Back From an Unexpected Sabbatical... Almost a Month of Happenings Coming Up!

Well, I've taken a bit of a break from blogging...partly because I got distracted with other things, partly because I didn't think anyone was that interested in reading, and partly because I wasn't that interested in blogging. Anyway, after both my mom and my cousin, Kathy mentioned that they've missed reading my blog, I'm back.

Actually, a lot has gone on the last month. I will try to remember as much as possible, in chronological order.

Day 73 cont.
I will start with Sunday March 13th, after church. Justin told me that he had been thinking about The Upper Room (David's church), and we talked about it for a bit. I'd had it on my heart for a couple weeks already, but chose not to say anything to Justin, because I wanted God to direct him. Anyway, we decided that we would fast for three days and pray about it.

Days 74-76.
Monday through Wednesday, we fasted from everything except coffee and water. Justin had to stop a bit early because of his no gallbladder having gut was making him a bit sick. Anyway, it was a really good three days, with lots of praying.

One other thing that happened (on Tuesday) was that Justin found out that he didn't get the promotion that we were really expecting he'd get. It was tough news, but we know that God knows best. I'm sure it is a blessing in disguise!

Day 77.
On Thursday, we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. Since we'd just ended our fast that morning, we didn't want to go hog wild at a restaurant, so we had green smoothies for dinner, and then got a babysitter (my friend, Marie) for a late night movie. But, first, kind of last minute, we got another sitter (our regular, Skyler, because Marie wasn't able to come earlier) and went to the Upper Room's Thursday night service.

Every Thursday they have a potluck meal, a short time of prayer and worship, communion, and a bible study/teaching. We got there for the last song, and then participated in communion and the study. It was a very small and intimate group, and we really enjoyed it!

We had planned on watching Risen, but as it turned out, it wasn't playing in the theaters at a later time like I'd thought, so we watched the next installment in the Insurgent series: Allegiant. It was decent.
Days 78.
My mom's birthday! I recorded the kids singing her happy birthday.

Day 79.
I don't think anything at all happened this day. I didn't even take a single picture on my phone. haha

Day 80.
That Sunday, the 20th, we were running later for church, so I suggested to Justin that maybe we check out a Sunday service at the Upper Room. So we did. And loved it.

After church, we grabbed some lunch, and then drove up to Jackson, which is a small town about 45 minutes north of Milwaukee, to celebrate Lindsay's birthday. The kids had fun seeing all their chickens and playing with their grandpa and future uncles. It was nice hanging out and chatting of course.

Days 81-83.
That week I started talking with my friends about our family potentially going to the Upper Room. I wanted their prayers. I had some discussions with friends, and of course, I did lots more praying myself.

Day 84.
Thursday the 24th, I hosted MOBs, but before everyone got to my house, much earlier in the day, I accidentally got some almond flour in my eye. It was irritated all day. I rubbed my eye like crazy, and by the time all my friends arrived, my eye was bright red and really swollen. I tried rinsing it out several times, but nothing seemed to help. Other than my eye, the meeting was really good. My friend, Jackie came for the first time in months. It was great to see her!

Day 85.
The next morning, I woke up really early (before 4) to find my eye was basically swollen shut. So, I ended up going to the ER, and they prescribed me antibiotic drops. I'd planned on driving the kids to my parents' house in Ohio that morning, but I really needed my eye to open up a bit more before driving six plus hours with my children.

My eye improved enough that I was able to leave by 2pm. We stopped for an hour for dinner, and ended up getting to their house around 10:30 (don't forget about the time change). Easter weekend was nice and low key and fun. I got to see my cousin Amy, my aunt and uncle, and her daughter, Shiloh, as well as my brother and his family, and my younger sister and brother in law.

Days 86-90.
Other fun things that happened: We dyed Easter eggs, the kids and Meg and Fernando participated in an Easter egg hunt, the kids "fished", we celebrated Margo and Piper's birthdays - one at lunch and the other at dinner with the same cake haha - , and I completed a 1,000 piece puzzle! We left Wednesday morning after breakfast, and got home late afternoon.

By the time the long weekend was over, both Justin and I knew that we felt that God wanted us at the Upper Room. That's not to say that there is anything bad about our church that we'd been going to for five and a half years. But we really believe that God wants us to step out of our comfort zone and take a risk. And I'm excited about that!

Shortly after we got home, I took the girls to see our friend, Joey, who is a hairstylist, for haircuts. Margo got a trim of about two inches, Josie got hers cut into an adorable bob, and I guess mine would be a longer bob with it longer in the front? Not really sure what it's called. Joey and I also had a really great conversation.

Day 91.
The next day, Judy came into town for a long weekend. That night Justin and I went to Honeypie for an early dinner, and then came home. He wanted to snooze, and I went to another Thursday Upper Room service. David and Angie and their family were out of town for Spring Break, so it was a slightly different group. We had really good discussion, communion, and some worship. Then I sat and chatted with three other people until like 10:30!

Day 92.
On Friday, I ran several errands for Margo and Piper's birthday party. I also had a really nice lunch with my friend, Sarah. Later, Justin and I went out to dinner at Café Centraal and got delicious fish fry. Then afterward, we went over to Joey and Mehgan's house to hang out and chat.

