Blessings

The upcoming move is coming up soon, and yet we're still in the Army's hurry up and wait. Waiting on paperwork so we can finish up to drop off passport paperwork. Chad did everything he needed to, but his unit's been out in the field, training so now that they're back, we're hoping what paperwork needs to be finished can be done tomorrow, so that Monday we can go drop off all the paperwork. He has a briefing next Friday, then we'll hopefully have orders the following week. PRAY we have orders the following week, because we have to schedule transportation, schedule to have my van shipped, make sure that we'll be able to get our dog and cat on our flight(s). I'm not worried about leaving Germany, because from my understanding the military flight we'll be on will be fine, but we hope to actually carry on our pets and place them under our seats for the 2nd flight since they are both the right weight.I'm not stressing, just ready to get things rolling since we know there's a lot to do.

My dear friend Petra has been spending time with my oldest 3 kids every week. I'm hoping we can all have a day together to spend and visit. My heart just aches leaving her. She's married to a German, so we won't just cross paths with her again, without a good deal of planning, whether it's visiting Germany (which we have every expectation to do), or visiting her when she comes to the states to visit her parents. She's been such a source of strength, friendship, and accountability to me in the last 7 1/2 years. I just can't imagine not being able to see her once a week. I know that the Lord brought us together and he will not end our friendship. I'm thankful that he allowed us to come together and grow together. I'm so thankful that the Lord brought such an amazing woman in our lives, who loves my children with all her heart and as much as she loves her own children. We are truly blessed and so thankful.

I have a great deal of laundry to do! So far behind it's not even funny. I keep saying I'm just going to take it all to the laundry matt, but haven't yet. It really would make it much easier if I did just take it all there and have it all washed, dried, and folded. No matter it all has to be done before our movers come! So at least I have a time limit. I've asked my family to hold me accountable to be doing laundry all day every day (as in the washer should be constantly going from 9-4) and if it is, I should be able to get caught up fairly easily. Pray for me, no seriously, pray for me! It seems ridiculous, but I do NOT like doing laundry and I know women who like it, but I am NOT one of those people!! Speaking of laundry I have blankets on my couch that need to be folded and my washer's almost done, so I can say I got some done today and can let a load of whites soak over night. I do remind myself that having laundry to do is a blessing, it means that we all have clothes to wear, which with the grace of GOD, we've barely bought because the Lord has blessed us with friends who have given us clothes for our kids. I'm so thankful.
Washer's done...off I go!

Back

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since I last blogged. Life's been busy to say the least and we have so much coming up...so where to start!
We're buys with Emma in ballet and playing soccer. Normally soccer for 3-5 year olds is only 6 weeks total (3 weeks of nothing but practice and then 3 weeks of games), this year 3 weeks of practice (first week we were rained out) and 6 weeks of games (which we are continuing practices too). Jacob and Jackson are playing football. They are on the same team, have practice twice a week, and games on Saturdays. The boys are also taking piano lessons, we have homeschool art, choir, and gym. Add in PWOC (my bible study Wednesday mornings) our life is kind of crazy, oh and yeah we manage to fit in school every day as well!
Our other big news is that after 7 1/2 years of living in Germany, our time is coming to an end. Chad will be getting medically retired, so we're moving back to the states and he'll be in a WTU unit (Warriors Training Unit...which is for soldiers who have been injured) this will be his transition unit as he retires. He'll medically retire, but will still have 20 years in by the time all is said and done. We're planning on buying a house, so if you'd all pray. We have never owned our own home so we're pretty overwhelmed at all of it. We have found a home we like. A 4 bedroom house on 5 acres, with an above ground pool and deck (both brand new) and an outdoor kitchen, a machinery barn,  hay barn, lean to, and garage. We would like to add 2 more bedrooms and a family room, so we'll have to see if we can add this all in when purchasing or if we'll have to do it in a couple years, which would put him retired, but hopefully with a Government Service job on the civilian side of things. The house is great size (a little bigger than the house we live in now), the land would be perfect for what we're wanting (a couple horses and a steer that we'll fatten up and have butchered). We know that if this is the house the Lord has planned for our family, it will happen.

