Starting to Swag

I read about the benefits of using Swagbucks, so I have been trying it out. So far, things are working out good. I already bought a $25 gift card for restaurants.com, where I will save even more money. Things are looking good!

Growing Again

So yesterday Jaden announces that she thinks that she grew an inch. "I know that I growing an inch...I can feel it!" She is such an amazing little girl. I am often amazed by her views on life, her optimism, her encouragement, and her eccentric personality. I am incredibly blessed to have such a delightful little girl. I love you, Jaden!

Jehovah Sneaky

So Charles comes home from work yesterday and we talk for a few minutes and then tells me to sit down because he has some news. He was laid off from work. Ugh! I was calm at first, but then started to worry and decided I must find a job right away. Eventually Charles tells me to lay off and pray about it first. Neither of us knew what to do.

So, this older gentleman from across the street knocks on our door and spends a lot of time chatting with Charles about an old barn we have. They talked for quite a while, and Charles never mentioned his work situation. The man told Charles about how they survived the depression and that his dad's words of wisdom was not "never work for someone else. Always work for yourself." Hmmm....

Later last night we were in Jaden's room saying our night time prayers. Jaden prayed for Charles: "Father God please heal Daddy's hand so that it doesn't hurt anymore and give him a new job. Amen." Such a sweet simple prayer. While she was still praying, Charles phone starts rining. When Charles called the number back, he found it was a friend whom sends work his way occasionally. Charles just finished one job, and the man was pleased and referred him to a friend. Long story short, Jonathan gave him leads to 2 new jobs. Immediate answer to prayer!

So this morning he goes in to work and they tell him that they did not want to let him go. He and another crew were the last hired, so company policy is that they are first to go. However, they plan on letting more crews go as well. They said that when they need to rehire Charles will be the first they call. So, they tell him that they get a lot of leads for side jobs. They want to send him the extra work. They called him this afternoon with a few jobs to bid! So, in one day, he has 5 new leads! Wow! It's about $7,000 worth of work! Jehovah Sneaky. We were blindsided, but God was already working on our behalf and making provision. He is so good!

Fishing Fun!

We went fishing last Sunday with my dad. The kids had so much fun! We tried to fish for perch with cheese, but the perch weren't biting. However, Charles caught one big sand bass and my dad caught 3 small ones. The kids enjoyed playing with the fish in the ice chest. We filled it full of lake water so the fish could swim around. Fun times!

However, we did have one incident. While my dad was loading the boat onto the trailer, Sloan was sitting up high on the seat. When my dad missed the trailer and had to pull backwards, Sloan did a front flip into the water. We weren't expecting that! He didn't hurt himself, but was seriously concerned about being eaten by the fish in the water! LOL. Such a cutie. Glad there were no injuries. We're looking forward to a summer full of fun on the lake. Thanks Dad, for buying an awesome boat! Here are some pics from our trip:

Goofy Sloan

I just found this video when cleaning up files. He is too cute. Had to preserve this memory.

Sloan's Salvation

Friday night, on Christmas Eve, Charles and I were driving around with the kids in the car. Sloan starts asking about where Jesus is. Charles said that He is in Heaven, but he is also in our hearts. He asked Sloan, "Have you ever asked Jesus to live in your heart?" Sloan said, "no." So Charles replied, "Well, lets pray to ask Him in!" So Sloan prayed to have Jesus and the Holy Spirit to come live in his heart.

He has been surprisingly docile since then! I think God is at work within his little heart. I pray that both of my kids would serve the Lord all the days of their lives. I am so thankful that both of my children have made the decision to follow Christ at young ages: Sloan 3 and Jaden 4. I am blessed to have such wonderful kids!

Jaden's Graduation

Jaden graduated from Pre-K a couple of weeks ago. She was so cute! She came marching in the gym with her little hat and tassle. She sang a few songs and then got to have her picture made with her teacher. After graduation we went to her classroom and recieved a box full of treasures that she had been collecting all year. She has really excelled in school, which comes as no surprise. She has always been a bright child. She has a passion for learning that I hope she will cling to all of her life.