Christmas is tomorrow! All the busyness will be over with after tomorrow for another year. I'll be the first to admit that I despise shopping. I always have. I have always been the person that goes into a store with a list in hand or an item in mind to get in and out as fast as I can. I do not deviate from the plan. In fact, many will tease me, I don't even go near the stores on Black Friday! The only time I even remotely enjoy shopping is when I go with my husband Christmas shopping for our children. That is because we get a whole day together and we act like kids again playing with as many of the toys in the stores as possible, just having a great time together. The conversations we have together as amazing even when they are tough subjects. I will say that I do enjoy shopping with my girl friends but that is more about the time together than spending any money.
Anyway, that being said we had Christmas with our children over the weekend as Christmas day we are all pretty scattered and there just isn't time. Being a blended family we have had to start our own traditions for the Christmas season. For example, we have not had a Christmas tree the past few years, instead we have started decorating the fireplace mantle and putting the the gifts around the fireplace. Obviously it isn't a working fireplace. Surprisingly, this is something that the kids have really embraced and love at Christmas time around our house. The weekend was a success as far as the kids were concerned. I am always amazed at how they are thrilled at the smallest stocking stuffer and they play with them for hours on end! I just love watching them play in amazement. That joy and amazement makes all of the craziness of shopping worth it.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Next Chapter..........
Anyone who is an avid reader knows the anticipation of reaching the next chapter in a good book! The feeling you get as you end one good chapter to enter the next nail biting chapter. That's how I'm feeling right now........ that sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat feeling you have waiting for the next explosion to happen in your favorite movie.
My last post stated that we were moving into a different house and how all that came about. We are now about as settled as we are going to get in this house. It has become home and we are all enjoying the extra space.
We are now into August and the new school year is upon us. This past week we have had school registration for our kids and it began to hit me that both Colin and Hannah are really going into 6th grade. Then on Thursday we had 6th grade discovery day at the middle school. The kids received their school schedules which had their locker number & combination on it. Colin was so exited and Hannah was very nervous. They both got the team they wanted, which our best friend just so happens to teach language, so that eased the nerves a bit. Thursday was when reality really struck that our two oldest are now pre-teens and growing up. Even our youngest two are showing signs of growing up: David is going into 5th grade and Faith is going into 3rd grade. For both of them it will be their first time on their own at the elementary schools and they're beginning to make their own way now. I'm so excited to see how each of our 4 kids grows and matures this next school year. I pray they always keep sight of God and the path he has for them.
Jaret is continuing his courses through Moody Bible Institute and I am so proud of him! It's not easy to work full-time, be the soul bread winner for a family of 6, and go to school. I'm excited to where God is taking Jaret in his schooling and how his ministry is growing.
Now, for me, well this is an exciting time for me. I will be beginning EIU on August 20th and working towards getting my bachelors degree in Family & Consumer Sci w/ area of concentration in Family Services. It all became a little more real today as I went to campus and picked up my books. It took much prayer and many early morning discussions with God to get me to the point of even applying to EIU back in late May. God has opened the doors and I was accepted and my financial aid was approved. So now here I am at 36 going back to college and entering as a sophomore. I'm nervous, scared, and excited but I know that with Jaret's support and God's guiding hand I will do great!
With all that is going on in our lives as school begins this year I know that God has plans for each of us. I have prayed it all over to him and as long as I trust in His will I will succeed!
Jeremiah 29:11
11 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.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
On My Heart - Move
I'm not really sure how to start this post. There are so many thoughts flying around in my head at the moment on the direction I would like this to take. I should probably just let God have control.
Six months ago our close friends moved to Rushville about 3 hours away. After months of their home here not selling, sitting empty, and beginning to get frustrated they asked us if we would like to move into it and rent from them for as long as God had us here. Anyone who knows our family knows that we needed the extra room. See, 3-1/2 yrs ago we moved into a small 2 bedroom house. That may not seem so odd but we are a family of 6, 2 boys & 2 girls who have had to share one bedroom for the last 3-1/2 years. Now that the 2 oldest are going into 6th grade it really isn't feasible for the kids to all share a room. We loved this little house and really didn't want to move but we needed the extra room. I am so thankful for the opportunity our friends are giving us!
It has been a running joke that when we moved into the smaller house my dear husband only gave me one days notice before having to move. It was the end of January, very cold and I had nothing packed because I didn't have time to pack. We were moving 9 miles into town and 3 of our friends showed up to help us move. Thank goodness because I am not sure Jaret and I would've survived each other alone in that move! It was quite interesting to say the least.
Now, this time I had 3 weeks to pack up our house and move a total of 6 blocks away. Here is the kicker though we weren't telling the kids we were moving! So I was supposed to pack up a little at a time without setting off the kids radar. I had managed to get some items packed up and put into the basement without the kids knowing and the days/evenings they were gone I would take some boxes and other items over to the house and store them. I thought I was doing great till the actually moving day came along. Then I realized I hadn't gotten as much done as I had previously thought especially when I am trying to get a lot of the moving done while my husband was at work. That way he wouldn't have to worry about anything but the big items. Needless to say it was yet another stressful move. By the end of the weekend I was in tears more than once and all I wanted was to be done.
