I have no idea where to begin...

First of all -- no pictures in this entry. Our camera is acting up. :(

I guess my last post was about Labor Day Weekend. Since then A LOT has happened in our lives! I remained unemployed through the month of September...thanks to some great freelance opportunities, I was able to stay busy. I LOVED MY TIME WITH PETER! And he loved it too! Ben and I became quite content with my unemployment actually. It was great to catch up on some projects at home...enjoy time with Peter...run errands during the day in order to see Ben every evening, etc. I never thought I would love being home as much as I did. I am glad I had the opportunity because I am confident in the role of stay-at-home mom/wife, should it become necessary again someday.

So, right when I began to feel comfortable, God came up with an idea to shake things up a bit. Actually I came across a quote the other day...I don't know the source, but here it is:
Don't pray to be comfortable in your emotions. Pray to do the will of God in every situation.
That basically explains the new opportunity that landed in my lap.

I got a call from the pastor of our parish on Sunday, September 27th. He informed me that he had accepted the resignation of an employee of the parish staff. He then proceeded to offer me a job. The job would be Youth Minister, Confirmation Coordinator & Safe Environment Coordinator for Sacred Heart Parish. As he began explaining the responsibilities of the position, I kind of tuned him out and had a revelation in my heart. I came to understand quite suddenly that afternoon that God's Plan for me was greater than I had imagined. I had been going through the motions of unemployment -- starting to believe what the government was implying -- your future is in YOUR hands -- YOU determine when, if, how and who will be your next employer. You are to chase exactly what YOU want until you have obtained it. I had subconsciously accepted my unemployment knowing there was a reason for it. But of course, I didn't have a handle on exactly what that reason was. Until the pastor called me.

So I began work on Thursday, October 1st at Sacred Heart. Man oh man I am loving it! I thought it would be a challenge in the beginning -- but in actuality, there hasn't been one single thing that I haven't had the utmost confidence in accomplishing. I guess that means I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I'm sure there will be challenging days and uncomfortable days ahead -- but I guess that means my work will go on and that God has me exactly where He thinks I should be.

Wow, I guess this post has ended up being a bit longer than I had originally intended. What else is new? Oh, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia around the middle of September. In case you don't know, here is a simple definition:
Fibromyalgia is a common condition characterized by long-term, body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, morning stiffness, sleep problems, headaches, numbness in hands and feet, depression, and anxiety. (Source: Google Health)
There isn't a magic fix for Fibromyalgia...the best medicine is GOOD sleep, healthy eating, exercise & vitamins. A doctor is able to prescribe a non habit forming drug in order to curve the pain during a flare-up. (Flare-ups are caused by stress, changes in the weather, hormonal imbalances, etc) Anyways, I have been having symptoms for around 3 years, not really putting the pieces together. I just figured I was out of shape and overweight -- causing me to be uncomfortable. Those things are apart of it, yes, but the type of pains I have been having doesn't normally afflict the average out-of-shape person. Fibromyalgia has no real cure, but isn't fatal by any means. Just a reminder to stay healthy and take care of one's self. So I guess that's what I have to do!

Well, it's about time to get ready for work (I was up very early this morning for some reason...). Hopefully I will be able to post more often, now that the chaos is settling down in our lives.

What about Ben and Peter, you ask? Ben is doing great. He continues to love his teaching job in Thompson, ND. He rides with 2 other teachers from Grand Forks every morning so he has a fun little carpool going. He attends a men's group/bible study every Wednesday evening and is in a volleyball league on Sunday nights. Peter is still LOVING pre-school. Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday he comes home knowing more than the day before. All the new learning has him excited! He continues to have around 26 hours per week of ABA therapy and he is constantly "improving". Peter has a few quirks -- but they are minor -- unnoticeable to most -- and continues to be a blessing in many people's lives. I feel so blessed to be working in the same place he goes to school. Not many parents are that lucky. A couple recent funnies:

(When getting a new pair of snow boots and a pair of dress shoes on the same day...)
Peter: Look mommy, I have tall shoes and short shoes!

(During Fire Prevention Week)
Mommy: What did you learn in school today?
Peter: STOP -- DROP -- ROCK 'N ROLL

(Leaving the house one morning after the leaves had fallen overnight)
Peter: (Stops in the middle of the garage) We need a rake!
Mommy: We have to go to school...we can rake later.
Peter: No! We gotta get a rake!

I guess that's all I can think of for now. Have a great weekend, everyone! Thanks for stopping by our blog.

Peace.

Labor Day Weekend

We had so much fun this weekend! We spent time at Cass Lake with my folks. The weather was beautiful -- it's been a VERY long time since we have had such a wonderful and relaxing time at the lake. Peter cried really hard when we had to leave. (We were crying on the inside too!)

Here are some photos of a few our adventures...


Peter's first bon-fire and S'mores!


Let's have S'more!


Peter discovered he's not a big fan of sticky fingers...


Grandpa, Daddy & Peter


Getting some water...


and making our own lake!


Striking a pose for Mom!


Building sand castles!


Peter's first time rolling down a hill!


Thank goodness Daddy was willing to participate!

(I think my camera is going bad because some of these pics are a bit blurry...)

Hope you all had as great of a weekend as we did. Goodbye summer...Welcome to Fall!

First Day of Preschool...My heart goes "pitter, patter"

Well it has officially come -- Peter's first day of preschool! He is a Little Saint in the 4 year old program at Sacred Heart. He will be going Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings from 8:15 to 11:15am. Getting laid off has been a blessing in disguise for me as it has allowed me to spend extra time preparing Peter for this big day and it will give me time to spend with him in the afternoons.

He was a bit apprehensive this morning when he entered the classroom. But after a few minutes he warmed up to the situation and "Grandma Mary" (the older gal that assists in the classroom) began playing with him. We know many of Peter's classmates and their parents so that is comforting to us.

Here are the pictures I took! After I'm done with this post it will almost be time to pick him up! I can't to hear all about it...