played a great game!

Yesterday before the big game!

Go Rockies!

Enjoying our Time Together

We spent our weekend visiting and relaxing with Nana & Papaw at the lake. The boys were very excited to spend both Friday and Saturday night in their new camper... and Grace was excited just to find her bed come bed time. We all had a wonderful time together!

Fishing with Papaw on Saturday.

Caden skipping rocks across the water.
Grace making sure she doesn't lose her heart
Band-Aid. :)

Watching the birds fly across the water.

All playing, doing there own thing.

I wish you could see the butterfly she was chasing...
it was so cute!

...Even Papaw had to grab his camera!

Playing soccer!

Later, Grace had to join in on the fun ;)

I found Nana riding Jared's bike,

I just had to get a picture! ;)

We have a decision to make

A few weeks ago Jeff was offered a job position, this will require a transfer to another plant. The job would be more laid back or better yet, less physical or demanding on his back, also a promotion into a new field. We have been praying for over a year that a position would come available to him, because of his back condition. With the doctors talking surgery...we just knew it would come. We can not tell you enough how grateful we are to Tom for all he has done for us over the last 9 months. God is so Good! The job would still be in Longview (for now) he would have his own office, computer & email oohhh.. and he can actually carry his cell phone with out getting fired! ;) We are praying for God's will, for Him to show us if this is the job HE wants for Jeff, not what sounds good to us at the time. Our decision will be made next week.

I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. Psalm 32:8

Winter's Last Chance

Today is our last day of Spring Break. Well it's not looking too much like spring today. It is 30 degrees and snowing outside!!

We were blessed this week with warm temperatures, and an awesome weekend last week of camping!

"Mr. Winter" just won't give up this year! :)

crazy...crazy...weather.

Well It's Back to School

Wow how this week has flown by!

Grace playing in the flowers at the park (after giving her oldest brother fits by trying to run and play with all the dogs on the walking trail ;)

We have enjoyed our spring break this week. We had fun with friends, but have gotten some much needed chores done around the house. The boys worked at Nana & Papaw's house all day on Monday and even earned some good money. Tuesday Grace got to experience Chuck E. Cheese for the first time (not counting her very first visit when she was 2 weeks old for her brothers 8th & 5th birthday party). She was a little overwhelmed, she had never been to such fun restaurant before, and it was a bit crowded! Wednesday we stayed home and did some spring cleaning. Thursday we enjoyed our day at the park, afterwards Jared went home with Andrew and Caden enjoy his afternoon with Abi at our house. Later after ball practice we enjoyed our evening at the Akin's. Today, Caden wanted to go to work with his daddy. He wasn't aware that he would be gone quite so long. But, excited to get a special treat afterwards. Diane called and Jared spent the night with her three boys. Grace helped me with yard work by picking up sticks, then we enjoyed a small campfire together.

Caden and Abigail playing on Thursday.
You better hang on Caden...

Abi is good at giving pushes!.... ;)

First Camp Out of The Year

We had the best time camping this weekend! The area that we were in was perfect for us, it was small, with maybe 10 sites. The best part, it was only about 100ft from the park. We (Jeff & I) could actually relax a little not worry where Grace ran off to. We could watch the kids play from our camp site. We loved it and will camp there again soon. On Saturday Nana & Papaw came out to visit, and told us they just bought a camper and would like to join us on our next camp out!! Yay!!

Relaxing on the hammock.

Grace was saying "cheese" she knew a picture was being taken. So cute!!

Loves her brothers soooo.

Sunday morning fishing.

Her first time to fish!

After dropping the boys off at Nana & Papaw's for a work day on Monday, Grace and I passed out on our way home. She went to bed at 7:30 and woke up this morning at 12 noon!! WOW she has never done that before! Poor baby, she was exhausted.

Spring is in Full Swing

It's amazing to me how easy it is to allow our lives to become sooo busy. I suppose I'm selfish. I enjoy the times when the kids are not in extra activities. As a family, we are busy enough before any extras are added:) The kids enjoy doing special activities every now and then, so we let them choose one activity at a time. Caden's thing is baseball, and boy is it in full swing. Practice started this week, and will continue for a few days during spring break. Then...let the games begin! Jared has been wanting to join the swim team. So we will be signing him up in May. Hoping by this time Caden will be finishing up with Baseball. I just think it's busy now. In just another year Grace will almost be 4 and she will want to join... baseball... soccer... swim or dance. This is why I enjoy the little time in between activities.

For spring break we had plans on camping the Gulf Shores, about an 8 hour drive. Jeff would not be working (closing the plant for the week) so this was a good opportunity to go before the summer heat. He came home last week saying he will be working. I was a little sad. But blessed and excited the plant is not closing. We altered our plans a little, we're still camping, but this trip is a 45 minute drive, just a little closer to home.

Can't believe spring is almost here! Didn't we just celeberate Christmas?...

Stuck in A Bucket

Last week Grace had the best time playing with her baby doll. She gave her a ride in the waggon, several rides down the tree house slide, and she even shared her lunch with her.

This morning before the rain, we had the chance to spend a few minutes outside in the sunshine! I heard her say..."let's get in baby. Look mommy, I'm steering!" I turned to look, and she (and the baby) had gotten in our (dirty) car cleaning bucket. Ugh. Oh well, she was enjoying herself. Until..."help me mommy I'm stuck!" Oh the joys of being two:)

One Year Ago

This week has been somewhat sad for me. It was one year ago today Memaw passed away and went to be with Jesus. Just remembering our precious last visits with her. The kids and I talking and laughing with her. Spending as much time with her as I could. Remembering her final moments with us. God has blessed me with these precious memories.

Below are some of my favorite pictures of the kids with

her.

Memaw and Jared at her 80th Birthday.

Below: 9 months before she passed.

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. Isaiah 61:3

Reconciliation

I mentioned in my last post that the boys have not been getting along. Jeff and I became concerned because this is unlike them. Don't get me wrong, they fight or disagree with each other, but not like they have these past two weeks. We have always been open with talking to the kids, and have shared some of our own childhood experiences. Hoping that this may help them with their journey. We were concerned that maybe something happened at school. We talk to Jared and he says everything at school is "fine." Jeff & I know that there is a reason he is acting out like this. I talked to Jared again yesterday morning. He said, Caden has been mean to him for a long time, and he wants him to know how it feels. He agreed with me that this was wrong. He said, he's just tired of it!! I would agree with him on that. The more we pray about this the more we feel like this is a sibling issue, and not a bully at school. I did go head and call his teacher yesterday, just to find out how he's doing. She said he is doing great! He's a fun loving student and seems to be happy. He has lunch and plays outside with several close friends everyday. She will keep an eye on him and if anything comes up she will call. This put my mind at ease. Now we are praying how to handle this. Later, I shared with Caden some of my conversation I had with Jared. He felt upset, and said he wouldn't be mean to him anymore.

We also rejoice in suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4