Stay at home life

The biggest adjustment for me is staying home and not working. And also not working with Brian. 

We would have lunch together everyday. Now I see him for just a few hours out of the day. And usually there is some kid in the background screaming. 

I've learned I need to keep JT busy. Which is hard in this heat. On the days that we don't go to the park, he helps me work out. 

This is me doing squats with him on my back. Take that black girl legs! 

As hard as it is for me to stay home, this is an answer to prayer. We didn't have enough money to send Liam to GRACE staff care. I didn't want to miss out on their lives and I was tired of have a house that was disfunctional. Also I knew that it was best for our marriage if we stopped working so closely. 

But now I get to hear the giggles (and screams). There's always food in the fridge, dinner is usually cooking by the time Brian gets home. I'm thankful for this answer to prayer -- even though it's not exactly how I envisioned it. 

Among the other things I'm praying for- I've stated to pray about a second car. It's starting to get tricky. During the day it's fine- but if somebody needs a ride home from church, it gets a little tight. If I have screaming children and need to leave - Brian has to find a way home. Not sure what the answer is. But I'd appriciate the prayer. 

-j

Week 3

This is week 3 of stay at home mom life.  

It's different. Good, I know it's what I need to do right now, but different.

It's hard staying at home with the boys, especially when it's too hot to go outside. We go the park and have to leave by 10/10:30 because it's just too hot. 

JT is still having a hard time adjusting. He has good moments and bad moments. We Face Timed Brian's dad earlier this week - JT kept saying "Grandaddy, I want to go to your house," and then he would say that he was sad. But the flip side of that - when I pick him up from the church nursery he always tells me how much fun he had. I know it will just take time for him to get use to things. 

Liam no longer sleeps. Which is fun. Pretty sure he hates me. 

Both boys won't stop eating. Wednesday mornings I've been making a big breakfast, just something special because Brian doesn't usually go into work until Lunch time. Anyway - Home boy ate 2 waffles, an egg, 4 slices of bacon, and a bowl of fruit. Less than 3 hours later he told me he was hungry. 

Brian's job is going well. I'm so happy for him, I can tell he's really enjoying it.  I had forgotten how hard building a ministry was. There are only about 30 high school students - for a church of around 1500, thats a huge disconnect. We've been bouncing ideas around on how to get kids to come. I'm excited to see what God does with this up coming school year. 

Sorry for those of you who have wanted an update. Being sick set me back. Praise the Lord I'm feeling like a human again. 

We appreciate all those who are praying for us.

Pray that we will continue to meet people.

Pray for wisdom for Brian, that he will lead the ministry in the direction that Jesus wants it to go in.

<3 we love you all. For those on the East coast who are reading this, we miss you tons! 

Colligans get sick

The boys and I have been sick. JT got sick first, followed by Liam, followed by me. So awesome. Pretty terrible way to start stay-at-home-mom life. But it could be worse, we could be puking. 

So we've been sick and then Brian had to go on a two night retreat. Which we are use to, just not this close to moving. 

People have been so sweet. One of the pastors took JT to the play ground and the pool on Monday. (Which was the pastors day off) it still makes me cry if I think about it- it was so sweet. Somebody else brought me tea, and somebody else brought us dinner last night. Potbelly's at that. So thankful for the Body of Christ. I've been so blessed. 

So this morning I took a little boy outside to get his wiggles out. 

Shout out to nana wees who got JT these awesome 3D Lightening McQueen bubbles. 

Pray I continue to feel better. 

And Praise God for those who looked after me while B was gone. 

life so far

So I wrote another blog, that never got posted. BUT

My parents left a week ago, and we've officially been here for two weeks. We're adjusting well. Brian loves his new job. We really like it here. Saturday we go to the farmers market and get meat and veggies for the week. It's nice because there is no scary amish mafia guy, and everybody has the normal amount of teeth.

The boys and I have had fun. It's only the beginning of day 4. Jt loves to play outside, but we have to be in and out by 10am ish or wait until just before bed. It's weird staying inside in the summer.

Monday Brian went to work, which was weird because, 1. for the last four years monday has been his day off and, 2. I didn't go with him. I'm excited, but it's definitely weird.

I'm learning my new role. Learning how to love in help my husband as a home maker, and asking for God's grace every step of the way. The hardest is when JT asks (usually in tears) to go home. Or when we are talking to our fam, or wees he'll say "I want to come with you" or "Are you coming to my house?" He'll even tell me to make sure I feed Will. He doesn't understand. As hard as that is, I know he will have new people to hang out with, and new people who will love him. God is so faithful to place people in our lives when we need them. Right now I'm enjoying a slower pace of life.

Pray:
Jt is getting sick. Couldn't be a worse time. (not that there is a good time for your child to get sick)

Pray I continue to press into Christ through all these changes.

Praise God for the body of Christ. We've had so many people check in with us, making sure we are ok. If we need anything. I have been given a list of doctors and nail salons (priorities right?). We've had people take us out to dinner. I spent time with the women's ministry director. God is good.

Ok, this has gotten too long - as some point I'm sure you started skipping through. Off to change a dipper. Yay for my new job!

-j

Tey-has!

We've made it.

The plane ride went well. I'm so thankful my parents came to help. Flying with one kid is super easy compared to two. I learned I can't fly with two on my own. Struggle. Is. Real. 

Praise the Lord for the Body of Christ.  We had trouble getting in our apartment because I needed to pay by check. Which was on the truck. But somebody came to our rescue. 

The truck pulled up and magically a small army showed up. They probably in loaded in a half an hour. Talk about overwhelming. We thought it was going to rain and it did, but it stopped before Brain got here. 

We've been so blessed. People put together our room and the boys room. We had teens organize all their toys and books. Somebody unpacked all of our clothes. People brought baskets of food, bought groceries, toilet paper, paper towel. People were washing our dishes aim any sink they could. We had teenagers running around with HT. and admist the crazy was this one. 

Passed out! 

Thank you all who have helped and prayed. From here to Maryland. And a special thanks to my parents who helped me travel, and to Davey who came down with Brian. Driving 20 outs in a Penske is no joke. 

Pictures of our place coming soon! 

The end is not near its here

Fourth of July was a bust- we were suppose to to the DC thing but it rained. So we just came back to fairfax. And by rained I mean poured for a half hour at least 

Then Monday the movers came. 

Then that night we said goodbye to our fam. Which was probably the hardest thing yet. 

It's all becoming very real. I'm in fairfax with the boys and my parents. Brian is somewhere in Tennessee. Pray for them. Pray they arrive safely in Texas 

Pray all goes well with the official lease signing .

Praise God that all of our stuff fit in that truck and our car. 

Pray I have enough diapers to last tonight and tomorrow. Potty training will commence in Texas.

Pray our flight and car rental process go well. 

Pray nobody steals our stuff from the truck. 

Tonight the boys and I say goodbye to Brian's parents- pray for that as well. 

Prayer update

We are set for our lease. They have been having trouble with their system so they will prorate our rent. 

Tomorrow I'll call and see what I need to do about power. 

Tomorrow is moving day. We're not ready for movers. 

Pray all goes well. 

SUPPER stressed out