Now that we are all moved into our new house and I am sifting slowly through these boxes I realize that we have a lot of junk we have held onto over the last 3 - 5 years. I didn't realize we could pack so much "stuff" into a small house with 6 people and 3 dogs but somehow it happened. There is a lot I am just leaving in boxes and storing in the attic space as it is either seasonal or we just don't need it right now.
It's interesting moving into your best friends home. I mean think about it these are people we lived life with! We talked to them almost daily, several times a day, they have helped us through some of our toughest times these past few years. All our children played together, we would just pop in to hang out together. So we already have memories made here with them. I can still hear all 8 of the kids running up and down the stairs playing. Still see us sitting in the kitchen with our friends discussing ministry, kids, school, life in general.
As I sit here in the house tonight looking around at what I have already gotten done I can't help but feel as though it's not quite HOME yet. I have managed to get 2 of the 3 bedrooms, living room, 1 bathroom, kitchen, and utility room unpacked and organized. I still feel like I have so much to accomplish. Soon I hope to have our pictures on the walls and I am sure it will then feel like our HOME.
God had given us a great blessing not only with this house but with amazing friends.
Six months ago our close friends moved to Rushville about 3 hours away. After months of their home here not selling, sitting empty, and beginning to get frustrated they asked us if we would like to move into it and rent from them for as long as God had us here. Anyone who knows our family knows that we needed the extra room. See, 3-1/2 yrs ago we moved into a small 2 bedroom house. That may not seem so odd but we are a family of 6, 2 boys & 2 girls who have had to share one bedroom for the last 3-1/2 years. Now that the 2 oldest are going into 6th grade it really isn't feasible for the kids to all share a room. We loved this little house and really didn't want to move but we needed the extra room. I am so thankful for the opportunity our friends are giving us!
It has been a running joke that when we moved into the smaller house my dear husband only gave me one days notice before having to move. It was the end of January, very cold and I had nothing packed because I didn't have time to pack. We were moving 9 miles into town and 3 of our friends showed up to help us move. Thank goodness because I am not sure Jaret and I would've survived each other alone in that move! It was quite interesting to say the least.
Now, this time I had 3 weeks to pack up our house and move a total of 6 blocks away. Here is the kicker though we weren't telling the kids we were moving! So I was supposed to pack up a little at a time without setting off the kids radar. I had managed to get some items packed up and put into the basement without the kids knowing and the days/evenings they were gone I would take some boxes and other items over to the house and store them. I thought I was doing great till the actually moving day came along. Then I realized I hadn't gotten as much done as I had previously thought especially when I am trying to get a lot of the moving done while my husband was at work. That way he wouldn't have to worry about anything but the big items. Needless to say it was yet another stressful move. By the end of the weekend I was in tears more than once and all I wanted was to be done.
Now that we are all moved into our new house and I am sifting slowly through these boxes I realize that we have a lot of junk we have held onto over the last 3 - 5 years. I didn't realize we could pack so much "stuff" into a small house with 6 people and 3 dogs but somehow it happened. There is a lot I am just leaving in boxes and storing in the attic space as it is either seasonal or we just don't need it right now.
It's interesting moving into your best friends home. I mean think about it these are people we lived life with! We talked to them almost daily, several times a day, they have helped us through some of our toughest times these past few years. All our children played together, we would just pop in to hang out together. So we already have memories made here with them. I can still hear all 8 of the kids running up and down the stairs playing. Still see us sitting in the kitchen with our friends discussing ministry, kids, school, life in general.
As I sit here in the house tonight looking around at what I have already gotten done I can't help but feel as though it's not quite HOME yet. I have managed to get 2 of the 3 bedrooms, living room, 1 bathroom, kitchen, and utility room unpacked and organized. I still feel like I have so much to accomplish. Soon I hope to have our pictures on the walls and I am sure it will then feel like our HOME.
God had given us a great blessing not only with this house but with amazing friends.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Not just friends but FAMILY!!
Back in January this year we helped some very close friends, well family, move from Mattoon, IL about 3 hours away to Rushville, IL to pastor a church. It was difficult to see them leave. They helped us through some very tough times this past year and half. They were some of the only people who stood beside us when things got rough and tough. No matter what time of day or night they were always there. We spent a great amount of time with this family.
Our families met about 4 years ago through ministry, Jaret and Jason were both youth pastors and worked on a community outreach event together. Cheri (Jason's wife) and I became friends, sisters, confidants. We spent many hours talking over coffee at Common Grounds (local coffee shop) about family, our own walk, just life in general. I relied a lot on Cheri and her input in my life. If there was ever a problem or issue I couldn't quite handle I knew I could always call Cheri and she would talk me through it. With both of us having 4 kids and very busy family lives there was always something to talk about from school to ministry to families to just daily life. There weren't many days where our families didn't talked at some point. We took care of each others kids and pets.
