To move or not?

Well, I did not get the job in Fort Myers. So I am in prayer on whether to move to North Carolina or not. My husband wants to move and I should listen to him because he is the head of the house. But, I have been in prayer and I do not feel God calling me either way to move or not. John says that God has confirmed in his heart to move. I know I need to be obedient it is just that this is an area that I struggle with. So I continue to pray I know that God will lead me to where I need to go. He is faithful and just. Prayer is needed for this.

God answers prayer!

Today I spent a long time in prayer. Many things in my life are difficult right now. Where do I start? Our business is dissolving our partner wants out and has been awful to me. We have a house in Naples we cannot afford any more and cannot sell. John and I separated a month ago and the kids hate me because of it. So for the last month I have boycotted God. I felt as thou he had left me. Well, two days ago I felt Him whisper to me. I began to feel the lonely pit inside of me and I knew I needed to get things right with Him. So for the last two days I have read the Bible, prayed and listened for God. He does answer prayer and sometimes so loudly it is like He is yelling at me. I prayed that he would show me his will and that I would know it without a doubt!

We our attorney called and said the fight is over. It did not end all in our favor but it is over and I think here on earth the devil wins those battles. I am just glad it was not a long court case.

We got an offer on the house in Longshore! It was a terrible offer but we countered and hopefully they take it. But it has been on the market for two years and this is the first offer so I am happy.

Lastly, John and I are really working to make the marriage work. I love him more than anything here on earth. We have our problems but hopefully with God's grace and strength we can make it.

Now I know that the answers weren't all that I wanted but for things to change that much in two days is God I know this. I know He is here holding me and caring me through this. Today is the first time in a long time that I feel Him with me and I think I can make it.

The last 18 months of my life has been nothing but trails and I know they have made me a better person and a person that walks closer to God so I praise Him for that. God has blessed me with so much in those trails that I would never want to change them. Like it says in James 1:2-4 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." I love this whole chapter of James as he encourages me to keep going that God will never leave me. Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." He is taking everything bad in my life and using it for good. I am excited to see what he has in store for me in this new journey in my life. I pray that I would follow his will and bring glory to His Holy name.

Luke's trip to Publix

I am the kind of person that likes to go to the grocery store by themselves. I rarely take the kids or my husband. So last week I had to take Luke with me to the store, which was the first time that I can remember ever taking him. I am sure he has been before but it had been at least six months to a year. Just to give background we also eat very little junk food in my house because I don't buy it. So Luke's eyes were huge!! He could not believe all the stuff in the store. We went down the chip isle and I thought he was going to have a heart attack. He was amazed that they had the same as at school. So we bought a couple of things that still today he said that those are school chips because he has never had them anywhere else. His face was priceless and I was on the phone with Laura not sure if she could hear him but it was so cute "mom it is school chips". I just had to post about how cute he was.

John's Birthday

This is the cake the kids and I made for John's 37th birthday! It was really good too. We hope that Daddy had a happy birthday!

Para sailing with Reza

We had a good friend of John's come for a visit this weekend. Reza drove down from VA to visit us. We meet at the beach and went para sailing here are the pictures. Luke and I were to scared to go so you can see us on the boat. The rest had a great time!! We also went jet skiing with Reza and just had a wonderful time. I hope we get to see him again soon.

The Weekend at Busch Gardens

We took Paige and Luke to Busch Gardens and Adventure Island for the weekend. Paige's birthday was July 2nd and Luke's is August 1st and John's is July 11th so it was every ones birthday presents! Which makes my life easy. Luke and I paid to go on this family excursion where we got to go where the animals are in the wild in the back of a truck! Both of us got to pet and feed a Giraffe. It was so amazing!! Luke loved it. We also got to see a baby rhino that was born in May. It was so small for a rhino.

Paige and John rode the roller coasters and also had a lot of fun. It was really hot so we left at 5:30 and went to the hotel where the kids swam until 9:30. The next day we went to Adventure Island which is a water park next to Busch Gardens. We all had a good time here we stayed until 6:00 at night! We rented a cabana by the wave which made the day so nice. Luke even took a nap in it. We were able to stay out of the rain and it was in a private area so no one could come by and it had a fan and a fridge. It was well worth the money!

Side note Carly I really miss you here! I hope all is well with you and the baby and Kevin is loving his job!

Paige's Birthday cake

I think this is the cutest cake ever!!

Birthday Tea with Paige

Yesterday Paige and I went to tea at the Ritz in Naples and had a great time. She had the best hot chocolate ever and the sandwiches and scones were as good as ever! Today we are going to the melting pot which is Paige's favorite place and it should be a great family time.

Paige's 11th Birthday

Tomorrow is Paige's 11Th birthday!! So the festivities have began. We went shopping for her birthday presents last week and found lots of cool clothes. So today we are headed to tea at the Ritz! I know she picked this for me but I am not going to complain since it is one of my favorite things to do. Tomorrow we are going to the melting pot for dinner just the family. Then Saturday she gets to have a friend sleep over and go to the water park!! I hope she enjoys the week and her birthday!