What did I do?

After my very long post yesterday, I stood up from the computer to find this

 Amelia in the craft drawer, and she had emptied almost an entire bottle of glue.  And that is Jules hanging off the coffee table, watching her do it.

 "What?"

And this is Jules upset because Amelia is taking over the stool, bare butt, and wanting to eat her apple.

Yay!

Life's a vacation when you have no job

Paul has been without a job since May.  At first we, mainly I, freaked.  This meant no health insurance, no cell phones, no truck for Paul, not to mention NO income from the man that put the turkey on the table.  I have had a part time/fill in position, but no guaranteed hours, and no benefits.

We tried to jump into action, pulling Jules out of school so there wouldn't be that payment, trading in both of out nice cars for a KIA (I almost cried), no satellite TV, and no dinning out.  And I started picking up as many hours as possible at the clinic, still not much though.

Alot of praying, crying, and nagging worrying.

I was offered a job that fell through, Paul had a few prospects "that would be available in the future" but not much.

Then I was reading in a daily devotional book about how God is in control, and if you keep coming to Him with worry and fret over the same thing over and over...you really are not trusting Him at all.  And that's when the light went off.

I wasn't putting my trust in God to bring us through.

So,

I stopped worrying.

And you know what happened?

Life started to go smoothly.

It started with an unknown person gifting us some money.  It was just enough, and when I say just enough, I mean the exact amount of a bill that had come in.

We started selling small things, and so on.  It always seems to be enough to pay bills and make ends meet.

The best surprise was the fact that we had applied for AR Kids First.  I got the rejection letter in the mail, and cried.

But, the day I found out about the job, we received a letter with the girls cards.  I had accidentally applied for both forms of Ar Kids, and had been denied for one kind, but not the other.  God just kept making things happen.

" You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you." He also promises to "guide our feet into the path of peace."

Once I stopped worrying and trusted Him to take care of it, Paul and I just started living and seeking God's will in our lives.  I really think that God placed me in that temporary job at the clinic because it is such a faith based atmosphere.  There were a lot of awesome women there for prayer and support, and also to help strengthen my trust to be able to completely lean on Him. 

It is amazing that for the first time in our 13 year relationship, Paul and I talk about God on a daily basis, we pray to Him, and we have both seen that He has big plans for our future and family.  We are here to serve a greater purpose.

More on that later.

but as for now, We feel like we have been on vacation for weeks!  We are so rested, and having so much fun together as a family.

 This is what we call the attack of the BIG A! This was taken the morning after a very late night Barbie hunt.  We set out at 8pm, thinking it would be a quick trip to the local Wal-Mart for the ever coveted mermaid barbie.  Jules still had a gift card from her birthday, and finally knew what she had to have.  Well, leave it to walmart to disappoint...so after a call to the Barbie Queen aka Saletha Jean, we headed to walmart in the next town over.  Guess what. They don't sell those anymore.

The girls had their hearts on taking home a barbie, so we sat and played with EVERY barbie in walmart for 2 HOURS!

And they finally decided on those/ let me re say that Jules finally decided.  Lilly held the pony from the moment she laid eyes on it.

 This is why.  She has fallen in love with horses.  This is on the 4th of July, at Bryant family fest.  Her very first time on a pony, and she wasn't the least bit scared!

 We spent a week at the lake and it was great.  Jules and Lilly are at the perfect age to be able to sit back and watch them play.  They had swim lessons the first of summer, so they think they are pro swimmers.

And this is my happy husband, doing what he loves most...About to smoke some ribs. 

So, the last 4 months have been a sort of vacation.

God answered prayers because Paul and I both got jobs today.  Insurance again and making more that before.  Thank you Lord!