We're still waiting on orders that we were supposed to have a week ago, but so goes the Army and doing what they say...it's a hurry up and wait process. We just really want to get the house packed up and sent on its way and our van shipped out...both as soon as possible so that once we get to the states we don't have to wait for our van or household items and can hopefully get settled into a home quickly.

School, I know I mentioned it briefly above, but it's going really well. Jackson's making great progress in his reading skills and rarely needs help. This has been a major prayer and he's answered. It's exciting to see his progress from week to week and I know that by the end of our school year, his reading is going to be right on target. Jacob's doing great. Next year he'll be in 7th grade, so we'll be changing up his curriculum, with things that will challenge him more, will be more than just book work, etc. Emma's in kindergarten and is loving reading, she's not feeling the math so much, so we're taking a break on the math and just focusing on reading right now. We're doing  Learn How to Read in 100 easy Lessons and she's on lesson 6 as of today and really amazing me. I'll be adding in handwriting in the next few weeks and we'll reintroduce math very soon. Noah likes to join in with our reading lessons, which is so sweet and fun and helps to keep him occupied since I am one on one with Emma (the big boys are more on their own and just come to me when they have questions).

Olivia's Army crawling now!! She's such a sweet and happy and loved baby girl! All our kids have been happy babies, but Olivia Joy lives up to her middle name in a whole new way! Everyone always comments on how happy she is. She's almost always smiling and often laughing. She smiles with her WHOLE face. All the other 4 kids are so in love with her. What I find amazing though is how much Emma and her look alike at this age. I was looking at pictures of Emma and all of the kids thought she was Olivia! Poor Noah was so confused!! LOL

Noah's all two! He's a sweetheart and ornery all at the same time! He loves cuddles, hugs, and kisses and bugging his older siblings. He is still obsessed with balls...football, soccer, baseball, basketball. He practices with Emma's team (Chad's the coach) and honestly for a 2 year old, is very good. He throws a baseball with scary force and speed, and can catch a football! He also loves to color and write and likes playing with his cars. He also would live outside if we allowed him to. He loves playing on his scooter and bike and just running and playing.

I'm truly sitting here in awe of the fact that the Lord has blessed me not once, but 6 times with amazing children to grow and nurture. I fail miserably quite often, and when I feel like I'm the worst mother in the world, I look at them and their faces are so often full of smiles. They're funny, full of joy and such life. So although I am anything but perfect, I mess up too often. I say things too harshly, discipline strictly...they're good and happy kids.



I'm going to try to get better about writing. I'm going to make a goal of at least once a week. Hopefully I can!

VBS

We have VBS this week! Excited! We're doing Group: Sky! I'm the leader to kick off and end each day and in between will help where needed! Jacob's going to be volunteering this year vs participating. He's going to be Flash Skyrunner for my daily skit and then will be helping with the crafts station.

If  you haven't been keeping up with the Johnson's...Katie is no longer sedated. She asked the first day she was completely clear about Sarah and so Jody and Judy had to tell her that Sarah's in Heaven. She's now in the beginning days of grief, while she continues to heal. They're hoping she'll be heading to the Rehab area of the hospital very soon. Keep praying for all of them, as they grieve for Sarah, for the life they once knew/had, as they all try to help Katie physically heal as well as emotionally get through everything.

If you want to stay updated: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/judyhyttenjohnson

I'm off to sleep, it's after 1 AM and I need to be up in abut 6 to 6 1/2 hours.

