The Adventure Continued

     I am writing this at 3am because my cat Bella woke me up and I couldn't go back to sleep.  I knew I have needed to write for a while but my daily tasks seem to take precedence and blogging seems to be rolled to the next day, every day. So I have this free time to think and write.
     During the summer, we took many trips to the beach and had family and friends come to visit. Shane and Eric has taken two opportunities to scuba dive and has really enjoyed that together. They have seen all kinds of wildlife like turtles, octopus, seahorses, crabs, urchins, sea anemones, lots of fish of course, and jellyfish.  Everyone but me now has snorkel gear, it's just a matter of time. And of course, we bring home shells every time we go.Sometimes time goes so fast I block out things that have happened. Being here a just a few months and we have done so much.  I look back on the pictures and think, "I forgot to write about that!"
For spring break, Gabrielle had her friend Emily and family come visit for the week from Longview, TX.  Gabrielle was so lonely for her friends. I am so thankful for phones, facebook and texting so we all can stay in touch! We also decided to adopt some cats.  We found a local Kattery and adopted 2 kittens and 1 adult cat. However, the two kittens were very ill and we thought we could love them back to health. They didn't and we ended up having to put them to sleep to they would suffer.  The adult cat seemed to be fine so we named her Bella.  She is doing great! We ended up finding another place to adopt a momma and her kitten(maddie and snowflake). Unfortunately, they are still all trying to get usto each other, however, we love them all and it is so nice to have animals in our home now.
     I was able to get Austen into counseling. He is learning how to destress and getting ready to go back to public school setting. The school is one of the highest rating in the state. We met the guidance counselor, who helped us register for school and walked us through the school.
     Gabrielle and I also visited a small church called Friendship Baptist Church. The church was commissioned just a couples weeks later. Everyone is so nice and there a lot of opportunity to serve. I have already joined in greeting, facilitating in block parties as well as going on a mission trip to New Orleans. I also went to youth camp as a chaperon at Crossroads in N.C. That was great! 
     Shane's taxi cab job got old...quick. Oh I was praying hard for something else. The sleeping schedule was horrible, the pay was feast or famine. Don't get me wrong, it was a blessing that it was something and I am grateful that the Lord allowed something for Shane to do. Thankfully, Shane got a job as a case worker for a non profit organization called Family Promise.  He works with homeless families through Interfaith Housing Network (IHN) and they have a program that extends from that to temporary housing and transitional housing to get families back on their feet.  He loves it. He works with a director and a board of directors. Since the organization is non-profit, they have chosen not to be grant funded which only means they run strictly on donations. With that to say, the pay isn't good. We feel this is where God wants Shane. We love the program and I am looking for ways to volunteer. We ask for your prayers and trust the Lord that he will continue to provide our way financially.
     I am slowly building my clientele for my May Kay business. I have applied for jobs just thinking that if I could at least work part time to supplement until my business was at profit level then we would be financially be ok. But I have been turned down for so many jobs and others that I've applied for I don't even get a interview.  I have taken that as my answer from God that he doesn't want me to work outside of the home. I have to remind myself daily that God is in control and if I am doing my part, he can do his. I have taken on the secretary position with the PTO at Austen's school, leading the women's ministry at church, and sub for a church preschool. I really enjoy being home and taking care of my family.
     Austen celebrated his birthday by taking him to waffle house, beach time, and gifts. His good friend, Colton, from Longview came to spend the week with him. The schools for the kids ended well. Gabrielle did take summer school.  She didn't have to but it was recommended so that she wouldn't lose her momentum going into the fourth grade.  It was good because it also kept her busy.She had her eyes checked and now has glasses, she is so excited. She did, however, lose them after one week of having them. So, we are waiting for the second pair to come in. Both the kids were hesitant for school to start, however, now that we are several weeks into it, they both are eager to go everyday.  Austen has transitioned well! The Lord worked it out for Austen to have PE for 6th period (which was a big stresser because of changing clothes). If he wants he can just stay in his PE clothes because its the last class of the day. He is taking band(playing the trombone), honors Algebra (high school credit) and advanced science. So far, he has had time to do his homework at school and just relaxes in the evening. Gabrielle also just a few days ago (Friday night) was at her friends house and while messing around fell face first into a very hard surface and chipped her front two teeth. Huge chips that have expose nerves. Not sure what is going to happen with that yet since it happened over the weekend. So thankful she didn't have any other facial damage. I have to say I'm surprised at how well I didn't react! I'm learning from Shane not to freak out about stuff anymore.
     My brother Eric got a job at a hospital in Pensacola and we have found a perfect little house for he and mom to rent.  It is less than 15 minutes away from where we live. They are in the process of moving in and should be settled by October.

