Hard Working Elves

 My four oldest little ones have been working hard over the past two days on a big project for them.  They have been the elves creating 20 little gift bags for women who are in an organization with me.

We spent Saturday wearing our masks and creating the gift bags with a family assembly line

And we spent HOURS on Sunday in our suburban sleigh doing ding-dong-dash drop-offs to deliver the gifts.  We wore masks and delivered 19 gift bags and 3 plates of cookies from Glenwood to Parachute (most were in Rifle... but a few took us some time).

It was such a great project for my little ones right before Christmas.  They spent so much time and energy creating these beautiful gift bags and none of the bags were for them -- or for their friends.  They were for MY friends.  Also, we were really tired by the time we got home from those 19+3 deliveries.  We realized Mr. Santa must be EXHAUSTED by the time he finishes all of his deliveries.

Merry Christmas and good tidings of comfort and joy!

Tracey and PEO

We are still adjusting to life with our oldest in kindergarten, a transition made more difficult by the fact she was in school two weeks, then had labor day weekend, then one day back to school before we pulled her out of school three days to travel 2000 miles to and from St. Louis for a family funeral.

We are still learning a lot about the rules and regs of the school, family expectations, student expectations, and our own routine in this new school environment. 

Well, during her second week of school, Tracey was picking out her school clothes for the next day, and said, "Oh, Mama... I want to pick a special outfit for tomorrow.  Tomorrow I have PEO."

PEO is an International Women's Organization of which both my mother and I are members.  Tracey knows about PEO because I attend monthly meetings, help organize social events, support fundraisers, and it is commonly discussed around our house and with my mother.  PEO is something Tracey has heard about her entire life.

When I heard that she had "PEO" the next day, I didn't correct her and tell her I was sure her school did not have a PEO chapter... I just said, "Okay, Sweetie, that's awesome," and let her go on picking her clothes.  For all I knew, our little leader had organized her own PEO meetings with her friends -- that would be our little Tracey Ann.

So, she carefully picked out a special outfit, and then chose a hair bow, and then chose a necklace.  While making these careful choices, she repeated several times that she had "PEO" tomorrow.

Then, she suddenly stopped, with two necklaces held in mid-air.  She looked at me and said, "Oh.  Wait. ... ... I have PE tomorrow."

That was such a special moment as my oldest was so excited for PEO... and then realized on her own that PE (Physical Education Class) might be something a little different. 

We then had to discuss wardrobe and the fact that there is a different dress code for PE than PEO. 

While my children are very familiar with workouts and the importance of exercise -- they really have never heard the term "PE" before.  "PEO" on the other hand -- that they hear about ALL THE TIME!

 

11 on 11th

I meant to take 10 photos on the 10th but I completely forgot.  So, I took 11 pictures (actually more) on the 11th... and I'm glad I did because yesterday was a crazy day.

Started the day with a workout

My view from inside the shower

I took this picture of Howard and Caroline's class because I had the sneaking suspicion that I wouldn't get any pictures of them swimming with their class in the water.

I was right.  

These two defected from preschool swim class.  

We'll try again next year.

Tracey, however, rocked her Level 1 swim class!  I didn't get to see all of it because the twins were so inconsolable but she's learning how to swim the crawl, and the back stroke, and she dove for rings.

After swimming, we made the mad dash to soccer, and Tracey did a great job practicing her soccer skills.

Our little cheering section enjoyed shade and snacks.

Howard was so proud of himself for learning how to hold up 2 fingers.

After soccer, they had an indoor picnic tea party with Tracey passing out toys to her guests.

Addallee was so enthralled watching them...

So then, she was invited to the party as well.

It was a very sweet moment to get to see.

 We were surprised to get a knock on the door to discover that our new washer and dryer were being delivered.  We have been hoping and waiting for it for weeks... but we did expect a call to arrange the delivery.  We were glad we were home to receive them.

Here are our old washer and dryer (they had already been pulled out of their spots when I took this picture)...

And here are our new washer and dryer!  I can't wait to figure out how to use them.

Lee Lee came with me to a PEO meeting last night, and she was so good.  In this picture, she is playing with a fellow sister's big necklace.

 

The Easiest Days

I'm mostly recording this story so that I don't forget it because I think its really funny now... but I think I will find it even funnier in the future.

A few weeks ago, I attended a PEO sisterhood event where we all brought our husbands.  It was so much fun, and since my particular group of PEOs is pretty new (less than a year old), it was the first event with husbands and wives.