God Bless

Johnson update

I wanted to update on the Johnson family. Katie is still in the hospital, still sedated. They have done a total of 2 skin grafts and think that is all she will need. Her face is almost completely healed, and they hope they'll be able to extubate her possibly tomorrow and hopefully start trying to wake her up soon.
Judy is in a back brace and will be in one for a few months, but is walking and walking without even the support of a cane.
They had Sarah's funeral, which was for family and very close friends last Thursday and then had a community wide memorial service for her on Saturday afternoon, which was attended by hundreds in the community.
They are currently living in a house that is owned by a German couple (which is just a God thing, since they lived here in Germany for 6 plus years and love Germany) and who's offered to sell them the house, they've also been offered to help them rebuild where their previous house was. All their physical needs that they could possibly need or want has been provided and still being provided. So many in their community and throughout the world is stepping up to do what they can. I know that the village they used to live in, here in Germany has raised a great deal of money to donate to them, since it's what they can give to them to help them and show them how much they're loved from this side of the world.
I often find myself in tears in grief and awe. The Lord is showing his glory in so many ways through this tragedy. Sarah's with Jesus and I know they'll miss her forever, even when they rejoice that she's walking with our Lord, she was a piece of their heart and she's gone now.
Please pray for Judy and Katie's continued physical healing. Pray for all 6 of them (as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends) as they begin the emotional healing. To have your world literally blow up, to lose your child and sister...there's a long road of healing.
We serve an awesome God, a father who loves us and holds us through every trial that we're dealt with. He never leaves us. We don't always understands why he allows the things that happen in this world, to happen. What I know though is he loves us. He cares about us. He comforts us. He died for us. Sarah loved the Lord and she's now with him.
How Great is our God? He did allow their home to explode, in that explosion he welcomed HIS sweet Sarah home to Heaven, he showed a family how loved and cherished they are not only in their small community of Wilson, but throughout the world. The Lord showed them he'd provide for them in their dire circumstances. We have an awesome and just amazing Lord.
If you'd like to keep up to date with the Johnson's, they have a caringbridge page that, Judy's sister, Kathy is keeping updated for the time being:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/judyhyttenjohnson

Blessings

This past Tuesday precious friends of ours had their lives change for ever. Their home exploded from what is expected a propane leak. The Johnson's have 5 children. Katie who will be 19 tomorrow, Hannah and Nathan who are twin 16 yr olds, 14 year old Sarah, and 10 year old Sam. Judy and Jody (mom and dad) are Christ-loving, hard working, amazing people. Jody retired from the Army after serving 22 years in the service and Judy is a veteran herself and now a Hospice nurse. Jody works for his childhood friend in construction. Hannah and Sam were not home the morning of the explosion. Judy has 3 broken ribs and 4 broken vertabrae's and was released from the hospital today. Jody and Nathan both were bruised, but otherwise amazing ok and were released yesterday. Katie suffered burns to 40% of her body, she had a skin graft on her foot and hand yesterday and although her face suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns, they  believe yesterday was the only time Katie will need surgery, nothing but the Lord right there. Sarah, sweet, sweet Sarah. She's with Jesus. She did not survive the explosion. Once Katie is out of the hospital, which will be a few weeks most likely, they'll have her funeral. This family is one of the most giving families you could ever meet. My heart is heavy for them, yet I have hope because the Lord is doing amazing things in the small town of Wilson, New York. He's bringing people to the Lord, he's showing this amazing family how loved they are. They literally have just had visitors one after another while in the hospital.

I don't know why the Lord allows the things he does. I can tell you though his glory will shine. There WILL BE Beauty from the ashes.
Please be in prayer for this family, as they deep for their precious Sarah and as they heal.

Running

Yesterday was a workout for sure! We had a fun day, going to a castle we'd never been to, or even heard of for that matter, only about an hour away, then went to Wurzburg and walked along the All Saints Bridge, which we'd never done. We used to go to Wurzburg a lot and love the city, but had never went to the famous bridge and I'm so glad we did. We walked a great deal yesterday and we didn't get home until after 8 PM. I had promised Jackson we'd go running, and have to say if it weren't for him, I don't think I'd have done it last night. We'd stopped and had Taco Bell on our way home and let me tell you, I will NEVER eat Taco Bell again. It didn't agree with me during my pregnancy with Olivia and well it still doesn't. So, Jack and I went out about 9 last night and off we went. I didn't plan on running a full mile since my stomach was just all over the place, but then I ran into my friend S, who was running and so she went off of her route and went with me. She pushed me to go faster, she talked which helped me to keep my mind off the pain in my legs and stomach, well until we slowed down to turn around and yeah, threw up and then kept on going, I ran the 2nd 1/2 mile home. I was definitely sore when I got home, but it felt good. It felt good to know I'd done something good for myself, and well thankfully all of Taco Bell was out of my system, thankfully.