On the move...again

We finished the race! At least the first marathon of school. We had a wonderful experience of Shane graduating.  We had many friends and family from all over come and join the celebration. After the ceremony, we had a reception at our church that was so wonderful.  Our friends in Longview have been so supportive and dear to us.

I had been packing and getting rid of stuff for months and once we decided where we were moving, we started applying for jobs.  We had originally planned to move to Bradenton, FL where two of my brothers lived, however, with time crunching and no jobs or a home to move to, we felt that maybe it was not where God wanted us.  We did seek the counsel from our pastor, and then decided to move back to my home town of Pensacola, FL.  Why Florida you may ask?  I was really getting a sense to be closer to my family. And Shane really wanted to be close to the beach! Shane and the family headed out a week after graduation,December 16,2011.  I had planned on leaving at the end of the year but I had to fulfill my obligation to my job.  You see, I had worked really hard to earn a bonus and I couldn't leave or I would forfeit the bonus and that would have been foolish! So I had the pleasure of staying with three different, wonderful friends and I left Longview on January 28,2012.  Our family was separated for Christmas but I went down for the weekend of New Years. They had presents waiting for me and I took each family member out each night to spend one on one time with each of them.  I really didn't have much time to miss them with wwork and all but by the time end of January came even I was missing my family( which was 6 weeks separation).
Shane and I had been job hunting the whole time and nothing has confirmed.  The unfortunate realization of a Bachelor Degree in his field (psychology/counseling) is that it means nothing until you have achieved your Masters. This has been discouraging but he has started his Masters program and is a "cabbie" at night(that's the name of someone who drives a taxi cab). There are many jobs out there but because there are so many applicants as well, most applicants are sifted through with those you already have their Masters. We pray that a door will open very soon for an opportunity to get a entry position in his field.  I on the other hand prayerfully decided to start my Mary Kay business.  I really love teaching about skin care and hope that I can minister to women.  I have to say that my true passion is in missions and if God can help me use skin care products to reach women (and men) then so be it.
During the Christmas holidays, we had contemplated where to live and I kept asking for prayer from my friends. Word got around ( at a Christmas party) and one thing led to another and we met a couple in Marshall, TX-30 minutes away from Longview who had a house they were trying to sell in Milton,FL-30 minutes away from Pensacola. How about that! We negotiated and asked if we could rent the house for a year with the option to buy.  They agreed and we moved in February 1st. We LOVE the house, the neighborhood, the schools, and the town! The house was vacant for four years, so there is a lot of work to the yard.  I just finished deep cleaning the inside of the house and each week I haul another truck load of debris to the landfill. I love working in the yard, its so theraputic!
Gabrielle had a hard time adjusting to school.  She was about six months behind plus with her dyslexia, she struggled with all the homework.  She is now doing well, the teachers are great and have been working hard to get her caught up.  The state testing is over and things are much more relaxed.
Austen's Florida Virtual school has been quite challenging as well.  They expect a whole lot more out of him.  He grumbles and complains but He gets it done.  He will be attending Avalon Middle school next year in 8th grade.  We also are in the process of having him diagnosed with Aspergers. We have always known his differences like texture and temperature issues, people issues, food issues, etc.  But we thought they were normal kids issues but as he has gotten older, the issues have become bigger. Asperger is under the Autism spectrum and they say no two "aspies" are alike. Austen is considered high-functioning but stresses easily with certain surroundings or situations. We face different challenges all the time but we are getting help and joined a support group. Lots of prayers are requested.
My mothers has continued to live with our cousin.  They are close in age and enjoy the same things so it has worked out well.  My brother Eric has moved back as well and is staying with us until an apartment comes open for he and mom to become roommates. 
    

