The news we've been waiting for

The captain was offered a job yesterday in the big city 1 hr away from us. It's with an aeronautical company working on business jets. They actually matched his previous salary and our medical benefits will begin immediately. This is a huge answered prayer.

My last day will be April 3 and he will start April 6. For now, he will make the commute and if everything goes well then we will want to move before the start of the school year. We just wouldn't ever see him with the commute and rush hour traffic.

I was a little sad to turn in my notice at work today. Everyone at work was very gracious about my short stay. All in all, I have really enjoyed working again. It was a nice break and reminder of my previous life before children. I will continue to work for them on some weekends. It's a little selfish, but I look forward to returning to the work place someday.

As with most things that have happened the last few months, we are both still a little stunned at all the changes and haven't quite absorbed the reality yet. We are just thankful for God's constant provision throughout the last 2.5 months. Thank you for all your prayers!

Mom's Birthday

Just when I thought I had nothing interesting to post on my blog this week, I received one of those musical birthday cards from my son.

The card says, "It's your birthday! Don't just sit there reading this card...Start celebrating!"

Let's just say we all had a good laugh. I don't know where that child gets his moves!

Things I don't like so much

Well, here's a few things I don't like so much about my new job.

1. I am so so tired. My job is a very physical one which is just plain exhausting. I need more sleep.

2. It's hard working, being mom and wife, and taking care of my house. I don't know how people do this all the time. I don't wish it on anyone.

3. I just hate leaving home when some of the kids are sick. I am the one that's supposed to be there. It's just not right.

4. My baby wouldn't come to me one day after I returned home from work. He kept clinging to my husband. I think he is mad at me. That was a kicker. He doesn't do it very often but it hurts anyway you slice it.

5. I miss baking and cooking. Baking takes time which I don't have a lot of these days. I have enjoyed the break from cooking as the house husband has taken over this job most nights. Is he awesome or what! But I still miss the enjoyment of it and feel kind of weird that I am not doing those tasks.

6. I miss my friends. I used to go to playgroup with other moms, attend Ladies' Bible Study, and do other activities during the week that I can't do now.

7. It's weird being out in the "world." Previously, most all of our activities revolved around church or people we knew from church. So I basically lived in a Bible bubble. Now I am out in the world where people cuss, are sometimes crass, openly mock God, and not everyone attends church. (Just to name a few.) It's just been a rude awakening.

These are part of the reasons that we had chosen for me to be at home during this season of child rearing. I am thankful for that time and look forward to returning to my full time mom role really soon.

The Grand Prix

The past weekend was the Annual AWANA Grand Prix. The kids are given a block of wood to shape and decorate anyway they like and then there's a race. Thanks to my husband the Apple Family has quite the reputation in the car race and this year they did not disappoint.

Here's the Captain. He was one of the guys who was in charge of the race this year. This was our church's first year to host our own race. They usually hire some guys to come and do it. All in all, it went really well.

The Captain made his own car (which I don't have a picture of.) He came in first in his "open" division.


Here's the Test Pilot's car. Can you tell we still love "CARS." Just in case you think it's Lightening McQueen- it's not. As my son will correct you it's Radiator Springs McQueen. It's all in the thunder bolt.



Here's Crash's car. This was his first year to race. He had so much fun.

Here's the boys and their trophies.

The test pilot won 2nd place in his age group. Crash won 1st in his age group and set a track record. The funny thing is, he doesn't even understand what's happening. He just wanted to race a car. He did like having a trophy to carry just like his big brother.

We had a great day! The test pilot is already working on ideas for next year's car. It never ends...