Heat and patience

Well, now I can't even find the cord that allows me to upload photos from my camera to the computer. 
We took all three girls to the lake for the first time yesterday.  It went so much better than we could have hoped.  Jules and Amelia jumped right in, Lilly had a mild drama attack, but once she realized there were no sharks, alligators, or sea monsters..she was fine.  She and Jules actually tubed! And through all the anticipated excitement, Jules still had time to maintain her looks.  She didn't want to wear a hat because it would mess up her ponytail, and in the truck yells out "O no, I forgot to paint a toe!"
I felt so blessed, they loved the water, didn't complain once about the heat, and were still champs at the restaurant during dinner.
So I guess today is payback.
They have screamed, fought, yelled, and complained allllll dayyyy longggg! 
Not to mention, Willow House broke out a HUGE sell this am, so I have been feverishly gathering orders all day, and trying to navigate a site that is on the verge of overload, complete a survey for a job, and a dishwasher that won't wash. 
All said, the blender, ice chest, and ice cream maker are calling my name for this weekend.
What does your family do for the 4th?

Summer daze

Wow, it's been nearly a month since the last post.  We have just been around, playing in the sprinkler, swimming, and Paul planted a garden.  The girls love to go out and water it, so it's actually staying alive.  Paul and I have both been job hunting, which is a part time job in it's self. 
Next weekend is the 4th!  Yay, cookouts and fireworks!  Hoping for a great time with friends.

Crapy no picture taking mom!

We had Juliana's 5th birthday party this past weekend.  It was blazing, and thankfully a pool party.  It was so hot indeed that I forgot to get out of the pool to take pictures of my beloved oldest daughters 5th birthday party!  Put the looser stamp on my head now please.  Haven't we all learned you have to hire a photographer if you want the memories in pictures?  O well, my mom got a few that I can maybe upload latter this week. 
Any how, Jules wanted a Little Mermaid party (ewww in my mind).  So I set off googling mermaid party's and there were some really cute ideas...none of which I executed.  We did how ever have teal and purple cupcakes, fun ocean colored balloons, gold fish, "sushi sandwiches", and starfish cookies.  Most important lots of sweaty friends and family  alot of fun in the pool with friends, and probably the most relaxed party yet.  Jules got embarrassed during the song, had a lot of help opening presents from eager friends, and told everyone thank you in their ear???  Hopefully she will remember even without the pics.

Juliana is 5!

I know, right!  I feel the same way!

You were born 8lbs 9oz, 21inches long
We spoiled you from day one, and proud of every moment of it.

You breathed in some fluid during delivery, so had to go to the NICU for a few days.  We were so excited once we got to go home, that you were never put down.  You slept with us until you were 6mo old.  I couldn't stand to be away from you for even a moment.

You decided to be Joseph for the preschool book parade.  We were shocked, because I couldn't figure out why you wanted to be Joseph.  You said, " because I want to be Jesus' daddy."

You are an awesome big sister.  You really are a "little momma"

Notice Jules arm around Lilly.  She was trying to make her feel safe.

You still love toilet paper.  When you are sick, we just go to Sam's and buy you a case.

We love how the little things in life bring you such joy

This was kindergarten registration day.  And today was preschool graduation day.  You and I are both pretty sick, but we still went (sorry, we tried to make sure not to be near anyone).  I stayed in the very back since I still have fever.  After you said, Mommy, did you not see me crying up there.  "No, Why were you crying?"  you "I didn't know it was going to be like that."  I think you meant that you didn't realize you would be on stage with everyone watching.  You don't like to be stared at. 

You would rather be in the kitchen helping to cook and "set up for a party" than getting dirty and "sweated"

You STILL ask to sleep with us, or for one of us to sleep with you.  The answer is usually no, unless you are sick, then you will sleep with me in the big bed.  I actually like it.  It's comforting hearing you breath through the night.  We love you so much sweet girl!  Happy Birthday!

"Ewww"

Amelia is talking

She has been saying mamma, dada, 'mon (come on), go (for here you go).  But now she says Lilly "llllilly" and Jules "Ju" and a slew of other repeats.  It's like she just decided that last night was the night and out it all came.  Of course we had to be cheesy and video it all.  She was loving being the center of all attention.  Her fav remains "ewww" when she finds that old milk cup under the bed when you give her something she doesn't like or want, such as apple juice without ice. 

This is Juliana heading home from the hospital.  It's hard to believe she will be 5 next week!

Check back Wednesday for her birthday post.