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Wow, our time is almost done here and when we first begun we thought that it would take forever.  Let me take you back to the last post and fill you in on our time for the past few months.
I wrote last when I was on leave from work for my surgery. I ended up having to take a total of 4 weeks off from work. I am so glad I did it, I feel so much better. The hot flashes were crazy and irritating. I couldn't sleep, so I did get a low dose of hormone therapy.  No problems as long as I remember to take them.  I give praise to God for the success.

We finished up the spring with Austen playing soccer.  It was a great experience and he had a great soccer coach that was patient and easy going.  They ended in 4^th place.  The kids went to Boys Ranch to see their grandparents during spring break. I had to work and Shane worked on school. It was nice because Shane and I could be alone for a little bit.

In June, we traveled to Killeen, TX. for Shane’s cousins’ wedding. I had my first experience to seeing the bad fires.  As we drove, the fires were just burning on the side of the road and in the fields.  Everything was charred.  It was over 100 degrees and the wedding was outside. It was still beautiful and then we went inside for the reception.  We also celebrated Austen’s birthday.  We invited his friend Colton and we all went to Six Flags for the day. We got there right when it opened and stayed until closing. Austen’s favorite ride is the Titan.

My dad went ill and had edema in his leg, my step mom had eye surgery and my little brother Brian had blood clots in one of his legs.  This happened all at once and I had an overwhelming desire to go help them. So we all packed up and headed to Georgia.  We spent a week there. I cleaned house and cooked, Shane fixed and repaired things in the house.  Dad and I went and had pedicures, Brian was able to get out of the hospital but was not out of the clear for another couple of weeks. My dad went to the doctor and found out his leg had a cyst that rupture in his leg causing blood to pool behind his knee.  It was very painful.  My step mom, Gail, had a hole in part of her eye causing her to have depth perception problems and cloudiness.  She had eye surgery and had to sit, lay and walk with her head staying face down 24/7 for several weeks. But as our time there was ending, she was able to sit up for short periods. She is back to work and doing much better. While we were there we did take a day to have some fun and we went to the Coke-cola Museum.  That was very cool! We tried all the sodas made all over the country, watched a 4-D movie and bought a few souvenirs.

Even though Shane had to continue school for the summer, He and the kids did come to my work to swim. They also went bowling several times and Austen likes going to Books-a-Million to sit and read for hours.

 Of course August we started school again. Shane did what’s called practicum. This is where he works in a intern setting as a student to get hands on experience while getting credit hours. This week, he will finish up two jobs. One is for the VOW doing premarital education. The other is for the East Texas Medical Center for the behavioral and mental center working in group sessions. He has really enjoyed both areas of work and has learned a lot.  Austen is still doing online home school and doing well. He has many portfolios to do and he continues to progress faster than the teachers like.  He also has live lessons on Fridays where he can virtually see his teacher and other students in his class. He is taking sign language which I’m excited about.  Gabrielle was officially tested and diagnosed with dyslexia. She is pulled out of regular class every day and has several teachers that work with her.  Her teachers have made accommodations and she is doing very well. Her reading continues to get easier for her and her math skills are coming along great.  When she started school, everyone had a timed test and she only made it through half the test which gave her a failing grade. After the 2^nd six weeks she not only completed the test but she only missed three, giving her a 97.  We are so proud of her!

My work has been steady and I was pleased to get a good evaluation with a nice raise.  I have been working really hard to reach a goal of High Achievers. I have been close a couple of times.  We have had some big resident activities this year. My favorite that I launch each year is our Texas Against Crime event in October. This year we decided to have a volleyball tournament. I was able to promote three teams. I had shirts made for a Police team, Fire team, and Regency Park team.  I also went around to businesses and got door prizes donated and got vendors we work with to donate money for the winning team.  It ended up being a great success! The State Representative showed up, we had a fire truck come and several police officers and fireman.   Many of the residents came and the Regency Park team won the game!

