Things have been flowing right along, being we have just started up our lessons again this week. We took all of last week off. It was a nice break that I think both the kids and I needed. Monday always feels rushed, because I clean on that day. But I like Tuesdays, they feel nice and relaxed and we seem to move through our lessons easily. That is the day I'm having today. I'm always blessed by these kinds of days.
Yesterday was fun, we did a bit of a 'field trip', I guess you could call it. I'm not a big field trip kind of mom, and even yesterday I didn't make a whole 'thing' out of it. But the kids were with me, and saw all that was going on, so I think that qualifies for a field trip. Anyway, we had to go to the local court house for me to get my drivers license renewed. We had to use one of those 'You are here' maps to figure out where to go. I'm so use to going to the DMV for any kind of license things, but out here, they do all that in the police station and/or court house. In our old town, it was in the police station, in this town, there is a separate room in the court house building for it. It went a lot faster than what I was use to in Illinois. But the biggest 'issue' of it all, and something the kids and I talked about, was that my license had expired in August. I had gone to the local video store last week trying to rent a Wii game (which it turns out we didn't rent because it wasn't in stock). Obviously being new in town I had to sign up at the video store. The gentleman behind the counter casually looks up at me and says, "Do you know your license is expired?" I was in total shock. I said, "Excuse me, it's what?" Well, obviously it had expired on my birthday in August. The thought of my license being due to renew this year wasn't even a thought in my mind. Our August was crazy with Paul's medical appointments, job hunting then moving. My, the Lord truly protected me, though I think if I had gotten pulled over the officer would have been able to tell by the shock on my face, I wasn't do it intentionally. So after I found this out I called my sister, who is a police dispatcher in the county we use to live in. I'm thinking $5 or $10 to renew a license, nope it cost $24.50. Of course we didn't have $24.50 lying around. I knew of a refund check we will be getting in the mail for about that amount, but we won't be getting that for another month or so. That was not acceptable to Paul, who rearranged our budget a bit and told me I needed to get my license renewed immediately. He only had to drive me once on Saturday. I found out Wednesday, drove home, and didn't head out again until Saturday and Sunday, which of course he drove both times. I did have to drive Monday to get to the court house, but I made it there fine and of course went there first. All was fine, they renewed my license no problem, and I even got to update the address on it.
So that was our day yesterday. We still had our lessons to do, though I cut down Paulie's math a lot, and just had him practice his addition. But the kids had fun learning how to find where you need to go on one of those maps, then waiting in line and the whole process for a license renewal. I think they learned a lot.
We also had to turn our cell phones off last night. I am doing o.k., though I truly miss having cell phones. I've really missed my husbands calls on his breaks. I know I'll miss it so much more when I go shopping in a few days. I still don't know if we'll be able to get a 'pay as you go' one yet or not. We just take it paycheck to paycheck. So for now we are without any kind of cell phone. But the Lord has blessed us tremendously so far, so I have to trust that if He wants us to have one, He will provide for us get one (or two). Though believe me, inside I want to throw a fit for having to give them up, I'm just trying to focus on the Lord and trusting Him in this. And I know how silly it sounds, with all the true problems people have with sicknesses and such, not having a cell phone is really no big deal. But that doesn't take away from the fact that I'm bummed about it. But enough whining.
Our new microwave is working great. Though on the day we got it, only the 4th time using it, one of the children (who shall remain nameless) warmed up a dessert with a fork in it for 30 seconds. Oh, I thought for sure we had just broken our new microwave. But, thankfully, all is fine. No sparks or anything. We did throw the fork away, and washed the plate in the dishwasher twice, but other than that, all is well. We have been using it up a storm and I'm reminded of God's blessings every time we use it.
OK, well that's the update on us. My plans this week are to finish two cross stitch Christmas presents I'm making. There were four more people I wanted to make things for, but I just don't see that happening. I'll decide when I'm done with these two. If they go fast enough, maybe I'll at least do two more. I'll show pictures, if I can, when they are done.
You aint kidding you have had a productive week and its just starting. Yes that is so good to hear you didnt get into any trouble with your license being expired...
It seems to me you are doing such a good job going with the flow and waiting on the Lord. I don't think He expects us to be perfect while we wait. It does get easier the more practice you get! (lol) I will pray that you don't get a lot more practice!
Jenn
Good to hear your week has been so productive... is it really only TUESDAY? You've been a very busy beaver!!! LOL Hey, and about the cell phones... we went without for over two years... just weren't in one place long enough and finances were providing neccessities only (like FOOD! LOL). Anyway, something that my husband and I did to get over the withdrawals of the "break time" calls... we started leaving notes for each other to find throughout the day... I would leave one on the steering wheel of his car, one in his lunch sack, one in his coat pocket... he would leave one in the cabinet where the glasses are, one on the bathroom mirror, one on my nightstand, etc. Just an idea! It was fun and so refreshing to see what he would leave me each day and WHERE he would leave it! LOL Hang in there! God knows right where you are!!
Love and prayers,
Patti
Hey JoAnn,
Sounds like you're having a week like mine. Although my license isn't expired, I still have my out of state license because I'm too chicken to go take the written test. I panic easily. Pray for me as I'll have to get it eventually.
Sounds like you are taking everything in stride.... I'm so impressed by your cheerful attitude as you traverse all these things. Thanks for showing us what happiness, true faith brings.
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
I had gone to the local video store last week trying to rent a Wii game (which it turns out we didn't rent because it wasn't in stock). Obviously being new in town I had to sign up at the video store. The gentleman behind the counter casually looks up at me and says, "Do you know your license is expired?" I was in total shock. I said, "Excuse me, it's what?" Well, obviously it had expired on my birthday in August. The thought of my license being due to renew this year wasn't even a thought in my mind. Our August was crazy with Paul's medical appointments, job hunting then moving. My, the Lord truly protected me, though I think if I had gotten pulled over the officer would have been able to tell by the shock on my face, I wasn't do it intentionally. So after I found this out I called my sister, who is a police dispatcher in the county we use to live in. I'm thinking $5 or $10 to renew a license, nope it cost $24.50. 
I am doing o.k., though I truly miss having cell phones. I've really missed my husbands calls on his breaks. I know I'll miss it so much more when I go shopping in a few days. I still don't know if we'll be able to get a 'pay as you go' one yet or not. We just take it paycheck to paycheck. So for now we are without any kind of cell phone. But the Lord has blessed us tremendously so far, so I have to trust that if He wants us to have one, He will provide for us get one (or two). Though believe me, inside I want to throw a fit for having to give them up, I'm just trying to focus on the Lord and trusting Him in this. And I know how silly it sounds, with all the true problems people have with sicknesses and such, not having a cell phone is really no big deal. But that doesn't take away from the fact that I'm bummed about it. But enough whining. 
Oh, I thought for sure we had just broken our new microwave. But, thankfully, all is fine. No sparks or anything. We did throw the fork away, and washed the plate in the dishwasher twice, but other than that, all is well. We have been using it up a storm and I'm reminded of God's blessings every time we use it. 
