Need a new roof? Call my husband!

Ryan's current position at Lowe's is seasonal, and it's looking like time is about up for him there.  We knew that the temporary position could turn into something more permanent, but Ryan is really not feeling like the retail world is for him (isn't that true for us all? :P).  He recently got offered a position with a roofing and siding company, which seems like something he would be good at doing.  This particular company is fixing the roof on our house, which how this offer came about. This is a commission-only job, but yet from what he tells me it's not like going door to door selling vacuum cleaners. :) Ryan is great at talking to people (which I am always in awe of since I am not), so I think he would be good at it.  Bless his heart, he wants so badly to find his niche in the civilian world.

Four years ago (during our first attempt at civlian life), he had a short-lived career selling cars.  He just didn't feel right selling brand spanking new cars to young soldiers who most likely could not afford them.  But plenty of people need new roofs, and somehow I don't see it ever being an impulse purchase. :)

Right now he is in Illinois with his new boss seeing about getting him into a used truck, since a 1997 BMW won't cut it hauling around a 20 ft ladder. :) His boss is from IL and has a family member willing to sell a truck cheap and blah blah blah...so Ryan went with him to drive this truck back.  He should be home late tonight/early tomorrow.

Of course, we are praying that this is meant to be and if not then we pray that the Lord will provide another job opportunity.  Ryan has applied to so many jobs online and through the local career center.  He's a hard worker, and I am not just being biased.  Something needs to be done, and he is all over it. 

So if you need a new roof, call Ryan for an estimate! ;D 931-494-3823

Ryan's Dominant Personality Gene

Hannah sang VBS songs with the other 4 and 5-year olds at church this morning. She gets so into all the hand movements and dances (maybe I should say "interpretive movement"...we're Baptist...we don't dance. *snort*). Anyway, I can't get over how she is the total opposite of me as a 5-year old. Between songs she's spotted me, her daddy, and her Grendy in the congregation and she waves at us, giggling no doubt. I would not have done that. I would have looked very timid and been thinking, "OMG, my mom is looking at me and smiling. I am so mortified. I just want to die right now!" I know...kind of a crazy thing to think but I was (and still am) easily embarrassed over...well, pretty much anything. :P Hannah is just getting more like her daddy all the time. Ryan is very outgoing and...well, a bit neurotic (but in a sweet, charming way ;) ).

After church, Autumn comes into our room while I'm putting clothes away and throws a (dry) diaper at me and laughs. Hm. Ryan is practically rolling on the floor laughing and I play Responsible Parent and tell Autumn to pick it up and take back into the living room. I come out of the room and Autumn has reappeared. She found a skirt in her diaper bag and put it on as a hat (No pic, I'm sorry to say), and again thought she was the most hilarious thing. Again, Ryan's DNA overpowers mine. :)

Y-E-S to V-B-S!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

This past week Hannah attended VBS at church, learning about the Lord and having a blast in the process. She came home every day with some sort of eclectic craft (hence the hat) and a new memory verse. Yesterday I asked her to say one of her verses from the week and she said "God has a plan. Jeremiah 29:11" Obviously, the abridged version to make memorization easier for the kids. :) I love this verse and it can get you through all kinds of hard times if you have the faith.

I know Hannah could have easily attended VBS every week all summer long, but after VBS week is done and over it is up to me and her daddy to continue to plant and water seeds of faith that will eventually come to her knowing Christ. She has recently started asking us questions about what's going on based on pictures in her children's bible. The other day we talked about Jacob and Esau, and she wanted to know why Esau was so mad. I know there are moments when Hannah wants to do some sort of activity (read, color, etc), and I'm "busy" with dishes, laundry, etc. While I do try to make sure my priorities are in line, I pray that when Hannah has a question about the Word I am immediate in dropping whatever I'm doing to answer. "The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." " -1Samuel 3:10 Even though the first couple times Samual mistakened God's calling as Eli calling him, God continued reaching out to him. I know no matter what God will always be calling me for his will, and I hope that I don't let any of those precious moments pass me by.

A Night at the Theater

Last night was date night, and my husband being as resourceful as he is bought us tickets to see a play at the Roxy! A wonderful change from seeing a movie that we probably wouldn't have liked (and probably a lot cheaper, too!). :P

The play was wonderful! The actress playing Belle sounded just like the one in the movie, speaking and singing...very impressive. :) What cracked me up the most was the young man playing Lefou (Gaston's little friend/lacky). I highly recommend going and even bring your kids with you. Tickets are not expensive. There was a great number of kids there last night (I'm not sure my own child would have sat still, but the kids there last night were very well-behaved).

After the play, Ryan and I made it over to TCBY. I gorged myself on a banana split while Ryan looked on, nursing a root beer float. Hey, it's frozen yogurt. It couldn't possibly be that bad for me, could it? ;)

Meanwhile, on the other side of town at Steak and Shake...

Autumn got herself hooked up, thanks to her Uncle Bobbo who has worked at Steak and Shake for the past three years or so. :) Autumn and Grendy had a big time getting ice cream and getting a new stuffed lion at Toys R Us (just what my girls need...another stuffed toy :p). Hannah was with her Papaw, no doubt playing computer games, eating fruit snacks, and watching The Polar Express and DVR'd episodes of Sponge Bob.

None of us could have asked for a better start to the weekend!

Medical Update

This week both girls had doctor's appointments for completely different reasons. On Tuesday we made the trip to Hopkinsville for Hannah's follow-up at the dermatologist regarding the wart on her lip. We thought the wart was coming back but the tiny bump leftover was simply a scar! Surely that will fade with time.


This morning Autumn had an appointment with ENT (Ears, Nose, and Throat) since she had an ear infection that would not go away. The doctor said she only had a little bit of fluid in one ear--nothing to be concerned about right now. We're going back next month just to make sure everything is still okay.

So just as I figured my kids are better than everyone else. :)