Now that it is November, our time is very close to the end here in Longview, TX.  We have started packing and looking for jobs and planning our move to Bradenton, FL.  I have two brothers, Victor and Eric that live there.  Shane wants to do his master program at Argosy University.  We are planning Shane’s graduation which is December 10^th , go to grandma and grandpa Nation Christmas on December 11^th, then get the moving truck on Dec 15^th. We will pack everything and then Shane, the kids and my mom will head to Pensacola, Fl on the 16^th.  My mom is going to stay with Carolyn Bush, a family/ friend until we can find a house to buy.  However, they will drop off furniture and stuff there and mom will carry on to Bradenton with Shane and kids until after Christmas.  I will stay in Longview and continue working until Shane has found a job. That way we have a steady income during the transition. This of course is plan B, our prayer is that something will come up for me and Shane before the move so we don’t have to be separated.

My mom has stayed relatively healthy, we were able to get her a large flat screen TV for her birthday, and she is very happy to have purchased a lift chair.  She also was able to attend the annual Encore retreat with all her church friends.

 I am writing this while we are traveling back from spending Thanksgiving with Shane’s siblings (and families) and parents. Everyone was there except Jill and Joel and kids who are still in Africa.  Mom and her friend Karen came along and we all had fun playing games, hiking, and taking lots of pictures.

March 2011

Well, thinking back on our life since last October. I really thought I had updated before now. Last thanksgiving and Christmas was enjoyed at home. Since we had so much fun traveling during the summer, I didn't have any more vacation time to go any where for the holidays. It was still a nice family time. We decorated the house and opened presents. Austen asked for money and was saving up for the 3D-ds handheld gaming item. However, we went to a local pet store and he fell in love with the ferrets. We then asked our landlord if we could have a caged animal. He approved with no deposit. We are now owners of a white ferret named "wink". Our nice neighbor had connections, so Austen only had to pay for the used caged and buy food. These critters are quite expensive to get set up, but Crystal our neighbor was kind enough to find us one they had for awhile. Wink is not out first choice by no means for a pet. He is funny to watch and doesn't take too much to take care of. Of course the cleaning of the cage is the most challenging for the kids. Even my mom enjoys watching scurry around the house during his free time. We have to keep him bathed quite often or is name changes to "stinky winky".

We spent new years with our friends Matt and Rebecah Simcox. Played games and ate. The kids were introduced to konnex, an interactive game that can recognize by a sensor where you are and then move the characters on the screen. It is fun to be able to go have fun with friends and the kids are old enough to come along and stay up late with out any consequences the next day.

January 2011. A time to reflect and plan. Shane and I had already planned that I would have a hysterectomy this year and the date was set. Our tax return was going to be used to make sure that everything was paid and we wouldn't have to stress over the bills. We paid off some debt and got a nice new leather sofa/couch and a few other small things we needed like new glasses for Shane and Austen, contacts for me.

I was also going to work on my high achievers at work. My coworkers and I went to our kick off party in Frisco,TX at the Dave and Busters restaurant. It was fun. I've really have learned to appreciate the company I work for and would recommend anyone to work for Venterra Realty. They have great values, make good business decisions. At our Apartment Assoc Christmas party, I was awarded Assistant Manager of the Year. I know how it came about but it looks good on my resume. Working for Venterra has been challenging but also a very good learning experience. I have been challenged with working with many people as a team to get the same thing accomplished. Building relationships with those forced into my world with different lifestyles, beliefs and personalities. God has certainly stretched me and taught me to love, respect, and have humility. Now that I am thinking of moving and will have to look into other companies. I want a company as good as this one. I have a feeling that God will place me in another situation for me to continue to grow and keep learning.

Austen started soccer. He loves it, surprisingly. We are very happy and thrilled and we don't have to fight him to go. Every game he gets better as does the team. They have won one game so far. I also agreed to let him and Shane get a game called Rift. Its an online game that they can play together. Austen is about three weeks ahead of the rest of his class. His homeschooling is going well. It is still challenging but that's good. That is what we wanted.