Today I was sore, so very very sore. I'm still sore and it's almost 2 AM!
Tomorrow night I'm going running again and it'll again be after another busy, but fun-filled day. We're going to Pottenstein to the rollerbahn,paddleboats, and caves.

So I AM doing this! I'm hoping that in a months time I'll see 10 lbs off of me, then hopefully with diet changes and running as well as adding in weight lifting that I'll be adding in to my workouts in the next few weeks, will help to get this weight off. I plan on changing things up every month to every 6 weeks, so my body doesn't stop loosing weight. I know it may seem unreasonable, but I do have a goal of 10 lbs a month. I know I may not hit that goal every month. I know I will most likely it a plateau at some point, but I am going to work my butt off (hopefully literally!!).

So here's my various goals for the next 2 weeks.
Run 6 miles.
4 hours on Eliptical (the plan is 4 days a week for 30 minutes)
2 days of Zumba a week.

Then, the following two weeks I plan to up the running to 8 miles
5 hours of Eliptical
3 days of Zumba

Eating/Drinks:
Only water
upping my fruits and veggies
Planning on fruit for breakfast (not a big fan of breakfast most days) with scrambled eggs on weekend.
Lunch will be healthy sandwiches and wraps
Dinners will be a variety as our family normally does, but I will be limiting my portions.
Lots of fresh fruits and veggies for snacks..when I'm bored my plan is to grab fruits or veggies. I am planning on making angel food cake and enjoying strawberries and angel food cake (no cool whip).

I am writing this all out for an accountability.
I've told Chad to not buy me anymore Dr. Pepper. He loves me no matter what my size, but wants to support me in getting healthy. He knows how unhappy I am with my weight and just how I look. I know I will never be the size I was when we got married. 6 babies have widen these hips and there's no way they're ever going back to where they were! I'm truly ok with that. I don't expect to have a flat stomach, just a smaller one (and smaller butt! LOL no seriously it needs to be smaller). These are not just temporary changes, these are forever changes. I want to be healthy for myself and my family. I want my kids to never feel embarrassed by me, because of how fat I am. I want to be a good example to my kids, especially my girls and show them a healthy body image. I don't want them to be obsessed with their weight, just show them that with hard work and eating healthy will keep them healthy. Being skinny does not equate health. I know many see this and don't understand that, but it's true. I have seen and know some very unhealthy "skinny" people. It's about excercising and eating healthy. I don't want to eat our of boredom, sadness, happiness anymore. I want to fuel my body with food and then move on. The fact is, food has never made me emotionally feel better, instead it's made me feel worse. It's time to use food as the Lord designed it. That's to fuel my body, give me energy.

I plan to have one day a week where I don't workout and allow myself a splurge on eating. I plan to make this normally Friday's when we go to the Hospitality House.
I can do this. I will do this. I AM doing this.

Thank you for your prayers and support, it means far more than you can imagine. I can do all things through Christ!!

Here I Go (Again)

I have fallen off the wagon so to speak. I've not been running in far too long and started drinking stupid dr. pepper again. I have one left and then no more and tomorrow the running will start up again. With drinking the pop, I've been craving the sweet, a great deal more than when I was running. I'm so tired of this ridiculous cycle. I'm done. I'm done. I'm done. We have an eliptical that I'm going to drag inside tomorrow and on my off days of running or on rainy really hard days, this is what I'll work out on. I have big changes in eating that are about to start and once I start it, I'll blog about it, because I need the accountability and hopefully the encouragement.

I can say that without a doubt working out really effects my mood. I've been honestly really sad lately, find myself not feeling sorry for myself, just not overwhelmed in all the joy that is my life. I want to be clear that I'm not depressed, just find myself feeling sad or blah more often than I like. I have a husband who loves me, beautiful, funny, smart children who are all in different fun and challenging stages...I want to enjoy all of it. I find myself grumpy and yelling more than I like, more than is necessary by any means, and find myself just flying off the handle over little stuff. So...here I go, again. I recognize that excercising and eating right has a huge impact on me emotionally as well as physically, so I MUST do this. I can't quit, ever. I know that my weight will be a fight for me for the rest of my life, if I don't stay on top of things. My biggest prayer over all of this is that I don't get a dellusional image of my body when I have reached my goal weight/size. I have seen it happen to people who've lost a lot of weight like I need to. They get to a healthy weight and size and then keep going to a point that they're unhealthy on the otherside. So, I'm ready to get healthy and stay healthy. I'm ready to be healthy physically as well as mentally/emotionally.

