Back from traveling!

Well, after a long absence on the internet world, I have returned! :) The kids and I were gone for 8 days and it was quite a whirlwind. I felt like I spent the entire week before we left, getting ready to go and then the day we've been back, I've spent trying to unpack and do laundry... and I still have neither one done! :) It's quite a task to get 4 kids halfway across the country with snacks, toys, blankies, pillows and everything else they need! I am happy to say though that I drove with just the kids and I, the entire journey to KC. We had a very nice dinner with Philip's Uncle Lynn and Aunt Gloria, who now live in Nashville. We then made it all the way to Paducah, KY and spent a very-unrestful night together in a hotel room. :( Other than that, we had few glitches in the road and got there Saturday afternoon. I now feel like I have conquered the world by driving 14 + hours with them all and still having my sanity!

We had a wonderful week with family and friends, and the boys especially enjoyed seeing everyone, since this was their first trip back since moving. The drive home was all in one day, but thankfully Philip was with us, so it was easier with 2 drivers (although harder to do it all in one day). I am just happy we all made it safe and sound there and back! We are looking forward to all our family coming to visit in about 3 weeks for Christmas!

I am also happy to report that when we got home, it actually felt like "home" now. I miss all our friends and family still, but it clicked, as we drove in our garage - we were home. Canton and Georgia are now home to us, and in spite of it all, that feels really good. Welcome home!

WONDERFUL Saturday at a Wildlife Reserve

Well, it has been a wonderful weekend. A reminder that I still think God "Drew us apart to draw us together." We spent pretty much the whole weekend together as a family. It was relaxing and just wonderful.

Saturday, we took the advice of my new friend Kristin and took the kids to a local Game Ranch/Wildlife Reserve. It's about an hour drive, close to Stone Mountain. OH My goodness, it was worth the 50 minute drive!!! We had so much fun, as you can tell from the pictures! It's filled with deer, squirrels, chickens, rabbits, pigs, bears, cougars (the dangerous animals are caged) and more... The deer and the tame animals just wander through the park and are fed, petted... it's amazing! We had deer following us, eating from our hands - they even let the kids hug them! The squirrels would literally run up to you, sit on their back feet and beg from you. It was simply awesome to be so close to all of these 'wild animals'!!!! Makes me think how wonderful it must have been in the Garden of Eden - where Adam and Eve walked among the animals and just 'hung' with them, as my kids would say. I can't even imagine walking beside a mountain lion... talking with them maybe? All beyond my imagination, but our little glimpse this weekend was exhilirating! We plan to take the rest of our family when they come for Christmas!

I'm off tomorrow night to do my first bargain workshop here, and then spending the week getting ready for my long journey with the kids!! :) Anyone have any extra benadryl?:)

My bargain workshops starting here... :)

Well, since moving, I have been FRUITFULLY enjoying living in the land of double coupons!! :) Both Publix and Kroger (my local grocery stores) double coupons up to .50... and have some dang good sales too! We moved and had to start totally over with freezer goods, which sucks, cause I had my whole deep freeze packed (we gave the deep freeze away to Jonathan and Tabby). So anyways, I now have a side by side freezer upstairs and another one downstairs.. not as big as a deep freeze, but still. I have now FILLED those freezers to the BRIM, and pretty much for almost nothing. :) Not to mention the slew of other great deals I've found.

Anyways, Philip has been telling some of his co-workers about my bargain shopping classes, as well as some of our new neighbors. I also met a lady the other day at CVS, as I was checking out... I was having a particularly good "CVS" night.. paid almost nothing for an entire cartful of stuff. She wanted to know how I did that, and after a little talk, she is hosting my next Bargain Shopping workshop here.

I might just say that I was content to let that go... not that I don't enjoy it and not that I don't think it's a great thing to share... I just figured that since I hardly knew anyone here that it wasn't realistic to start something that basically requires networking. I guess God has other plans!!! I am trying to let myself just be used by him, however he wants!!!

Family and such

Just had to say that we had a most wonderful time during the last 24 hours. Philip's Aunt June, Uncle Lowell, Uncle Lynn, Aunt RaeEsther and his grandma all stayed with us last night! June, Lowell, Rae Esther and Grandma were all on their way back to Pennyslvania and we learned that Uncle Lynn now lives in Nashville, so within a 4hour drive!! The amazing part is that we have a big enough house to accomodate everyone too!!!! The boys had a blast learning some new 'kung fu' moves (as they call them) from Uncle Lowell and I was reminded time and time again where Trinity gets her red hair and her looks!! She is DEFINITELY a Wise! :) Anyways, we had so much fun having a big taco dinner with them, and talking... its so nice to see family!!! So who's next? :)

I also heard back on my dad's interview... He had been waiting and waiting to hear... only to find out there is MORE waiting! Apparently, they want the 'interim controller' to give his input on hiring - and he was out this week and now all next week too.... so we continue to pray and wait!~ Did I mention that I HATE waiting? :) :):):) Maybe God's trying to sneak in a lesson on patience! :):):)

Other than that, we are enjoying the warm fall weather in GA. This week has been in the 70's and man, it's NOVEMBER! I'm looking forward to seeing what winter is like here!

And we also decide that we are going to KS for thanksgiving! ya! We are so excited. It should be interesting though, because the kids and are going to drive the 12-14 hours, and spend the whole week and then Philip will fly in on Wednesday and join us. Christian has the whole week of school and it seemed like a waste not to pack in some great friends/family time while we could. I think I need some prayers though for all those hours on the road with 4 kids! I must be crazy!

Our newest addition!!!

Daddy brought home a surprise for us on Halloween night!! His name is Zeus, and he's just about the cutest thing ever! He doesn't ever get to walk, because there is a long line of hands waiting to hold him! :) Technically, he was Trinity's birthday present... but I think we all know who the cat lover is in this family!

Bear thinks he is a proud new 'papa' because he follows this kitten around like it's his little lost baby. So all in all, I think he's fitting into the family quite well!

We also had a wonderful visit with Paula and Herb this weekend, who stayed with us for the weekend. It's always so nice to have family here - feels like a breath of fresh air, since we miss all our family so much.

We are still waiting to hear about the possible job offer for my dad, so PLEASE keep praying. :)

Miss 'Thang' is walking!