A Weekend Recap

If you have been paying attention, you will notice that I am writing two posts in a row.  I guess that is what happens when the blog bug hits and also realizing that there are things from April that I still want to post! For now I will recap this long, holiday weekend.

On Thursday, I took a half day from school to watch Vani in her music program.  She was very excited about it and after going to it, I can see why.  Her music teacher is amazing and the kids put on a great program.  She even wore a T-shirt like she told me she was going to because "they are going to be moving a lot!".

 Can you tell she noticed the camera?

On Friday I hit the road for some camping in High Valley.  It was cold, snowy but very beautiful.  I had a great time hanging out with some of my teacher friends and their families.

 Susie, me and Anne

The boys

I was originally planning on camping the entire weekend, but then a special little girl told me she was getting baptized on Sunday.  Nothing could stop me from coming back early to watch this amazing profession of faith.  I packed my bags Sunday morning and came back into town to be a part of this special day.

 How great it is to be baptized by your own dad!

I am so proud of you Ella!

The rest of the weekend has been filled with movies, a new recipe and cleaning.  Now it is time to finish the school year strong and begin making plans for the summer!

Sleeping Over

I would like you to meet three of my favorite house guests...

Josiah, Vani and Ella

I LOVE when these three get to come over and play with me.  Since buying my house, I try to have these guys over as much as everyone's schedules allow.  Josiah "loves my house and it loves him back".  The kids are comfortable at my house and we all sleep great!  

This sleepover was filled with my school carnival, Tangled and popcorn on Friday night.  On Saturday we played Sequence, video games, stayed in pj's until 2 and then played some more.

 

 Vani was the only one still asleep

Starting the day off with video games

 

 Still more video games playing

Playing school in one of the bedrooms

I love these kids more than they can know and I am filled with joy when they spend such fun and precious time with me.

Living Debt Free

A few months ago, I was able to pay off my student loans from college.  It was a proud moment, filled with hard work, long hours and tears, but I can happily say that I am debt free with the exception of my house.  It wasn't one of those things I threw on my facebook status because I didn't want it to sound like bragging.  In the weeks that followed, I kept getting the happy bubble welling up in my chest that I accomplished a big financial goal.

By accomplishing that goal, it also caused me to reflect on how God has provided for me.  The biggest provision is how I am already living debt free regardless of my financial state.  Jesus humbled himself on the cross for me and you, taking the sin of the world upon his shoulders.  How humbling it is to be reminded of that self-less act and the daily thanks I need to be giving for my free gift of eternal life.  I also started reviewing my journey of my adulthood so far and realized that the plan God has for me does have a purpose, even if it is to pay off undergrad loans!  I lived at home through college and even my first year of teaching (part time teachers don't make much) and I put up with the teasing that came along with that.  But, when the time came, I was able to skip the renting phase and purchase a home when the housing market was at a pretty low point.  Since then, God has continued to provide for me.

"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?"  Matthew 6:26