When I was in junior high our family moved to England to live for two years. We did not have a dishwasher there and so my older brother, Michael, and I were the official "dishwashers"! We took turns washing and drying and you would have thought it would have been a bonding experience for brother and sister. Hm, not exactly! I dreaded the nights that I would have to wash...looking for any reason or excuse to get out of the chore. You see, Michael was extremely picky when it came to the definition of CLEAN. I would scrub the dishes in the water, rinse them, and set them aside for him to dry and put away. He would then proceed to examine it...very carefully...every nook and cranny...and very cermoniously place it back on the dirty dishes side! Then we would fight! :-) It was definitely the event of the night. He would continue to do this until exasperated and defeated I would volunteer to wash and dry (I'm sure that was his goal in the first place).
This morning I had a deja vu moment with my son. Some of you may know, Tyler likes things...a certain way.
We're having him start helping out with some more chores around the house and this morning he helped me unload the dishwasher. I gave him the silverwear tray and let him put them all away but told him to take out the ones that didn't get clean. Well, lets just say that there were more dirty ones than clean ones! It was Michael all over again!!! Thankfully, I didn't personally wash all those dishes this time! :-)
Well...most of you already know...but the faith of my little five year old has prevailed after all! Tyler had prayed a while back that God would put a baby in his mommy's tummy...and lo and behold...HE DID!!!!
I am pregnant! We had a little scare while we were in Tucson and were told that we had lost the baby, but when we came back to Charlotte and saw the doctor everything was fine. I am seven weeks pregnant, sick as a dog, and a little dazed!
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
Jason and I had several different reasons or plans in our hearts. But ultimately the Lord's purpose prevailed. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father and we are overjoyed by this sweet and precious gift!!! The plans that we have for our own lives are always completely outshined by the amazing purpose of our Lord! Thank you for rejoicing with us!
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
I Corinthians 2:9
I can't even begin to describe our trip to Tucson...so much happened in so very little time. Suffice to say, we had a WONDERFUL time with both families. We started the trip off with the Jimenez family and celebrated Tyler's birthday at the zoo and then off to Peter Piper Pizza (a tradition with our family!). It was also his cousin, Zoe's eleventh birthday so they celebrated together.
We had a great time seeing everyone and their kids. It didn't take the kids long at all to remember each other and run off and play together.
We went to my parents house for Thanksgiving. My grandmother and aunt and cousin came from California to celebrate with us. It was so good seeing them again...we've not seen each other in two years!
Then we were off to see my brothers...both live about six hours away. My older brother, Michael, has two sweet girls - one actually lives under the guise of Princess Aurora and sings on command! Cute cute cute girls!!! We got to see my little brother Matthew and the kids jumped and hugged and played with him the entire time.
Back to Tucson again, and heading into a week long flu bug! We were hit hard with the flu the day before we were supposed to fly out. By the grace of God, (and the persuasion of my mother) they postponed our tickets. We spent the next few days in bed, drinking Gatorade, and bemoaning our aching bodies! Fortunately, the kids skipped out on this ailment and had more time with their grandparents!
Finally, whether completely recovered or not, Jason flew back to Charlotte and I followed with the kids a day later. We are home...still a little weak...but sleeping in our own beds!
There were far too many pictures captured on this trip so I created a slideshow of all our fun times!!! Its probably good I took so many pictures...I don't think Jason is looking forward to returning...fearing the flu awaits him there if he does! :-)
