God is Funny

As I was lying in my daughter's bed, waiting for her to fall asleep, I was chuckling over something that happened a few weeks ago. I was on my way into the library for storytime, carrying a bag of books, and Adeline, too, closely followed by hubby and Amelia. At the exact instant I walked under the awning over the doorway, it decided to dump its entire huge load of fresh snow....on me, my books, and Adeline, too. I just stood there as the snow kept coming, and coming, and coming. When it finally stopped, I turned around to the shocked expressions of my hubby and my friend who I had just greeted, and we all burst out laughing. When I walked into the storytime room, Sally, the "Storytime Lady" asked me if I'd gotten into a snowball fight, I suppose because I was the only person there covered in snow. By the time I went to return my soggy, snowladen books, the entire library was chuckling over what had happened. And I still think about it and chuckle, thinking of God looking down and deciding that I needed a little humor in my day, and figuring out the perfect way to do it.

Addendum to Yesterday

So yesterday I blogged a little about trying to trust that God will provide in the midst of discouraging circumstances, i .e. prolonged unemployment. And today, during my family Christmas, my husband received a phone call offering that long-awaited job. Not only that, but the job is one of engineering's "dream jobs". I'm not making that up, this job was actually listed so in a magazine. We are psyched, and extremely thankful, not only for the job, but for God's provision in the meantime. He blessed us so richly with money in the bank from the sale of our house last winter, unexpected income, a flexible work-from-home job for me, (which I will continue), free emergency dental care (thank you Dr. Flor!), and incredibly discounted medical bills. Not to mention the relationships that have blossomed as we've felt the incredible support from both expected and surprising places. People that we don't even know have been praying us through this, and I'm both proud and humbled to say that as of January 12th, we'll have made it to the other side, and become a stronger husband-wife team in the process. The only down-side: I've gotten used to having a partner in parenting every day, all day. It will be an adjustment switching back into solo gear, and I'm sure those first days will feel pretty long! But all in all, I can't wait to start this New Year off right, with renewed hope and faith.

Giveaways of the Day

Register to win a snuggly pair of Lambie slippers from Bath and Body Works. But watch out, if you win, I just may have to steal them from you. I really need some new slippers:)

http://jenniferthepinkchick.blogspot.com/2008/12/give-away-in-honor-of-my-100th-post.html

This giveaway has made me feel really inadequate about my current ornament storage. What a great product, but it costs more than all my ornaments combined!
http://www.blessednestperch.com/home-at-blessed-nest/2008/12/27/wrapping-packing-up-the-holidays-a-sterling-pear-signature-o.html?lastPage=true#comment2614316

I love the products from Edible Baby. Since Adeline wears cloth diapers and I love to put her in multicolored knit pants, I'm always on the lookout for funky basic tees, and these fit the bill.
http://kitchencorners.blogspot.com/2008/12/solving-your-kitchen-problems-one_30.html

If you enjoy researching your family history, enter this giveaway to win software to help you compile all your information in one place.
http://grammyjanetsplace.blogspot.com/2008/12/family-tree-maker-2008-essentials.html

etsy is one of my favorite places to window shop, and this store is the coolest! They take old adult clothing and upcycle it into unique and adorable children's clothing.
http://www.nwmomfinds.com/2008/12/new-life-for-old-shirts.html

I think we all know Columbia fleecewear. Enter to win a fleece jacket.
http://gerritnow.blogspot.com/2008/12/columbia-sportswear-womens-fleece.html

Check out this giveaway for a gift certificate to an online natural baby clothing store. If I win, I'll use it towards a cloth diaper!
http://glimpse-reviews.blogspot.com/2008/12/race-ya-to-treehouse-and-giveaway.html

And that's the best of today, folks!

Ahhh, sweet accomplishment...and other ramblings

So I'm finally feeling prepped for tomorrow's celebration...we're hosting my side's Christmas party tomorrow, and it'll be my first time preparing a holiday meal, so I'm a little nervous. But the ham is in the fridge, the potatoes are mashed, ingredients for casseroles are at the ready, ice in the freezer, punch bowl on the buffet....I think I'm as ready as I can be. I'm tired, but I feel good about everything I got done today, thanks to the help of my husband. He dutifully vacuumed the entire house this morning, stairs and all, and when I came down from putting Amelia to bed, was in the midst of peeling the 8 pounds of potatoes!!!! The things I'm going to miss when he finally gets a job....which hopefully will be soon.

Speaking of which, keep us in your prayers as we *patiently* wait to hear from the latest possibility, and are reeeeeaaaally hoping it will work out. It's hard to keep getting our hopes up only to have them dashed, so we're trying not to get too excited and get ahead of ourselves. Throughout the past few months of waiting and wondering, I've been on the lookout for verses emphasizing God's faithfulness and perfect will. My latest favorite:

Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV) He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (emphasis mine)

Even when it doesn't feel like it, He is faithful, his works are still perfect, and His plan is for my good. He never changes, even when my circumstances do. So no matter the outcome of this last interview, I rest my hope and future on His plan for my family...but it's still easier said than done. Off to bed now, up early in the morning to start the ham!

Time to Get Moving

I'm procrastinating on my mammoth list of things to do today...so I thought I'd let you know about a few giveaways I found today.

Enter to win an organic spa package
http://www.spaweek.org/content/giveaways/enter/&cid=129

My new favorite giveaway spot. Here is a list of giveaways you can enter for. The only drawback is that it seems tons of people subscribe to this blog, so your chances for winning are smaller than at other lesser-known blogs.
http://everythingupclose.blogspot.com/

Enter to win an adorable baby girl fleece hat, bedecked with funky ribbons.
http://mommainflipflops2.blogspot.com/2008/12/lexy-lu-review-giveaway.html

Ok, time to quit messing around and get moving on that list. Come on Amelia, time to get dressed:)

Blech

What a horrid day. Last night I was rudely awakened by the stomach flu, and spent the day today trying to keep some Gatorade down, and sleeping. I was supposed to spend the day celebrating Christmas with my husband's family, and preparing for Christmas to be at our house in two days. I'm trying to let go of my to-do list right now, and relax a little, but there's so much to do! Anyhow, off to spend a little quality time with hubby in front of a movie. Hopefully tomorrow will be better and no one new will be sick.

Giveaways

There are some really great giveaways at the blogs listed on my sidebar. Check them out and enter yourself to win something fun for the New Year!