When God uses your frustrations

A few weeks ago now a dear neighbor said, "hey, I just had a leak in my water line and I see water in front of your driveway.  You might want to check and see if you have a leak."  This kind neighbor was looking out for us.  I can't say how much I appreciate that.  So sure enough, we have a leak...somewhere...as to where???  (and so the story continues)

We had the water company come out and say, "yep, you do have leak.  Your meter is running when your water is shut off."  So we called the plumber, they came out and basically told us we need to have this other company come who's job is to find leaks.  In short, they came, told us where they thought the leak was, and went on their merry way.  So we started to dig, and dig, and dig.  And just for those that know that are not from around where we live.  The dirt here is like clay.  It is hard.  It is NOT easy to dig.  We have a dear friend Joel who has come down multiple times to help Lee.  Our small group leader, Barry, just stopped by one night to see if we needed help.  We have been blessed.  So after ALL this digging, when we felt like we practically dug to China, where the leak supposedly was...there is NO leak to be found.  Again NO leak!....but...it has to be somewhere because our meter is still running....

I don't write this post to complain or even vent my frustrations, because I do have some (I'm human).  I am writing it because I want to remember how God has used our frustrations in so many good ways.  First, we have been served.  I just feel so blessed.  And it makes me want to be a better servant.

Second, we have met SO many neighbors that we never have met before.  I would say "hi" as people walk and then they start to chat and everyone has a story.  Without a simple "hello" I truly believe they would just keep walking by, but instead they stop, and talk about their own homeowner problems, and we meet a new face.  Some just stop by and say, "what is going on?" but it strikes up a conversation.  It's been good.

So the digging will commence and we just might make it to China.  We are praying we can resolve things soon, but in the mean time we will hope God continues to use our frustrations, like He seemingly always does!  

Looking Back - May

You know how (okay maybe you don't know) after you finish an American Girl book, they have a whole Looking Back section, and they tell you about how things were during that era of time.  Well, I am taking a look back on our summer (finally), starting with the end of May! 

We went through a much too long period of not having a camera.  Ours broke so we would often just use our phones to take pictures.  Well, we finally broke down and got a camera in July.  I was tired of missing out on taking good quality pictures of all the memories we were making.  So, I actually have to go back and look at the pictures we look on our phones to even begin to think what we did WAY back in May!  And some pictures were taken on Lee's phone and some mine, so it's all kind of jumbled...see, I should just keep up better on this blog! 


So the end of May we got to meet up with a dear friend from South America that we don't get to see often enough!  It was a special treat to meet up with her and we had a wonderful evening together! 

We also went to the local Memorial Day parade, which we got there kind of late so ended up being at the very end of the parade and most of the float candy was gone:(  However, the girls STILL got plenty!  I'm always thankful for all those who serve and have served our country!  A great reminder!

We started enjoying our little pool in our backyard as the temperatures started to rise and started our June project (which you'll get to hear about soon), of redoing our landing and kitchen floor, which pretty much took most of June!  

Growing by two feet

Because I know not all of our family/friends have facebook...we'd like to share some news with you...

coming April of 2014. 

Full Circle - 1st grade

So the last time I posted Isabel was just finishing up Kindergarten...and NOW...she has started 1st grade!  Yea, so I basically missed blogging our entire summer.  It was not my intention, but it just kind of happened.  So I'm hoping to be able to do a recap of the summer in a few days, but for now...1st grade!

Yes, we have a first grader!  WOW!  The house is quieter, a new routine has began, and I'm missing my big girl being around the house.    

She really did great her first day.  She had some apprehension leading up to school, but when the day came she was ready to go.  It always helps when your teacher tells you that you are going to do fun things like have pajama day and get to dress up like a princess one day.  I guess that was worth going back for. 

Speaking of, it's time to head out to pick her up, so until next time...

 

A year gone by

Today is the last day of kindergarten for Isabel.  She doesn't seem too sad about it yet.  We'll see how she does next week when she doesn't go back to school.  She had an assembly this morning where she earned another S.O.A.R. award and we got to go and thank her teacher as well.  We are so proud of Isabel and blessed for how her first year of school went.  We loved her teacher and teachers aid.  She can read, she can write, she knows more about butterflies and other insects than I do.  What a year!

The little girl who skipped into school on her first day still does

 

 

Isabel's awesome teacher

Classmates

Also, my dear friend Cydney and I finished up our 1st year of preschool with our two girlies.  They have come along way, especially Ana.  One year down, one to go before these two are headed off to kindergarten.  How quickly it will come I'm sure.  Proud of you Ana & Kate!

 

Now...did somebody say summer!  Awww summer, my favorite season!  Bring on the beach, pool, biking, watermelon, s'mores, friends, family, and other fun summer activities! 

The things Ana says

If you know Ana she just kind of says things.  Maybe like most kids she just says whatever comes to her mind.  Here are a few of the silly things she's said recently. 



Story 1

Ana: What's that mom

Me: Au Jus

Ana: Au Jus.  Yea, it's Au Jus cause it has Ju in it


Story 2

Ana: This is duck sauce.  It's made from ducks.


Story 3 (apparently we eat Chinese a lot)

Ana: If this is the color of duck sauce, what would the color of cow sauce be? 


Story 4 (this is an exchange between Isabel and Ana.  I posted in on fb, but thought I'd post it here too)

Ana: Who's that in front of us
Isabel: It might be Pastor Peter (it wasn't)
Ana: Who's Pastor Peter?
Isabel: He's another bald guy:P

(almost all of the pastors at our church are bald or shave their heads, so indeed she was right)

Track and field day

Last week Isabel had track and field day!  It was a gorgeous day and we had a fun time watching and cheering during all of the festivities.  A fun morning for all!!!  

Our field day star

Ana cheering her big sister on

Fun parachute activity.  Really funny seeing all the kindergartens trying to figure it out

Isabel's tug of war team.  They were SO CLOSE to winning and then...they all pooped out.