life changes

in other big news, jon went and observed an elementary school art class last week...and he absolutely loved it.  so after praying about this decision for months, we have decided to move forward with him going back to school to get his masters so that he can teach.

as a result of his wanting to go back to school and our desire not to take out loans if at all possible, we had come to the conclusion that now would be a good time for me to get a night job of some sort to help store up some income for the forthcoming season of need.  :)  we were praying, soliciting the prayers of others and beginning to do some research.  and in one of those super kind moments from the Lord, he dropped something into my lap that is better than i could have asked or imagined.

one of our neighbors that i like alot and really have wanted to get to know more just had a baby two months ago.  she is helping to put her hubby through seminary, and so she has to finish out teaching this year.  they have childcare for baby evan for every day except monday and some tuesdays, and so she called me on tuesday to find out if i would be willing to do it.  now, i definitely don't know how to wait tables or tutor kids in calculus, but i do know how to take care of a baby.  :)  so my new job will begin at the beginning of march.  isn't the Lord sweet to allow me to have a job i can do and still stay home with my kiddos (what i want to do)?  and not only that, but allow me to work for a family that i wanted to get to know more anyway??  so good.  He is so good.

we're on board at learning express!

big news around here, and lots of it!  last week, after some relatively painless negotiations, the learning express (an upscale toy store with super creative toys) in our area agreed to sell jon's paintings.  this is a huge answer to prayer as we have longed to find a place to display his art.  hip hip hooray!

and like any proud wife, i had to pop into the store after they got their display up and grab a photo.  his artwork is displayed right behind the check-out counter where it is pretty impossible to miss.  doesn't it just make you grin?

sweet sisters

this is how my girls watched sesame street this morning.

does it get any sweeter?

thrifty thursday on a friday night!

my dear friend zoe sent me an e-mail today with this deal, and i cannot wait to pass it on!  if you live anywhere around atlanta, this is a steal of a deal.

the georgia aquarium, which is amazing if you haven't been, is offering this great deal.  in their own words...

Me & Mommy $20 Ticket! For only $20, the Me & Mommy ticket includes Aquarium admission for one adult, free admission for children age 5 and under (maximum four children per paid adult) and free parking ($10 value). This offer is valid Monday-Friday, now through March 31, 2009, and can only be purchased online. Blackout dates are Dec. 26 and Dec. 29-31, 2008. You also have to bring the little ones along to take advantage of this great offer. So take a day and come see everything at the world's largest aquarium, big (beluga whales, whale sharks!) and small (clownfish!).

amazing as an adult ticket alone is $26.50, a child's ticket (ages 3-12) is $19.50 and parking is $10.  so this is a steal of a deal.  if you need to borrow a kid to make this deal work for you, let me know and come along with me and the girls!

friday night fun!

have you noticed the lack of family friendly primetime tv?  there is not ONE show that i would sit and watch with my girlies (and no, we don't have cable which does limit our options).  i have such fond memories of sitting around and watching the cosby show, family ties, growing pains and the likes with my fam.  so, this christmas we got season one and two of little house on the prairie dvds from our parents.  and now, on friday night, we load up on the couch and watch a new episode.  abby gets a little scared at the climatic moments (oh the dramatic music!!) and julia loves all the "horsies!"  i just love having all four of us crammed onto a love seat eating popcorn and enjoying something fun together.

what was your favorite show growing up?

clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere...

there is something about this time of year that makes me want to clean, eliminate clutter and organize (which includes LOTS of rearranging).  apparently, i am not alone.  however, julia was not so excited about my putting away the christmas decorations...

and i am stuck.  my brain loves to figure out creative storage solutions that actually work for me and for my fam, but i have come across an organizing dilemma-that feels like way to strong of a word for something that is merely organizational in nature.  nevertheless, i can't figure out how to store the girls puzzles and games.  a bookshelf seems like the obvious answer, but julia is at that stage where everything in sight gets pulled out and taken apart.  nightmare.  we have this shelving system from ikea which i adore and highly recommend.  however, it doesn't hold the bigger, oddly shaped puzzles.  hmmmm....

any suggestions?