Christmas BLISS

This year is the first year in MANY years that I can honestly say not a worry in the world hit me!

I was kind of nervous a few weeks ago as things got closer, but when I seriously just prayed about it and let all things go I had a real feeling of peace.

Mike was able to make it to town ( a huge prayer being answered as I didn't have to part with Daya for a week in Louisiana ) and he agreed to let me have Christmas Eve with her, and him take her Christmas Day.

This worked well since we have the other 3 kids on Christmas Eve and not on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve we had some of my family over for gifts and breakfast, and then quiet time with just our kids and us at the house until we headed to Nana Sue and Grandpa Dave ( Tim's parents house ) for dinner and gifts there. It was a great relaxed no pressure day all the way around and the kids had a blast.
We were able to pull off a simple Christmas for all 4 kids, and even received a few blessings ourselves. All the glory to God for that however because as most of you know nothing else in our life is easy right now, and money especially is a huge hardship.

Christmas Eve night Tim surprised me with the biggest gift of all --- a proposal. Christmas day Tim and I took his parents to the airport and ended up at starbucks for coffee and breakfast before I had to be to work. I know right, who works on Christmas day... ME!

After work we took a nap, and then headed to my Aunts house for a nice little time with some more of my family. I even got to introduce my Mr. to my aunt and some other members of the family too :) It was a wonderful time.

If theres one thing I can reflect on it is God's peace and glory. So much has happened this year and so much has changed. The biggest thing being my heart and a couple of hearts around me.

All glory to him.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed new year!

( pics to come soon )

I hear wedding bells... or ...

..... or something, but whatever it is it has a "Ring" to it!

Tim proposed tonight. Christmas Eve!

Tomorrow is our 7 month anniversary -- and even though I know we have talked about being together and married I guess I just kind of figured that when and if the time came it would be down the road a little bit.

Tonight he made several comments about how after we take his kids to their moms, and take daya to Mike that we would go see christmas lights. I was all for that since I love to look at lights especially on Christmas Eve and in the snow :) .

Away we went... we dropped all 4 kids off and then headed out - we made our way towards our church as Tim said there was some homes he was aware of down in that area all decked out. We got to the church ( it happens to overlook the river valley area ) and he started talking about the night he finally had the guts to ask for my phone number about 8 months ago. We were talking and when he got to the " spot " that he asked me for my number he parked in the middle of the lane, leaned over, slipped my "temporary ring" on my finger and said " April, it began here... Can it continue here? Will you be my wife?" , ( gush right?! ) .... I replied with "I will".

So... 6 months from tomorrow we will wed. We would have made it sooner, but we have alot to get settled first. God moves!

I never thought I would be in these shoes and boy do I pray each day to be making things right. But how blessed I am to be here. And now.

Tim, I cannot wait to continue this walk and make it right before God with you! You are an amazing friend and man and I am honored to now call you my fiance! Thank you for all you do, and all you are!

Your WIFE to be!

Another month gone.. update

Another random check in.

I got up early this morning to post on here, because its been driving me nutty that I have not had time to update. The only good thing I can think of is, not logging in gives me time to see if its something worth blogging about!

Ha -
So..... again, its been more than a month since I have logged in and posted publicly. I have some good ones, and I will publish as soon as I attach the photos.

In all though things are fantastic.

I am feeling good much of the time and even though I have my struggles each new day brings a chance to realize how blessed I am through everything and how things have changed.

Madaya is amazingly healthy, growing well and thriving more than ever. We had her to the nutritionist the other day and for the first time in a long time she was in the the growth pattern of 5%. But its on an incline vs. the downslide we had been seeing for the past 2 years. Talk about a happy momma.

Tim is doing well too --- still struggling with his lack of work, and self regrets about some of his behavior but in all is pushing through and relying on our awesome God. He has another interview for a teaching position this friday ( a previously applied for an interviewed position ) and he is keeping his fingers crossed. He is hoping to find another job as well, so that he can provide at the level he feels needed. I am just proud of him for doing what he can do right now. I know its hard - but I know we will get through it.

Come the first of the year ( gulp - I cannot believe its that close ) I will start my new daily bible devotional and reading plan, and I hope to use my blog as my journal, along with my updates. So maybe that way I will see a good healthy pattern emerge again...

Until then Ill be back soon to update on things ( and publish the other posts ).