DivorceCare

I did one of the scariest things, I started attending a Bible study for divorcing/seperated people at my church! I almost didn't go bc of nerves and bc my mom was late dropping off the kids, but I did and am glad I did! It's a 13wk class, and I know the title sounds like it's pro divorce, but it's not really. The course helps you deal w/all the feelings that come along w/seperation and/or divorce. It teaches you how to heal, it helps w/reconciliation bc the Bible really does teach for marriages to last till death do us part, but it also helps if divorce is the final option. The group is made up of 4 guys and 5 women. There's one guy around my age, but everyone else is older. That was another thing that almost kept me from going bc I figured surely I'd be the only one this young already dealing w/a possible divorce. It also helps deal w/a lot of the misconceptions that the world has w/divorce. It amazes me how even the closes people to me don't understand the real impact of what is going on in my life. The class relates divorce to the death of a loved one, and in a lot of ways, it is. You just lost what at one point in time was your best friend, the person you thought you'd spend the rest of your life with, the person you chose to raise a family with, a person who was your world. The emotions and the depth of the loss is just too much for most people to grasp. People think you should get over it w/in months time. That you should just move on w/your life. But it's not that simple or easy to do. It's a LONG process that you need to go through. To fast forward through the process would only lead to more hurt down the road.
I'm glad I went bc maybe this will give me the tools I need to work things through, and hopefully it will give me the support I will need in the coming weeks/months/possibly years!

Mercury Sable

Yes, I finally have a new car! Ok, not new, but new to me :) I sold my van, which is a miracle in and of itself, and I bought a '97 Mercury Sable. The list of things that were wrong w/my van is pretty long. It had electrical problems (some days I would have my gages for the speedometer and stuff, other days I wouldn't), it had a brake fluid leak, also needed new brakes, needed a new strut tower and new struts, needed a new tranny, and had engine problems (possibly needed a new engine). Oh, and the trunk would stick so sometimes it'd take 5 mins just to open the trunk. Needless to say, it was more of a headache then I needed or could deal with! And before you think that I MUST have lied to get it sold, I didn't. The people who bought it knew what they were getting. They could do a lot of the work themselves so it wouldn't cost them as much as it would have cost me. I took the money from the van and bought the Sable. The people who were selling the Sable basically had money and were just giving it away pretty much. The guy had put about $2000 worth of work into getting the car in excellent running condition. He was super nice! God really has worked yet another miracle in my life!! THANK YOU GOD!

Thursday

Shaun worked a lot of OT this week, so he didn't take the boys over night at all. So, Thursday we decided to go do something fun w/them. We were going to take them to the air museum, but we weren't sure if there was anything for there age. Then we thought about going to the Grandville mall bc they have a play area, and Asher needs winter clothes. But, we ended up going to the GR Children's Museum. The boys had a lot of fun, as they did the last time we went. It's actually rather inexpensive, and it's a great place to let the kids play and learn at the same time! Here's some pictures of our day....enjoy :)

I Forgot to Mention

We took Jaden for his regular 6mos ear check up on Tuesday. He's been going regularly ever since having tubes put in. They did a hearing check, which is pretty normal too for him. Shaun went in the sound proof box w/him and could tell that he was struggling. I think it was his right side that they said wasn't working properly 100% of the time. So, this time we go back in 3mos to have his hearing tested again. I really hope it turns out to be nothing!! It just seems like Jaden can't catch a break sometimes. The doctors are always so surprised w/how well he does, and how he even knows the routines. But, it's bc he's been at the doctors practically his whole life. Starting from birth w/the jaundice, to have tubes bc of all the ear infections, his issues w/his allergies, his eye issues, and now possible hearing loss. Pray that he tests better next time around!!!

