A Second...No, Wait...Third Career??

Most know that our family enjoys the benefits and challenges of owning a commercial and residential painting company. Some of you know that last year we started up a (not really going) small pump repair business. Well, the Lord has now opened an unexpected door for us during these quiet winter months.

David started working part time on a project for a local CPA firm. Through that opportunity, we've chosen to revive David's education and experience in accounting. Starting late this month, or early next (depending on when the curriculum arrives), David will begin studying, once again, to sit for the CPA Exam this year. It's been many, (ummm....close to 12), years since he's worked on anything relating to the exam, so it's going to be a challenging year, for sure. Not only will he need to get in approximately 540 hours of study to prep for the exam, he will be working part time for the firm to gain the rest of the hours he needs to meet the CPA qualifications as well. 

In the meantime, he'll be working hard to keep our painting company afloat, which is our bread and butter as far as income goes.

We look forward to this opportunity. We foresee some great possibilities for our family that owning both the painting business and an accounting firm will provide. We look forward to seeing all that the Lord holds in store for us as we move forward bit by bit. I am excited to see the children observe their amazing Daddy as he gives his all, once again, to follow the Lord when the task appears daunting.

It's going to be a crazy ride!! Please keep us in your prayers as we all work hard to support David, adjust our schedules, and trust the Lord each step of the way.

Thank you for joining us in prayer over this!!

The Fam Goes To Town

Big shopping day today!

Wholesale Club:
Produce
Sour cream
Cottage cheese
Cream cheese
Butter
Eggs
Breakfast sandwiches (need a cheat day sometimes, right?)
Chips
Salsa
Honey
Shirts for Hubby
Socks for Wifey

Subway:
Lunch :-)

Stuff-Mart:
Hygiene products
Canned goods
Cat food
Diapers
Storage bags
Socks & underclothes for kids
Preschool game and Play-doh...FUN!
Bday gift for someone turning 9 very soon ;-)
Bananas for snacks

Pet-Mart:
Gerbil ball :-P

Food-Mart:
Yogurt
Paper products
Fresh produce
Frozen fruit
Baby snacks
Gum for Mommy to share :D

Office-Mart:
Printer Ink

Papa & Grandma's House:
Tea
Snuggles
Lots of love  <3 <3

Home again, home again...Jiggety-Jig.

So thankful for stocked shelves and a full fridge. :D

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

A Little Snow...A Little Fun

Had us a nice Snow Day this week...

Clean up isn't so bad...

But, PLAYING in the snow is way more fun!



Three Kings' Night

Every year our Christmas celebration comes to an end on January 6th with our traditional, Three Kings' Night. Each year it looks a little different, but it's always centered around the visit the Magi made to the family of Jesus in Bethlehem, as told in the book of Luke. 

We enjoy a play of some sort put on by the children telling the story and open our stocking gifts. (this comes from the older traditions of the kings leaving gifts for children in their shoes or stockings on their journey to find Jesus)

This year, the children put on a live performance, complete with theatre snacks...

The full cast...

Miss Verity~Grace held the role of Toddler Jesus this year...

Each stocking holds three gifts, each representing the gifts of the Magi: Gold (gold wrapped candies), Frankincense (bath soaps for the girls and hair gel for the boys), and Myrrh (notebooks for church, highlighters for marking in bibles).

And a "J" for Jesus. :-)

This is always a fun evening and wonderful way to wrap up the Christmas season. We started this tradition way back when we just had 3 children. It's been so fun to watch it grow with them. They've really taken it on and made it their own special night.

Back to School!

We had a great day. :-)

I mean, A Really Great Day...

I mean, an I Can't Remember Having Such a Great School Day kind of day...

Okay, well...these helped...

But, our new school room and routine works very well. Can you tell how surprised I am?

I still have some challenges with the Littles. But, they did enjoy their play cubby for a while...

I forgot to take more photos.  We started a bit late, so lunch didn't happen until after 1pm. But, when you're not watching the clock, that can happen. ;-) 

Our menu:

Breakfast - Oatmeal, bananas, raisins and grapefruit for Momma

Lunch - Taco Lentils w/ rice (waiting for us in the crockpot when we came up for lunch),

chips, cheese, salsa, fresh cut carrots, broccoli, cherry tomatoes & dip

Dinner - Salad, spaghetti, green beans, & venison sausage

(all made by my wonderful husband! ::swoon:: )

Our individual and family devotions were a blessing. We got in our morning and afternoon exercise. All lessons scheduled to be done by lunch were done by lunch. The baby napped all through our morning lessons. My oldest wrote a lovely poem that made me tear up. My family *applauded* me at the dinner table for having had such a wonderful day. (no, seriously!)  And I ended the day having coffee out with friends.

Seeeeee???? I told you it was a Really Great Day! :D

A few squeaks still need some oiling: We need to get started on lessons a bit earlier. I need to find some more things to keep the little ones busy during lessons. I have to be sure to get in some reading time with them after lunch. And, we need to not forget our daily cleaning chore tomorrow. (ahem)

None of that deters me from basking in the gift of such a precious day with my family. I began the day tired as all get out, not having had a very good night sleep-wise. Yet, I prayed the Lord would multiply his grace and peace in our home and he certainly did! Praise the Lord for all He does. Every good gift is certainly from his hand.

I hope everyone else enjoyed a great day Back to School!

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord," 2 Peter 1:2



A Poem to Share

Bible Time

Long before the sun lights the sky the older half of my family and I, are awakened by a soft touch or word, which is my Daddy's gentle hand or voice calling us to our time with the Lord.

With selfish thoughts and sleepy steps I somehow arrive downstairs, but within moments idle thoughts disappear as I offer up my silent prayers.

Now, with a clear mind I read His word , and find many insights from it. So true to His promise He gives me the strength and will to carry these things with me, rather than giving up with a forefit.

After another prayer we take time to share what we have been tought, then others ask questions, after some quiet thought. Which we sometimes struggle to answer.

Last of all we pray together bringing ours and the pititions of others to Him. Meanwhile our king in Heaven listens to and watches these events and I believe his heart is bursting with joy.

Our King of kings, and Father of fathers.

 

by Elizabeth M.

age 13

The Brainery and an Invitation for a Blog-along

For Christmas, we put together a new school room for the children.

(they thought it was the coolest!)

It's been dubbed, "The Brainery".

(neat posters, huh? Got them free from the Ranger's Station when they were closing up for the winter. :D )

This is where you'll find us hanging out tomorrow since we are Back To School!!!

(Littles play rug - I hope this works...I hope this works...I hope this works...)

Invitation:
Any of my bloggy friends out there starting up school again tomorrow? Would you care to post pics and details of your first day back at the books? I'm thinking it may be a fun way to get rolling again and we'd love to peek at how school looks at your house. :-)

I'll plan to take some pics, post our menu and maybe even get some of the kiddos to type out their writing assignments for the day. Please share what your day looks like, too!  Leave a comment here to let me know you're joining in so I won't miss your post. :-D