Taking a Break

I am going to be taking a break from blogging for a couple of weeks. I realized this week how much I have to get done and how little time I have to do it and something had to go. So, for grocery deals, I would point you to the grocery gathering
where you can find several choices for the stores you shop at.

As far as family updates, that is just going to be put on hold.

To give you an idea of what I am trying to get on top of in the next 3 weeks:

I am now working about 30 hours a week
I have 20 weeks of lesson plans for grades K-7 to plan for the 1 day a week school I am teaching at.
I have to put together a school schedule for my kids for the days I am away.
I am still trying to figure out if I can do girl scouts and plan for that.

Life is a little overwhelming. Pray for me.

First Day on the Job and Everyone Survived

That's right, I left my kids for 7 hours today with their daddy and everyone did fine. My first day was nothing too tremendous. It was actually pretty monotonous. I was only trained on one thing. So, for 5 1/2 hours, I attached tags to clothes. Sounds fun, doesn't it? I'm sure that will get better with time. Tomorrow, I work from 4 - close. I'm interested to see how different the night shift is.

When we told my kids about me starting work the other day, they didn't seem too phazed. In fact, Jordan was happy that mommy wouldn't try to kiss him when he gets hurt anymore (BREAK my heart!!). But, I did get to see the love today. Jordan actually told me he was going to miss me and gave me a great big hug. Sydney kept telling me not to leave and that she was going to go with me. Avery (the quiet one) just kept giving me big hugs and telling me she loved me. Morgan seemed to care less :) Oh, those oldest children always have it all together, don't they? Well, daddy actually found out throughout the day that she missed her mom. I can't believe she admitted it, but she did.

So, it was hard leaving them today, but not nearly as hard as making the decision last week. I didn't even cry this morning. I was calm and collected.

Thank you, Lord, for your provision. It may not look the way I envisioned, but your plan rarely does.

Where Did That Money Come From?

Cory has been extremely fortunate to work with his company an extra month than what he thought. So, tomorrow is his official "last day". They have been so helpful in making this time easier and doing anything they can to ease the burden.
One of the nice things about having 8 weeks notice to the end of your job is the amount of time you have to prepare and plan. So, since early in December, we have been operating on a VERY tight budget. Just when you think you can't cut back anymore, you find ways.
It has been amazing to see the way that God continues to bless us. In fact, last night Cory and I were talking over all this and we realized a couple of things:

1) We have a savings account. We haven't had one of those to speak of since we started having kids.
2) We have more in our savings account than we ever have before.
3) We can't really account for even half of that money. I'm sure I could go back week by week and see how God did it. But, off the top of my head, I really don't know.
4) We just did our taxes and we will be able to add a considerable amount to that savings.
5) There are already 4 different side jobs that have been offered to Cory. He has this amazing ability to do just about anything that is needed in a home.
6) We have been able to pay all our bills.
7) I am applying for financial assistance with the hospital for the $5,000 bill we incurred in November. If we are accepted, they will basically wipe out the bill except for $100.
8) We have learned how to keep our grocery bill low enough to feed our family on very little.

So, as we enter this time of uncertainty, it is so neat to see the way the Lord is already providing. I know He has something specific He wants me to learn. I know that He wants to draw me closer to Him during this time. I just pray that I am willing.

I Survived the First Day Teaching!

Well, today was the first official day of school at my new job. I think it went very well. The kids did great and had a blast.
The biggest thing we realized today was that we don't have enough planned. Projects we thought would take 45 minutes, only took 15. Hmmm... that leaves you with a lot of down time. Don't worry though, we had plenty of coloring sheets, notebooks, scissors and glue to make up for it.

Other than one kid trying to eat glue and cut her own hair and one set of brothers getting into a small fist fight, things went without incident.

Well, there was the one boy who had to be reminded to take his hand out of his pants at least 30 times throughout the day.
Would you expect anything less? Looking forward to another week of 15 different personalities.

Mrs. L (that's what I'm called - I am so the cool teacher!)