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.