Gabrielle has been in girl scouts. She meets every other week. We sold cookies and have had a bunch of fun. I have been struggling with whether we should continue. She has fun and its a different set a friends that she can interact with. Her leader is nice, but they aren't really learning anything, so it ends up just being something we do together. I am still wanting to have her try gymnastics. Gabrielle's school wants to officially tested her for dyslexia. I know she has it, its like seeing me as a girl struggling. I can't stand that she got my handicap.

Shane and I celebrated our birthdays. It was so nice. I got valentine flowers and birthday flowers. Then we went to Red Lobster and had dinner. The kids and Shane got me jewelry and perfume. Then for Shane's birthday, we went to Karen's house for a cookout and I surprised Shane with golf clubs.

I continue to help at church in missions committee, club 456, awana, and now I greet newcomers and drive the bus for students once a quarter. Our missions conference was great this year. I really enjoyed the fellowship with the missionaries. This will be my last year in club 456 as Austen will head onto jr high next year. I will eventually phase out of each ministry as we get closer to moving.

Shane is still the married student chaplain at the University. His classes have been quite challenging this semester. He's been studying child counseling and has a class project that includes visiting a children's hospital in Shreveport,La. He has also been taking some management classes including accounting and human resources. So his mind has been stretched but he is still holding onto a good GPA.

My surgery was march 15th. It went well and I was able to go home the next day. I have two weeks off of work and pray the doctor will release me back then. We are blessed with a good church family and they have brought food and sent flowers. The kids have spent the week with Mamaw and Papa (Shane's parents) and Shane went to meet them half way to pick them up today, Mar 18th. All is well in Longview TX.

Falling

I don't really remember September, of course school started and we had some challenges. Austen is alone quite a bit and I don't think He thought about that. He is quite clingy on the days Shane is at school and he's done his homework by noon. Math has been his biggest struggle but he is pulling his grade up from failing to a B. I'm so proud of him. Shane has had classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays this semester so that has been a blessing to have him around more. Gabrielle does seem to have Dyslexia but the school has a great program and she is keeping up and continues to do well. She actually brought home straights A's her first six weeks. I'm so proud of her.

Work is going well. The Lord has been working on me and my attitude. My reviews keep getting better and praise God I got a raise. Its amazing how long it takes to build relationships with those that you are forced to be with for 8 hours a day or more. But I think in my personal situation I'm seeing and feeling a difference. There have been many changes but the crew I work with is great.

Some things I've been learning is that I am valuable to God no matter where I am. I don't have to be a missionary in a far off place for God to use me. Of course I've known that in my head but my heart kept telling me that I need to do more-I'm not worthy-I need to sacrifice more. The verse, " the heart is deceitful of above all things, who can understand it." is a perfect verse for this situation. Over the summer, I worked on a bible study with Austen called Shepherding a Child's Heart. We studied several different topics like trusting God when bad things happen,negative behavior, the connection between our heart and mind. Recently, I've been doing a Beth Moore Bible study on Believing God. Believing that God is who He says He is, God Does what He says He will do, That I am who God says I am, That I can do all things through Christ, and that God's word is alive and active in me. Sometimes its hard to accept these truths, however, its takes a daily effort believe.

October was busy. First off, we celebrated Gabrielle's birthday. Some dear friends at church had us all over to ride horses. Shane and my mom just watched. Gabrielle had a friend over that went with us to ride and then we ate and Gabrielle opened her presents at our favorite pizza place. We then, celebrated our 15th anniversary by going to the Galord Texan in Grapevine, Tx. A beautiful resort. Thoroughly enjoyed the Medieval Dinner Theater. All I can say is Very Cool! Visited the Texas State Fair- ate a fried cheesecake-yummy! And of course the whole reason we went to Dallas is for me to run a 5K run in the Susan G Koman-Race for the Cure. I really didn't think I would do well but I did. God put someone in front of me that was going a good speed and I was able to finish the race in 32minutes 55 seconds. Lastly, We carved pumpkins with the married students at the university, I was in a dunking booth at my work fall festival and raised $174.00 for SGK, went the school carnival and worked in the Farm Fair at church.

