A Week in Review

It's been an interesting past week. Lots going on and, not going on at our house. Let me 'splain:

1. John is training to be the repair guy at his work. This means really good things for him, but it will also mean some really long days (since he still had to do his normal work, too). Last week he worked 72 hours. Wow.

2. Since I'm still unemployed I am fast learning what it is like to be a stay-at-home-mom with a husband that works long hours. How do you people do it? I have way less patience than I thought. It's definitely been an adjustment!

3. Ben will be three next month! He has constantly been telling us everything he wants for his birthday and what kind of cake he wants (it changes every day). I think it's time for an official Ben 3-year photo session. He has become increasingly interested in having his picture taken. To which I say It's About Time!

4. Saturday Shannon had us over for an egg hunt at her house. It actually took convincing on my part for Ben to participate because he just wanted to play trains. Once he figured out what we were doing, though, he was sold. So fun! John missed this event because all the guys had to go and help clean up the shop because the owner is going to be in town this week.

5. Combined with a long week of working plus something really bad eaten on Saturday, John was super sick on Sunday and also missed church and the Easter festivities at my mom's house! Granted, Easter at my mom's was a bit overwhelming and kind of crazy. The Easter Egg Hunt was really fun and I'm glad I braved the older kids and joined them in the big kid hunt (anyone can hunt at my mom's house) because I got one of the $5 eggs. :)

All of us were a bit stressed out but it ended on a good note. All of my stuff was packed in the car and I was waiting for people to leave so I could get out of my mom's driveway. So Mandie got Abby and Ben on the swing in front of my mom's house to take a picture. Her son Carter joined in and the laughing and screaming ensued. It was the funniest thing I have witnessed in a really long time. I love those kids! Mandie got these of the hilarity:

6. This week I am bound and determined to get back on the weight loss wagon, especially after seeing two of my sisters doing really great so far at losing weight! One of them is skinnying up for her daughter's wedding in July and the other for Girls Camp. Since I'm not going to girls camp nor do I have a daughter getting married (though I will be shooting said wedding) I don't have a lot of motivation. But alas, back on the bandwagon I am! (Melinda and Ginny – you both look great! I'm jealous!)

7. I am totally LOVING my laptop. John said he thinks I may even love it more than him, so I'm trying not to be on it too much (even though I have lots of projects I'm working on). I love my laptop way more than I loved my work laptop because, well, this one is MINE! And it works great, especially after a RAM upgrade. Thank you John for getting me such a good one! Now I just need to sell this and this.

8. I finally had my Payment Request approved through the Texas Workforce Commission. They REALLY don't make it easy! I don't know how people cheat the system. It took me 2 weeks just to get one person to call me back. I can't complain though, it's money coming in we didn't have before!

9. Due to the kindness of a dear family member, we have a little walking around money (slipped to me yesterday indiscreetly). I nearly cried. They told me to go do something fun. Or buy groceries. So we're taking Ben to see Monsters vs. Aliens tomorrow afternoon (we still have one free movie ticket from a previous movie going experience that doesn't expire). Yes we may be crazy because Ben always has ants in his pants and won't sit still, but we're hoping for the best!

10. So overall things are going good. We're not freaking out about me not having a job yet, we're still seeing where life takes us. I'm really loving being home with Ben, as much as it tests my patience, my willingness to keep my house clean, as well as my sanity. Potty training is not going so great, but still going at it. I've been so blessed to have a lot of small projects and opportunities (aside from a full time gig thus far) fall in my lap to help us weather the storm. I also am glad I have been able to help out with babysitting here and there, and in a small way feel like I've been able to repay some of the debts I feel we owe to those who were SO GOOD to us whenever we needed someone to babysit for us! We really do feel like the Lord is looking out for us and we know that things will happen as they need to!