Day 93.
Saturday morning, I took Josie to her first semi-private swim lesson. We decided to pay a little more for her to get some more one on one attention. There are two others (a brother and sister) in her class. Justin took Deuce to his baseball practice, but no one was there because it was snowing.

Saturday night was Margo and Piper's birthday party, so that day was very busy with lots of last minute details getting their room in order. I'm really happy with how it all turned out. The party started at 7, and most everyone (exept Alan and Vicki, and Judy went upstairs earlier) probably stayed until at least 10, if not 11. There were great gifts, delicious cake and ice cream, lot of playing, and wonderful conversation. We seriously have the BEST friends.

Day 94.
On Sunday, we went to the Upper Room again, while the kids stayed home with Grandma. Since David and his family were still out of town, there were some guest worship leaders from another Milwaukee church (called Eastbrook) who were actually Syrian refugees (it was so great to hear part of their story), and instead of a sermon, a woman shared her incredible testimony of how God healed her from a crazy illness, which included blindness! It was a really great service.

That evening we went to Balzac on the East Side for dinner. We got there about an hour early, and sat at the bar, sharing a bowl of soup and some wine. When our guests, Jon and Mo, arrived, we sat down and had more fabulous conversation. And some yummy food, of course!

Day 95.
The next day, I spent the morning by myself at Starbucks. Right after I dropped the kids off at school, I went to the coffee shop with my laptop and bible. I did some financial planning, made a grocery list, and enjoyed a little personal bible study. Afterwards, I grabbed some lunch, and then did a little grocery shopping. Shortly after I got home, I had to take Judy to the train station, and pick up Josie and Deuce with Margo and Piper. Oh yeah. Justin left that afternoon for Illinois for a few days for work.

Day 96.
That Tuesday night was my first Spanish 2 class. Thankfully my friend Sarah was able to come and watch the kids while I went to class, since Justin was out of town.

Day 97.
Justin got home that afternoon, and he took some time to call Pastor Terry (of our previous church) to tell him we'd decided with God's leading, to move on to the Upper Room. That night he announced our departure to the church.

Day 98.
Another Thursday night gathering, but this time, we actually showed up for the meal. And there were a lot more people there than we'd seen the last couple times. The food was pretty much gone by the time we got there, so David ran up to a nearby Cuban restaurant and got us some more food! After dinner, the kids played in the nursery while the adults had some great worship time, communion and bible study. We really enjoy Thursday nights at the Upper Room!

Day 99.

I watched Sarah's two youngest kiddos from like 10-5. They played really well with my kids, but didn't nap so well. At least they didn't make any huge messes or create too much havoc. haha They are 2 and almost 3 afterall.
Friday night can best be desribed with the following: Pizza. Ice cream. Blacklist.

Day 100.
This was a really good day.

Saturday morning I took Josie to swim lessons. I ended up having a really great conversation with the mother of the two other kids in Josie's class. Her name is Ann, and she's also a Christian. I'm really looking forward to chatting with her every Saturday the next six weeks!

After lunch, I drove to Collectivo to meet my friend Marie for coffee and a chat. We'd hit a rough patch in our friendship during the last couple weeks (regarding us changing churches), and had to talk through some things. It was nice to iron everything out and be completely reconciled by the end of our two-plus our conversation.

That evening, we had the Iwinskis over for dinner again. We had brats, roasted potatoes and paleo breaded zucchini and summer squash. While the kids played, the adults talked of course. And as always, the conversation with wonderful.

Day 101.
Church. This time, back to normal with David at the helm. Both Justin and I are trying to step out of our comfort zone and talk to people that we don't know. It is a small church, so that helps. Oh, and Piper was pretty cranky. After I held her for a while, I realized that she had a fever. Poor girl.

After church, I dropped off Josie and Justin at home, and then took the other three to Aldi so I could pick up a few more groceries.

Finally! Day 102.

I wasn't nearly as productive as I should've been today. I did spend over an hour on the phone talkig to Angie. We've decided that we're going to meet every Wednesday to hang out and help each other with projects and things around the house that are hard to do with kids. This Wednesday she's coming here, and we're going to tackle the floors! Or maybe she'll keep track of the four little ones while I clean the floors. We haven't worked out all the logistics, but I'm really looking forward to getting to know her better every week!

Tonight for dinner I made a new hamburger stroganoff recipe with ground turkey and without canned cream soup. Believe it or not, I actually bought and used fresh mushrooms in this dish! Well, thanks to Marie's suggestion, I put them in the food processor and pulverized them. They were hardly detectable by anyone (most importantly myself since I hate mushrooms).

Also, Margo is now sick. She's been in bed since this afternoon. She's got a fever like Piper had yesterday. The kids were exposed to Hand Foot and Mouth disease, so I'm pretty sure that's what they have. I already talked to Angie about it, and she thinks her four year old daughter has it right now, so she's not worried about the kids seeing each other on Wednesday, but we'll see how tomorrow goes I guess.

I am officially caught up! And now it's bed time!!