life

Let's see here.....I didn't get anymore painting done on the boys' room. I'm not sure what I did on Tuesday, but Wednesday I spent the day w/my mom. I didn't want to paint on Thursday bc I didn't want there to be paint fumes left when they went to bed that night. I had to get out the winter clothes this week bc it got down in the 60's. I also cleaned my van bc it's up for sale. I can tell the transmission is getting worse. It's starting to slip just in regular driving, and occassionally, it doesn't want to shift gears. Plus, it's making a new noise that I can't tell if it's the trans or the engine. I'm just hoping to get a okay amount so that I can get a decent car. I've decided not to get a van bc my sister doesn't plan on going back to work. If I'm not watching my neice & nephew, even though I PREFER a van, I really could save money by getting a car. I cut my hair. Nothing drastic, or at least I didn't think so. I've gotten so many comments on it though. Even costumers at M&M have noticed my hair cut! I don't have a picture, or I'd share.
This week at church, Pastor Cummings started a series on Jonah. It's amazing how much I didn't know or realize from what is presented as such a simple story. I love how he brings history into the text, and he brings fresh insight to things. I have a feeling it's going to be a really good series!
Jaden's new thing is "what are you doing?", and Asher's new thing is "what's that?". I'm constantly getting bombarded w/questions. Asher is really starting to talk more, it just amazes me....Jaden too! Recently, I think the two of them have just been changing over night. Jaden loves watching Veggie Tales, which he calls "movie tales", and Asher loves reading books! He's constantly on my lap w/books for me to read to him. Jaden is doing well w/potty training except we can't seem to get him to tell us when he has to poop. He tells us any other time though. I know it'll come w/time, but I just wish that time would come sooner vs later :)
Well, that's pretty much it for us. I'm throwing in a picture of Asher from Saturday. I just thought the outfit looked really good on him...plus he's just a cutie! Hope everyone else is well and feel free to leave me a note!!

Jared Anderson

Today was the 11th yr anniversary of my church. This morning there was a special speaker, can't think of his name, but he rocked! He talked about how we lose two-thirds of the young people in church btwn the ages of 18-25 bc we aren't really showing them how to have a relationship w/Christ. He challenged us parent's to show what it is to be a believer by our daily walk, and to train your child to spend time in God's word starting at the young age of even a 2nd grader.
They also did a special offering for the children's wing. Last year, they did a offering for the youth room and raised $27,000. This time their goal was $40,000. I'm not sure if they made it or not, I'm guessing we'll find out next week. I've been going there all summer, and the 1st time I'd heard of the special offering was last week. I kinda expected there'd be more hype, but they seem to be pretty laid back out things and just trusting in God to provide.
Ok, anyways, this evening they had a concert by Jared Anderson. I wanted to go, but the boys and I over slept on our naps. So, I ALMOST decided to stay home, but last minute, I threw the boys together and headed to church. We weren't late bc they'd been having a parking lot tailgate party, and I guess that went over a little bit. So, I was actually like 3mins early by time I got into service. And, the concert ROCKED! On the very last song, I found myself jumping to the music, something which is normal in service, but not usually my style. I LOVE worshiping through music. I was hoping he'd play my favorite song "Hear Us From Heaven", but he didn't. It's ok, I forgive him :) It was still an awesome time worshiping God, and I'm glad I went!!! I couldn't find Jared actually singing the song, but here's Ross Parsley singing "Hear Us From Heaven":

Painting

So, I've had paint for the boys' room for probably close to a year now, and I've just never gotten around to actually painting!! Sad, I know :D Shaun started this week taking the boys Tue-Thur, so I decided it was a good time to start painting. Now, I haven't been Miss Motivation so I haven't gotten a ton accomplished. In fact, I think this project will probably take at least 3wks to finish at this rate..LOL But, here's some beginning photos. Keep in mind, there used to be a boarder where the green and blue meet, so w/out the boarder, it doesn't look so great.





And, here's a picture of the door and one wall that I've gotten done.

I definitely think it turns the room from a nursery to a little boy's room!

Labor Day

Today we spent the day together as a family, just the 3 of us. I was hoping to sleep in, but the boys were awake at 6:30. I did not get them up that early bc that's WAY too early to get up when you don't have to, but sleeping in is something we didn't do...LOL After morning naps, I packed up most of their lunch, picked up chicken nuggets on the way, and we were off to the park. Asher hasn't been feeling well all weekend. The gastro virus that he had a while back flared up again...grrrr. But, he is starting to feel better, and I think he enjoyed himself.

Here's some of the boys playing...





Jaden playing in the water and Asher contently watching...


Jaden drenched...

Asher is mad at me bc I took him stroller and all through the water...LOL

Jaden had me take off his shirt bc it was "ucky"...

Odds & Ends

Falling Asleep

Fallen Asleep

Posing...self dressed..LOL