Recently, Jaret and I had a weekend with absolutely nothing to do
(very unusual) so we went to see Avengers (great movie by the way).
Afterwards, wanting something to do we both said about the same time,
"Wish J and Cheri were still here. We could hang out with them for a
while." That's the sort of relationship we all had together. There were many evenings and weekends we would just drop by and hang out. Just to live life together, to enjoy each others families, bounce around ideas. We made a lot of great memories together and life long friendships. It's difficult to lose that sort of connection in a town where you feel very alone anymore, now that's not saying we don't have friends here because we do but there aren't many that we trust with EVERYTHING anymore because of life events. I know that all we have to do is call our friends but life gets busy and time gets away from you.
This sounds sappy and a tad bit crazy but sometimes I will still drive by the house where they used to live. The house is still for sale and every so often I try to go mow the yard as I know it is difficult to take care of from 3 hours away. There were a lot of tears cried there but they were way more fun times and laughter there also.
God has a reason for everything. He places people in your life for a season. I am thankful God brought our families together. Through that connection I found great peace in times of turmoil and that is priceless.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Must be doing something right..........
Wow, I can't believe it has been it has been a month and a half since my last post. Life in the Alvis household has been crazy busy since Christmas time. I feel very blessed for the life I have and what God continues to give me and my family. Our children are all healthy and happy. Jaret is doing much better after fighting for a month with a kidney stone and having it removed, so thankful it wasn't more serious than it was. We are at the height of competition season for Hannah in gymnastics. We are so proud of her for sticking with it even when it gets hard. I really don't have much to complain about, God is providing for all our needs and we have wonderful and great friends who are helping us along the way.
What has prompted this post was something that was said to me today. I was talking to Hannah's gymnastic coach today about upcoming competitions and how she was doing since the last meet when she said something to me I really was not expecting. Now anyone who knows my family understands that we do not use the word "step" when we refer to each other in conversations. I always introduce Hannah and Faith as my daughters, just as Jaret refers to Colin and David as his sons. Here is the conversation:
Coach: Hannah is very lucky to have you in her life.
Me: Really? Why is that?
Coach: Well, because you are so involved in her gymnastics, you're always at her competitions, you always are volunteering if anything needs done. There aren't many step-parents who would do as much as you do for her or be as involved. I don't even see many parents that committed anymore.
Me: Wow, Thank You! I'm very lucky to be able to be such a big part of her life. We've always taken the stance in our family that there are no steps, we are just one big family.
Now I'm not saying it's always easy, because it certainly isn't but we are blessed with 4 wonderful children who get along great when they are together. They don't fight often and are always watching out for one another. It is only by the grace of God that our family works as well as it does. Maybe part of the reason is Jaret and I always stand on a united front, especially when it comes to decisions and disciplining the kids.
I talk to many people who are constantly fighting another or pitting parent and step-parent against each other. I pray that they can find some peace and common ground in their lives. That they allow God to enter their lives and show them how to make it work.
The conversation with my daughter's gym coach was just what I needed to help me to realize that I really am doing this "parenting thing" right. There is no manual about how to truly, successfully blend two different families. God is helping me to do this and I am so thankful for His hand in my life and in the lives of my children when they are with us and away from us.
What has prompted this post was something that was said to me today. I was talking to Hannah's gymnastic coach today about upcoming competitions and how she was doing since the last meet when she said something to me I really was not expecting. Now anyone who knows my family understands that we do not use the word "step" when we refer to each other in conversations. I always introduce Hannah and Faith as my daughters, just as Jaret refers to Colin and David as his sons. Here is the conversation:
Coach: Hannah is very lucky to have you in her life.
Me: Really? Why is that?
Coach: Well, because you are so involved in her gymnastics, you're always at her competitions, you always are volunteering if anything needs done. There aren't many step-parents who would do as much as you do for her or be as involved. I don't even see many parents that committed anymore.
Me: Wow, Thank You! I'm very lucky to be able to be such a big part of her life. We've always taken the stance in our family that there are no steps, we are just one big family.
Now I'm not saying it's always easy, because it certainly isn't but we are blessed with 4 wonderful children who get along great when they are together. They don't fight often and are always watching out for one another. It is only by the grace of God that our family works as well as it does. Maybe part of the reason is Jaret and I always stand on a united front, especially when it comes to decisions and disciplining the kids.
I talk to many people who are constantly fighting another or pitting parent and step-parent against each other. I pray that they can find some peace and common ground in their lives. That they allow God to enter their lives and show them how to make it work.
The conversation with my daughter's gym coach was just what I needed to help me to realize that I really am doing this "parenting thing" right. There is no manual about how to truly, successfully blend two different families. God is helping me to do this and I am so thankful for His hand in my life and in the lives of my children when they are with us and away from us.
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