God Provides

"My God shall supply all my needs..."

I continue to be impressed by God. He keeps finding new ways to show us that He will provide for us. Jeff's been out of work for nine months now and our bills are still paid and food is still on the table. He has used a lot of people to meet our needs and even many of our wants. We've had gift cards, checks and cash show up in the mail or at the door, many anonymously and some very large. We've had Christmas gifts given, restaurant meals paid for and so many other things. Most recently we've found some amazing sales combined with coupons to keep us stocked in things like cereal and crackers, and today a doctor friend called in an antibiotic for me (sinus related infection) so that I wouldn't have to pay for an appointment at our doctor's office.

To all the friends and family who have helped us, thank you. I hope that we will be able to pass the blessings on to others at some point.

Day Off

The flower shop was closed today, so vacation day for me!! Woo-hoo! We slept in, Jeff made bacon and eggs for breakfast and before we knew it our lazy morning was creeping into afternoon. The boys asked me if today would be a good day to go to the mall to use the Build-a-Bear gift cards they got for Christmas and I thought it was a good idea. So the three of us headed out to join all the other people at the mall who had today off. :) We went straight to Build-a-Bear where we had a great time picking out new animals, filling them, and choosing their clothes/accessories. If you've never been to B-a-B it is really cute and the kids love it.

My favorite part of the trip though was at Childrens' Place after B-a-B. I got a few great deals and paid with a gift card that was also from Christmas. I loved that, but it wasn't the best part. The best part was when Trey was asking me something at the cash register and I told him he needed to go back to where he'd been sitting with Roman and I'd be done in a minute. He kept talking and I told him that we would take care of it in a minute, "right now I need obedience". He promptly turned (with a good attitude even!) and went back to where Roman was until I was done. Great moment. What made it even better was when the cashier looked at me and said "Wow. I wish I could get that to work!"

My kids aren't perfect, but they are fantastic for sure. I'm so proud of them. :)

Snow Fun

Columbus has gotten a record amount of snow this year! Today I got to go out and enjoy it. It was finally above 30 degrees and it was my day off. The boys and I went out and had a blast sledding and playing. Trey did point out that we should've built a snowman, but maybe there'll be time for that before it's gone.

Nala has always loved the snow and she was thrilled to be out with us. She and Marley ran all over the place, and I threw several snowballs for her. I'm very amused with throwing them up in the air for her, she'll launch herself up in the air to grab and smash them.

It's been a great day off!

Good-Bye Christmas

Christmas got packed up yesterday. I wasn't ready to say good-bye. It seems like each year I've been enjoying getting wrapped up in the Christmas season more and more. Usually by now I'm ready to have my house back from the tree and decor, but I wasn't feeling that way yet. However, I do have limits - even in my holiday mood, and the chaos and clutter and pine needles piled beneath the tree had to be sorted and put away (or vacuumed). So away it all went. The new toys, all the ornaments, stockings and nativity. I considered one more morning of Christmas music, but listening to it while packing everything away didn't seem right. So instead I made a game of packing the (non-breakable) ornaments with the boys and got it done. I was relieved to have the space in the living room again, and it's exciting to say good-bye to 2009 and venture deeper into the new year to see what lies ahead.

I know what lies ahead this weekend... lots and lots of flowers. We're preparing for our booth at the big bridal show this weekend and it has us BUSY. It will make for a long, exhausting few days but it will also be a lot of fun... and include cake tastings!

Organize Schmorganize

This book, Organize Schmorganize, was written by one of my oldest, dearest friends. Amy Kauffman and I grew up together (she wasn't Amy Kauffman then, but I wasn't Carla Brackman either!) in NY and our families are still close. I'm so proud of her for publishing this great book. It's a quick easy read (I just finished reading it) packed full of organizational tips for the average person or family. I consider myself a pretty organized person already, but I was able to pick up some great new ideas from her book as well. I love her tip of "touch mail only once". One of my worst areas are those two spots in the kitchen where mail (and other papers) pile up. Ick. I think I'll try to touch the mail only once and not let it pile up.

The book is full of Amy's personality - lighthearted and energetic. By the end of the book you'll feel like you're old friends with her too!

The only tip she may never get me to follow is shortening my showers. Sorry Aim, but I love my semi-long, hot showers!

2010

Happy New Year!

We had a great holiday season! I was pretty sad when we decided we wouldn't be able to go home to NY during the Christmas season as we have for the past several years. That meant not seeing my family, including the brother, sis-in-law and four nieces and nephews that I haven't seen in a year, and the little nephew who just had his first birthday. It is what it is though, and we really enjoyed our time anyway. My in-laws came down for a few days Christmas week and spoiled us; taking us out to dinner and cooking at home for us. We celebrated Christmas and just had a lot of fun. They they took the boys up to NY with them while Jeff and I stayed home. I worked during that week but enjoyed time with Jeff in the evenings and quiet mornings of coffee and hot showers. Then my parents came down New Years day, bringing the boys home with them. I was so happy to see all of them! We had fun doing a little shopping, playing games and, again, going out to dinner!

While the new year started a few days ago, tomorrow feels like the beginning since it'll be getting back to "normal" routines. I loved the whole holiday "life" we've been living for the past couple of weeks, but I'm ready for some normalcy.

As for 2010, I'm pretty excited to see what it holds!