I know that part of my emotional well being is being in the Lords word daily, multiple times a day. I have been feeling the Lord reminding me that I must be in his word every day and I must be in it on my own, as well as with my children.

So, here I go. Tomorrow's my day.

My sweet baby girl is 4 months already. It's amazing how quickly time goes by. Don't let anyone tell you that it doesn't and it does not matter how many children you have, it goes by too quickly no matter what. Oh if I could only slow things down.

So Miss Olivia is Miss Personality. She's always smiling and just a happy baby girl. She's rolled a few times, but honestly I haven't really put her down on the floor much to give her an opportunity. I learned that the less you put them down, the longer until they're mobile and lack of mobility is a beautiful thing for as long as you can do it! LOL I'm joking, but honestly I'm in no hurry for her to be rolling all over, because rolling leads to crawling, crawling leads to walking. Sigh...then running, jumping, and then heading to collage. Ok so maybe I skipped some years in there, but it just all goes by so quickly.

Olivia just hanging out in her carseat

she was 3 months old here 

My sweet, happy girl 

3 months old 

My cutie...3 months old 

Silly face...4 months old 

Miss Flexible

She smiles with her whole face 

My beautiful girl 

Jack,Noah, and Jacob 

My beautiful girls...Olivia and Emma 

Crazy Army Life

Life is never boring when the Army is part of your life, that is for sure! First we were told we'd be staying here to retire and now we're being told to prepare to move before the end of this year. We've been stationed here for 7 years and the thought of leaving Germany just takes my breath away and the tears start to flow, but...I see God working.

Chad is working to get a GS job when he retires. For us to have a housing allowance as part of that move, he needs to be hired state-side. If we remained in Germany and he was hired as ultimately a local hire, there'd be no housing allowance. So this way the Army moves us back to the states, if he gets hired, the government will move us and we'll get a housing allowance there for saving Chad's pay for our bills, savings, etc. We have a lot to still learn about what civilian life will bring us, but it's exciting (I'll admit a tad bit scary, but in a good way). The older boys are just itching to move back to the states. I think they believe we'll be eating out every day, lol.

We do not know where we'll be stationed in the states, yet. Chad's requesting Alaska. If we get that, it'll be an amazing gift, as we have dear friends who leave tomorrow to head back to the states (they don't leave Germany tomorrow, just our post) who are heading to Alaska and to the particular post we'd be able to go to. Emma calls the mom of this family, Grandma, so this would be such an amazing blessing. Chad's dreamed of going to Alaska for years, I think it'd be an amazing experience for our family, and we'd be able to be with our dear friends and Emma's sorrogant Grandma who loves her dearly.

We don't have a pin point date of leaving, no pinpoint new assignment to end this career of Chad's and a way of life we've known. But what we do know is that GOD is in control. We see him working in so many ways and don't see him working in even more ways. So for now, I'm waiting and trusting. Waiting on the Lord (through the US Army) to tell us where we are heading to next. So now I wait,  hopefully patiently and gracefully.

Couch to 5 K

I thought i needed to update about this journey, torchure, what ever you want to call it! LOL I have taken this week off. I have had a great deal to do and although it's just 20 to 30 minutes, I think my body needed this rest. I've gained over 10 lbs, well I lost 10 and gained it back. I'm frustrated, and I mean really frustasted with that. I'm so hungry and this fat girl really can not afford this mess. I did not gain the 10 lbs this week, it's been over the last 4 or so weeks. I can't say I'm really eating more, I think my body is just holding onto things more. I also have been trying to make sure I'm eating enough. I'm going to talk to someone tomorrow. I did weigh myself yesterday and a couple lbs were off, so we'll see. I haven't added in the Zumba workouts like I'd planned, but it's time to do that next week.

So next week I'll be back on this journey and will let you know how it goes.