Before and After

Since decorative concrete is something we do, we finally decided to do some decorative concrete at our house. Finally! For the past couple of weeks we've been working on our garage. It had a few cracks and had really become quite an eyesore. So, we decided to colorflake it. It turned out really pretty. Jacob and I painted the block. (If you click on the photos you can see the colorflake better. )

My hubby is so talented! Next up is the pool, the front stoop and sidewalks.

Life Changes

I am always amazed at how God works in our lives. For the past couple of years we've been searching, waiting and praying for God to reveal some direction in our business life. Ten years ago we started Crown Concrete Construction http://www.crownconcreteconstruction.com/index.php with our brother-in-law and a friend. God blessed and the company has been prosperous, but as is the case when more than one person is involved, each has their own ideas. While our two partners are wonderful guys and even more wonderful friends, they have never been interested in the business side. So, it's time to part ways. In the coming weeks we will be buying our two partners out and restructuring the company. As always we asked God for a neon sign and he provided it. We were certain that the sign would be for us to sell (maybe even hoping), but he has revealed to us this is the right path for us at this time. The great thing is that there are no hard feelings between family and friends. Isn't God awesome! Life is about to change as I'll be working more for hubby and helping him as much as I can.

Lord, your wisdom, guidance and will is our ultimate goal. Keep us in the palm of your hand, guide us daily, hourly and never let us lose sight of your son.

School Stress, Home Stress, Business Stress, Everywhere You Look . . . Stress

To say that life is busy here would be an understatement. EOG's are this week and that always brings a tremendous amount of stress into our home. This year, thankfully, Jacob seems a little calmer. I hope he does well. Adding to the school stress is the Board of Education wanting to redistrict the high school lines which would affect Jacob. None of us are crazy about the idea of moving him into a different high school district. I can understand the over population problem in our current school, but to move kids this late in the game is extremely detrimental to them.

On top of that we've been approached about selling our business. For some time we've been praying earnestly about God's will for our lives and feeling that we're being called to move in other directions. We've worked and built this business from the ground up and always intended one day for our children to run it. Case in point -- we intended. So, here we are -- praying, searching and praying some more for our eyes and hearts to be opened to God's will and way for us. At this moment we are completely unsure of our next steps, but we are willing to go where he wants us and do what he places before us. Those of you who read this please commit us to your prayers. Simply pray for God's will in our lives to be revealed.

Part of me is stressed beyond comprehension right now -- wedding, school, business, life in general -- and yet I feel a sense of peace inside. I know that whatever storms blow into our lives, God is and always will be there to direct our paths. It sounds so easy to follow God and in reality it is one of the hardest things we do. Mostly because sometimes God asks us to step out of our comfort zone and into the fire. Sometimes, he asks us to do things we don't want to do -- help someone we don't want to help, move somewhere we don't want to go and so on. When we fail to follow him we miss the sweetest rewards and blessings. My desire is to not miss a moment of the ride.

Sweet, sweet Jesus -- give us the wisdom and discernment to know without a doubt your true and perfect will for our lives.

New Life

I'm so glad to finally see warmer weather here to stay. We've been working around the house and this morning I cleaned the nasty garage out and started getting the floor ready for hubby to colorflake. After that we're going to stamp the pool deck. School is down to the last weeks (thank goodness) and summer is on the way! The wedding is getting closer and there's still so much to do. Life is busy and full.

Hubby got our baby cradle out of the attic at the office and I cleaned it up this morning as well. It still looks pretty good. Even the bedding looks good. My sister's oldest son and his bride of a year are expecting in a couple of weeks. They already know it's a girl and so this afternoon I'm going to take the cradle over for her to use. This cradle is special. I bought this cradle in a yard sale before my oldest son was even conceived thinking maybe someday. Well, both my boys have slept in it, all of my sister's grandchildren so far have slept in it and someday, hopefully, my grandchildren will sleep in it. It was old when I bought it 23 plus years ago. It actually swings back and forth. I can remember when Jacob was sleeping in it by our bed and my husband (in his sleep) would reach out and push it to keep it moving! What sweet memories came rushing back to me as I cleaned it up this morning. What I wouldn't give to go back in time and hold my baby boys one more time, to smell that sweet baby smell, to snuggle them up against my heart. Yeah, you can tell I've got a brand new teenager and one about to get married! At least soon I'll have a little one to snuggle and not have to be the one up in the middle of the night!!!

Thank you Jesus for new life. How precious it really is. Watch over Scott and Treva and bless them with a healthy baby girl. Thank you for sweet memories and beautiful traditions.

Working for Hubby

Call me crazy! My husband is an absolute gem of a guy. I know I've bragged on him before, but he is really the best husband in the world. So, when he asked if I could help him out this week at work I immediately said yes. The more time I get to spend with him the happier I am. My husband owns a small concrete construction company. Remember that really huge job the Lord blessed us with back in January? Well, the job is almost complete and down to the cleaning up stages. I've been helping with that -- cleaning up the jobsite (which is huge), helping him parge the walls (not something you ever want to do because it involves getting very, very dirty). I've worked the past two days and plan to work again on Friday. I'm not complaining because the Lord really blessed us with this job, just pray that I'm able to remain upright!!!

Lord, thank you for your many blessings. Give me strength to finish this task. Thank you for the opportunity to work alongside my husband.

The Engagement Photo

Birthdays and Family

I can hardly believe my little "booger butt" is turning 13 this week. What an absolute joy this child has been in my life. We've partied up a storm all weekend. We've probably overdone it, but heck 13 is a milestone. Friday night we had a wonderful time midnight bowling with Jacob and his cousin and Zach and Candi. It was a lot of fun to just relax with our family and laugh. Saturday Jacob and Brandon hung out all day and played while Zach and Candi and I worked on wedding stuff. Sunday we had everyone over for ice cream and cake and the house was packed full. Kids everywhere!

Thank you Jesus for such a wonderful weekend of family, fun and fellowship. Thank you for two amazing boys. Thank you for the joy and fulfillment they bring us. Thank you for extended family. Looking around the room yesterday it was such a blessing to see each and every face.