I am one of the younger members of the group and one of only two members with such young children (ie. children still in diapers).  During the course of our evening, some of my sisters were asking questions about my pregnancy.  Most of their children are older and so they are now in a different stage of life than my husband and I are.

One particular sister, asked if this was going to be our fourth child, which I confirmed that yes it is.  She said that she and her husband had four children.  She then went on to tell me that she thought the hardest stage was when they all had to be at a different activity, in different locations, at the same time.

I said that yes, that sounds difficult.  I said that in some ways I look forward to the kids being in school because I will get a little break at home, but that in other ways, I'm sure things will stay crazy but in a different way.

She went on to tell me that she really thinks I'm probably in the easiest days right now while all our kids are so young and at home and that it will only get harder as they get older.

I told her that if she ever wanted to swing by our house to give herself an "easy day" in my shoes, she was welcomed to do so.

My other sisters who overheard our conversation burst out laughing hysterically.

Gratitude: Day 19

Oh my, Day 19!!!!

Today, I am so grateful for the woman who had been housing me during these three weeks in Tucson.  She is a PEO sister, and has opened her home, her kitchen, her life, her heart, her dog, and her family to me.

She is such a natural mother, and she had taken care of me in so many ways while I've been here.  She fixes dinner for us every night, she listens to stories about my day, she makes sure I get my work done, and she even shares her garage with me so my car doesn't have to sit outside.

She has the most beautiful home, but what makes it most beautiful is her hospitality and the open arms with which she greeted me and has continued to welcome me every day of my stay.

Lord, Please bless this woman for her incredible kindness and hospitality, and please bring it back to her in spades.

18 days down; 2 to go!!!

Why Was I Surprised?

Today, I am asking myself, "Why was I surprised?"

I have mentioned that Chris and I are both heading back to grad school starting this semester.  It will be a very busy year and one full of learning and exciting opportunities.

Chris and I are excited and we're ready for this year ahead... but I am also nervous for what lies ahead.  I am worried about the work and the deadlines, yes... but I am also worried about the financial aspects of both of us in grad school, at the same time, and the costs over and above tuition -- books, travel as needed, housing as needed, etc.

The Lord has made it abundantly clear time and time again that I am meant to earn this degree this year and I am trusting that He will provide for our needs this entire year and beyond.  He will provide for all our needs -- financial, emotional, time management, knowledge, and strength.

He has already provided for us this first semester in a number of ways.

I was awarded two scholarships in December to help with my tuition both through the International PEO Sisterhood where I'm a member.  The scholarship check arrived within days of my first tuition statement, and my gratitude for the Lord's provision is immense.

In addition, I received several Amazon.com gift cards from Christmas, which I was able to use to help off-set the cost of books (books are REALLY expensive!!!).  The Lord is providing for us and all our needs for this degree.

All of that being said, there are still some very significant logistics and provisions I am praying over regarding this degree.

Specifically, I need housing in Greeley the month of June.
I need a 3 week practicum placement in July.
I need a 3 week practicum placement in August.
I need a 3 week practicum placement in the Fall 2013.
And, I need housing at ALL of these practicum placements.

The Lord has been providing for us in many ways... but I was still surprised.

Today, I called a PEO sister at a chapter in Greeley, Colorado and chatted about whether her chapter Bed and Breakfast might be willing to give me a discounted rate to stay there in the month of June, while I take my class on campus.  We had a very nice conversation and she said she would get back with me after their January meeting, in a few weeks.

I felt good about the conversation, and knew that anything this chapter decided would be in God's hands.  If they came back to me and said they weren't able to help, the Lord would open another door.

This PEO sister called me back less than 20 minutes later to say that she and her husband had spoken, and they would love to have me stay at their home in their spare room for the month of June while I'm studying on campus.

Why was I so surprised?!?!  But I was SOOO Surprised!

I was humbled and grateful and overjoyed and surprised!

I had to ask myself, "Why was I surprised?" give that the Lord has been providing for us through this entire process...

And then I gave myself a break...

I was surprised because one never knows HOW the Lord will provide.

Just because I expected the Lord to provide for us did NOT mean I expected to have a PEO sister offer to host me in June, rent-free, within 20 minutes of our talking.

I wasn't surprised that the Lord provided... I was surprised by how completely, and how far-in-advance the Lord provided.

Thank You, Father!
I am overcome with gratitude and increased faith!