Catching up!

To catch many of you up to date on the happenings at the Stinson household might take a LONG time( I could actually write a book about it all-hehe), but I am going to try to give you a somewhat brief version. Hopefully this might explain why we have been MIA for a while.

Think back to December. Christmas was wonderful! We were able to spend Christmas Eve and morning at our house. Uncle Shawn came to share in the joy of the morning. Both girls loved all of their new toys! We are still trying to find a place to put all of those darn toys(and its February!) We were able to travel to Alabama for a few days to spend with my family. After several days of blizzard like conditions, David was able to make it home from Portland to spend Christmas with us. However, we almost didn't recognize you through all the hair-haha! Then, the following weekend, we were able to spend Christmas with Chris's side of the family. We feel so truly blessed to have such a wonderful family! We love you all!

Fastforward to the Monday after Christmas. I remember as clear as day. I was taking down decorations and putting them in the attic, when I heard Chris's car come home. It was the middle of the day. What was he doing home? His only words were as he walked in the door was, "I got laid off". There is nothing that prepares you for a moment quite like that. You hear about it on the news, but never really think it could happen to you---until it does. The things that ran through my mind during the next few minutes were completely terrifying. What were we going to do? How are we going to make it? OMG- I have to go back to work!!

3 days later, after things had settled, I did just that. I began applying for jobs at local preschools. Afterall, I am a teacher and I do love children. After days of praying and trying to listen to what God wanted for me at this point in my life, I accepted that he wanted me to go back to work and that Carrington Academy would be the place for me. They quickly offered me the job of lead teacher for the 1 year-old room, and hopefully take over the GA Pre-K program in the Fall. Thank God for answered prayers. I may not become rich by working at a preschool, but at least I can work, take my children to work with me, and get half off of my childcare tuition. (I love having my girls with me, because I can see them, visit with them, and even watch as they do and learn something new for the first few times)But, it did take a long time for me to become adjusted--a room full of 16-18 one year olds is terrifying! Luckily our numbers are down now to 12 and I am blessed to have 2 amazing assitant teachers and a wonderful staff to work with--plus I get an hour off for lunch vs. 20 minutes in public schools, AND I very rarely have to take my work home-yay! Fortunately, it is all working out so well. I do enjoy what I do.

So, I know that leaves you wondering about Chris. Yes, this economy stinks. Its all over the news, the unemployment rate is skyrocketing, yadayadayada. . . We feel extremely blessed Chris actually got several job offers within the month and has started work and has been there for just over a month now. God does answer prayers, and he does provide for all our needs, if we have faith and trust in him. With much faith and patience through the past several months, God directed our paths in the way he wanted us to go. We feel that all that has happened to us in the past few months has been somewhat of a blessing in disguise. We have learned so much about ourselves and our lifestyle that we probably wouldn't have learned had this situation not have occured. We have also started appreciating all the "small things" of life so much more.

With all this change in our lives, the next few months will continue to be a little difficult, but we do see the "light at the end of the tunnel." Please continue to keep us in your prayers as our family continues down this new path.

And, yes, I do have new pictures, that I will get posted over the next few nights! You wouldn't believe how much my girls have grown!!