Another Opportunity

Ted presented me with another opportunity.  I got started and it is making my brain work and my hand sore.  BUT I can do it while I do laundry AND I can do it on the porch!  The dogs and I spend most of the days outside listening to the birds and feeling the breeze.  I am taking a course to be an ESL teacher.  I will be able to help Ted with some training for people at the plant who do not know much English, but they NEED to in order to work safely and efficiently.  I am 3 modules in and I have to do 7...the 8th one is the test.

I have asked the Lord for opportunities that He would have me do.  He brought this one to me unexpectedly as Ted presented a need he had and acknowledged I was the one who made the most sense.  I know I can teach basics!  I am crazy enough to like English grammar.  I love Mexico and the culture.  Of course, I will do what I can!
 

Date night

Bailey and Bean Comedy

Can we do a quick picture?

Great Smokey Farm event center

 

"Would you want to meet on Wednesday?"

Ummmm....YES!!! Give me the address and I am there!!!  I drove east for 1 1/2 hours to meet up with my dearest friend.  We met at another dear friend's home for sweet fellowship.

She made us a yummy lunch too.  We laughed.  We talked.  We got teary.  We hugged.  We shared.

Sweet puppy dog stayed with us...lulled to a snoring sleep while we chatted away.

Oh my heart was blessed with our time!  The last time we saw each other was three years ago...before our sweet Mothers went to Heaven.

I want to be thankful for our time...but it would be so fun to have more of it!  We didn't even get to craft or drink our body weight in coffee!  

So thankful for the forever friend that God brought into my life when our children were small and I felt like I was losing my mind.  FunAngie would text or call and ask, "What did your crazy kiddos do today?"  She helped me focus on the fun and joy of being a Mother.  She laughed with me.  She cried with me.  She crafted with me.  She was also my secret sister one year and did the 12 days of Christmas.  I will never forget the thought and effort she put into that year.  She was there for us when Alisa was in the hospital.  She has been a friend and voice of reason to our children. She loves coffee and Jesus.  
 

Tuesday was full of thankfulness

I took time to be outside with the dogs once I got home from town.  God has sent such a beautiful spring to Tennessee.  I don't know if this is how it is every year, but if so, I will look forward to the season!  Velle is doing better.  We still don't know what the root cause of her not doing well, but the shot/meds seemed to help her.  I will continue to be aware of how she is handling things, as we will have another change in a month.

I got sidetracked by the memories that popped up on facebook.  I went down memory lane for awhile!

Oh my heart!  The days seemed so long back in the day...but those years...flew by so quickly!

 

We have moved into the appraisal phase of the new property

We continue to walk through open doors in Tennessee's real estate market.  God showed us what was available.  He showed us what we could afford.  He showed us ideas of how we could do what we desire to do.  He has answered some specific questions and concerns.  We have submitted all our paperwork today.  The appraisal has been ordered...and now we wait.  His timing and His way...and more planning on our part. 

A ranch with a full basement...lots of space for visitors!
 

A Night of Worship

On the way home from Sunday morning services, we asked Alisa if she wanted to join us for Sunday brunch and then go with us for our church's night of worship.  She said "Yes!" and showed up looking all cute, holding a yummy coffee drink from Cultivate for me.  MMMM!  I think she said it was a Samoa something or other.  I will have to ask her again.

I love doing things with our children...planned or spur of the moment!  I had tears streaming down my face a couple of times as I let the words that were being sung wash over my heart and mind.

"The Lord is my Shepherd and He is everything I need."

"I am the living proof of what the Lord has done."

"Oh, I know it is well.  Oh, that's the story I'll tell."
 

On both sides of me...Ted and Alisa...I was reminded of how God has worked in our lives.  He has led us to where we are now.  He has done and continues to do all things well.  It is important to look back and thank Him for what He has done in our lives...not always easy...but always for His glory!

Loving on Velle a little extra

When we got home from church yesterday morning, Velle was not acting right.  She has been "off" a little all week, but really off Sunday!   Alisa came for brunch and she cuddled our little furball.  "Mom, there is something wrong." she said with tears in her eyes.

Ted was keen to her actions...

and he spoiled a little extra too!

It was my job to find a vet and try to get her in asap.  I am thankful for the gals in my Bible study group who shared their recommendation.  Turns out, the man is in our Sunday School small group!!!

They were so kind to us this morning.   He checked her out, took some blood, and gave her a shot and some pills for inflammation.  "We start there and wait to see what the blood tells us.  Since she cannot talk to me...I talk to you!  You call me with an update no later than Wednesday...or we will be calling you!"

We stopped off to see Ted at work on our way home.  We shall see how she responds.

Chica knew something was off this morning!  I put her in her cage before leaving with Velle.  When we got back, she was right there to make sure all was ok.  Ooof...this will not be easy when one friend isn't around to be friends with someday.  I cannot even stand to think about that.  Thankful that we found a vet in the area!

 

Fresh squeezed lemonade!

A taste of summer for supper!  "I hope you remembered the ratios!"  Why, yes, Sir, I do!
 

Playful pups

A new toy that brought out the fighting!  Treats in a wobbly toy...kept them busy for a short while.

I had all the toys picked up (from the picture session today) and look who pulled out every single one!

 

It was foggy and made a Smokey Mountain morning!

 

Helping Teddy

And this is proof that whatever is put out for the world to see...is not the whole story!  One of my jobs this week was to take pictures of this house for Teddy to be able to share with those who may be interested in renting this place when we move out.  So...I moved the temporary bags and boxes that act as our drawers and shelves and dressers.  I did stop to clean while I had things moved aside.

I want to remember our time here.  I have been able to make it cozy and homey for us as we transition from our MI home to our TN home.

I moved out the extra seating...which are lawn chairs.

I turned the smaller lamps on for warmth.

I did the dishes and removed the daily things off the counters.

Angle is everything!  And cropping works good too.  Disguise storage tubs with extra bedding.

These are pictures that did not make the cut...for various reasons.  Can you see why?  The table was moved out of the kitchen...and held all the odds and ends.

Baskets and bags...oh my...

Piled up suitcases and stuff shoved in the closet...

The back room that is a bedroom and office and storage room right now.

The room that will be...

Laundry room in progress...

Workout room and various tools...

Porch...with assorted tools and supplies...

but to us...it is Home Sweet Home for however long God wants us to be here.  And really...I didn't have to do any radical cleaning!  In our mess of boxes and bags...we are pretty clean and organized!         AND 

The spray Ted found has dealt with the Japanese beetle infestation!  It has worked on flies, ticks, fleas, stink bugs, a hornet, and moths...but not the big spider crawling on my towel that scared me to death!