Our God is an Awesome God!

I don't know why I'm so surprised. I shouldn't be but somehow I still am. Does this mean I don't have faith in God? No it just means I worry too much and try to solve our family problems on my own instead of relying more on God like I should. So what am I talking about? In the past week we have received some very practical help from several very unexpected sources. We've gotten checks we weren't expecting and have been given food (leftovers from a couple different cookouts we were invited to). Praise God for His provision! We are now able to pay our mortgage for next month and either the gas/electric or the water bill. Yeah!!!

This whole process has really made us depend on God. It's been a great lesson for the kids about God and how He really does take care of us. Rose commented just today that life hasn't been much different since dad lost his job. And that's been our goal. The kids don't need to know how much we've struggled and stressed about the future. They know their dad doesn't have a job right now, but they don't need to know all the details of our finances. They have been great through all this - not complaining and begging for things (well except Matthew some, but he's still little and doesn't understand).

We have been so blessed through all this with an amazing circle of family and friends who have been praying for us, calling to check in and emailing. We appreciate each of you so much for supporting us through all this.

There is no job on the horizon for either of us yet. Phil has been diligently applying places most every day. I am working on updating my resume and will be looking for something as well. I love being a stay-at-home mom and don't want to give it up. But if I can find work, I will. And for those of you wondering why we don't just apply at McDonalds or retail or something for now just to get a little money, well we could but it wouldn't really help. Places like that aren't hiring people like us who want benefits and full-time work (or even part-time work) because we're overqualified. There are so many people looking for work right now that retail and fast food places aren't looking to hire someone like me with a Master's degree when they can get someone for cheaper who won't be quitting when they get something better.

But through all this, the kids and I are still having some fun. We went to a cookout that a couple in our small group had at their house. They have a fenced-in backyard with a pool and trampoline. The kids were thrilled and spent 90% of our time their in the pool. And this was in weather that was maybe 74 degrees. It has been a surprisingly cool summer here but that didn't deter the kids from swimming.

We've been spending lots of time at the playground a mile from our house. They have 3 separate play areas with stuff for littler kids and stuff for bigger kids to do. We get there and my 4 kids scatter in different directions, climbing the rocks, sliding, doing the monkey bars, playing tag and just generally having lots of fun. I so enjoy watching them enjoy themselves and run off some energy!

Thre best news recently though is that Matt is finally potty trained. Yes he is indeed 4 already. I've been putting off training him but finally decided it was time last month after his birthday. Success!! Yippee!!! He has had 1 accident in the last week so I think it's safe to say that we've passed another milestone and have entered the phase of life that doesn't involve taking extra diapers everywhere we go. We still have several in pullups at night, but at least I don't have to change diapers anymore. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!