Some admin stuff first...

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile...I guess a week isn't really that long, but feels like it.

I want to preface this post by telling you something that has been weighing on me for a couple of days. I shared that last post with you gals because I was proud of the christian attitude DH took in considering his job options. And I appreciate all of the wonderful feedback and support we got.

We are truly blessed. Blessed beyond belief. Blessed more than we deserve to be blessed. We have a house that shelters us, we have vehicles that can get us where we need to go (and in good working condition), we can even afford to fix them if one were to go kerput, we have a wonderful and beautiful daughter, a very supportive and loving and healthy family, we are able to make ends meet on one salary with a little bit left over for savings, we have little debt compared to the national average. And, we are blessed enough as a family to be able to let God lead us and turn down a perfectly good job offer because we felt a calling in a different direction. That is probably the most blessed thing we have going on for us right now.

It dawned on me the other day that there are many people, there are many families, who can't find decent paying jobs. Who cannot even work. Or who are working multiple jobs and multiple hours/shifts, never see their family except a day or so a week, work weekends (both Sat and Sun)...and all because they have to in order to make ends meet.

After this thought hit me, I remembered the post I wrote. Never in there did I praise God for allowing us the capability to pick and choose a new career for my husband. For giving us the grace and peace with our finances and our family life to turn down a suitably good job because we didn't feel that was the calling for DH at the time. It was a very difficult situation and decision for us. And that is the key word, for us.

But I just wanted to make it known that I do not take this lightly. We have our struggles and they are all relative for us. And God has blessed us and continues to bless us and guide us, and we follow faithfully. Just know that I don't take any of this for granted. Thanks all for the gracious words of support. I just want you to know we are not cold hearted for those in difficult and sometimes never ending situations.

Ok, now that the admin stuff is over.

Halloween was awesome! We had so much fun with Miss J coming here to work to trick or treat and then going over to my mom's house to Trick or Treat. She got more candy that I think we can ever eat (her parents that is). I need to spend some time on the computer at home and download some pictures...time has just gotten away from me.

Sunday, Miss J was dedicated at church. It was such a sweet moment. We had both families up on stage with us because we felt that they would be an important part of Miss J's faith upbringing too, not just mom and dad. We were the only ones up there with more than just mom and dad on stage...but we felt it was important. Especially with FIL being gone, it was also kind of in honor of him. Then family came over after and we all hung out and ate a lot!!

Miss J is changing so much. I cannot believe how big she is getting and how well she listens and is picking up things. This morning, DH was showing me how he taught Miss J the animals yesterday (they were home together because Miss J is getting over a cold). So, she has these "Little People" plastic little animals. DH lays them on the floor and asks Miss J which one is the horse...and she picks the right one up! Then, he asks which one is the goat...and she picks the right one up too! I couldn't believe it. It is like whatever she hears/sees, she picks right up on it. I ask her to go get a book for us to read, and she will walk into her room, pick a couple of books up and bring them back to me...she then turns around and sits right down in my lap. Even if I tell her it is time to change her pants (her diaper that is), she gets up from what she is doing and goes and walks into her bedroom and waits to get changed. Who is this little girl. Where is she picking all this stuff up??

Now, I just wish she knew how to communicate. Her crying and whining to get something or see something or get up on the couch is pretty annoying. We are trying some sign language, but it is slow moving. I kind of hope she picks up some real words soon. Like "up" or something simple like that. She isn't saying too much right now. Things like "yea" and "ok", but nothing substantial. I know it will change soon. It just amazes me.

OK, I have to get back to work. It has been a bit crazy lately here, so this post has taken more than my allotted time. Have a great week! I will try to post pictures soon.