Some things that Shane and I are praying about. 1: That we can find out whether we need to stay in Texas for Shane's master program. 2: If we do stay, do we move from this house to somewhere that we can have pets or that the owners will change their mind. 3. I have to have surgery in the spring, that it will resolve all my pain issues.

Memories Made

I didn't mention in my last posting that in June we went to see my father and step-mom. It was a great time. My dad gave testimony of true salvation and him and Gail have been attending church regularly. It joys my heart that prayers are heard and answered. Shane was able to help aroung the house. And I got to see Patrick and Brian, two of my brothers, and celebrate Patricks's and Austen's birthdays. We went to the community pool almost everyday, went to the Chattanooga Aquarium, and a small museum. Another nice thing was Shane and I went on a date. We decided to try a japanese steak house. Of course, you sit with strangers at your table and we got to talking with four guys that owned their own business. By the time it was time to go and pay the bill, one of the four guys had paid our bill. It was such a blessing. We later sent a thank you card.



In August, we headed up to Carl Farley's Boys Ranch for Shane's baby sister's wedding. It was so beautiful. All the nieces and nephews were in the wedding. I will add pictures later. We then, all twenty of us, headed to Surfside, Tx and spent the week at the beach. I wasn't at all that impressed with the beach but I loved the company and the fun we all had. We flew kites, collected shells, went crabbing(and cooked them). I was the only one that liked it enough to eat all the legs-they had a strong fishy taste. We didn't quite prepair them the way we were suppose to. Trying to keep them alive was our biggest challenge. Of course cooking them on a coleman stove outside didn't help. I think somebody went to the store and bought a different water raft or toy everyday. Aaron work very hard at skim boarding and actually stayed on at least a few times. We all tried it but I thought it was too difficult. I was more afraid of falling- the same fear like when your on a skateboard and have no talent. Dad and Michael and Shane fished. They caught a small shark and some other small fish. We played games at night. We even had mom playing mario cart on the wii. One of my favorite times was we were playing mexican train, it was late, and we got to laughing about all kinds of things and then it turned into laughing because we couldn't stop laughing. I thought Jill and dad were going to stop breathing. I also got up early every morning and ran on the beach.



Yes, I am still training for the 5k run. Just a few weeks away and Iwill be running by myself.(nobody I know anyways, there will hundreds of thousands there) This has been a journey in of itself. I decided to run because a friend asked me if I wanted to make the challange. Training has been difficult as well. I've come a long way with time and speed. During the summer I was able to run everyday at the local school track, but now, it stays dark and I don't feel safe running in the dark. I have gone to my work and ran the treadmill but I've noticed that it was much easier than running the track. I then went to some bike trails and ran on the weekends and that was quite a bit more challanging. So, now I do the elipticle every morning for 30 minutes and run on the weekends.

Summer 2010

I really think our hottest time was back in April and May. July and we have been in the mid 90's but it just doesn't seem that hot to me. I've been running and doing Jullian Michael's 30-day shred and alternating with the eliptical for months now. I can definately tell I'm stronger, and thinner but it doesn't take much to go off the healthly diet and feel really crummy. I ran a mile and a half this morning, trying to work up to three miles. I want to run the 5k this October with a friend for Susan G Koman-race for the cure. I noticed this morning that I'm really slow, but I am pacing and not losing my breath or my body seems to go numb after a while. Not sure if thats good or if it matters. Its really a funny kind of feeling because at the same time my body is screaming STOP.

Shane and I have been talking a lot about our future and what God's will would be. We continue to pray for direction. We are both pretty ancious about finishing school and moving. We at this point have settled on moving to Florida. I really feel strongly to be closer to my family. Many reasons , one is that my mom is of course getting older and I think she would enjoy seeing my brothers more often. Second, I heard a series of messages from our pastor that gave a whole new perspective on how to love and build our families and honoring God through obedience. So,
on another note, I have made contact with two other brothers that I haven't talked to for several years and hope that my relationships with my family will become strong.