It's the weekend...:)

So, it is Saturday, YAY!  Just relaxing with my hubby while the kids play with their friends.  We got some rain this week, rather some storms!  It was great!  But, not enough to make the drought problem go away. I am really concerned about the prices jumping up even more now.  But, it is out of my control, so I can only do what I can do.  I have had an interesting couple of days.  Had some girl time with one of my good friends, yes, we were running "errands", but I think we both needed the down time and away time.  It was great to laugh and share good times again.  Hubby is feeling a lot better now...so thankful!  I really don't know what I am blogging about, I just felt like writing today.

Hubby missed 2 days of work this week, that is 20 hours! WOW! But, the boss let him come in to work today for a half day, so that was awesome.  Next week is a new week.  I can't believe in less than 2 weeks I will be at Nationals for Tastefully Simple! I can't wait. I don't know how I am going to do it, but it will be great!  Best part, my  mom is going with me!  She signed up in April, I am really excited. I know we will have a blast!  I always do with my fellow Tastebuds!

School starts Aug. 1!  I was able to pick up most of the kids supplies, just need a backpack for the oldest,even though last year he refused to carry one!  I had several items left over, so that is good, just want to stock up on things they seem to use a lot of during the year while stuff is on sale. One thing I realized, this is the first year that neither of my kids need MARKERS!  I know, nothing major, just that they are growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!

Simon is growing so fast, I can't keep up! I guess so fast it was like over night, his underwear was too tight!  How does that happen over night??!!  He is so stinking adorable!  Mateo went to the doctor this week, we had a scare from a skateboard wipe out, he is 85 pounds and 4 ft. 10 inches already! He is only 10! He wears a size 7.5 men's shoe!!!!  They have their physicals in October, so I will be anxious to see how tall they both are!

Well, I guess I have rambled enough...gonna go make some yummy beef and noodles for dinner!  Church tomorrow, God is so Awesome!

Laters Baby!

Always lean on my Father...

So, things have been a bit chaotic around our household as of late.  Last week, Mateo wiped out on his skateboard, fell on his arm...no bruising or swelling, so I just figured he bruised it inside, nothing broken.  Well, today, he was still complaining, so I called the pediatrician. Got him there, it was slightly swollen, so we  went to get X-rays...thankfully,nothing is broken!

Poor Mike hasn't been feeling well.  He had a few episodes a few months ago with dizziness and light-headedness.  So, he went to our doctor, she didn't give him anything but said it could be any number of things, including Vertigo.  Well, yesterday after work, he had a really bad spell of Vertigo. We ended up at the ER.  The hospital was great!  Bless his heart, he was miserable.  They gave him an IV with fluids, meds, took blood, did a CT scan, etc.  He ended up having a reaction to one med, he ended up with Restless Leg Syndrome. He says to me, I could RUN to Los Angeles and back and I don't even like to WALK! I felt terrible for him!

The weather has been doing a number on my head for the last week to 10 days or so. It has become very humid even though we are experiencing a drought right now.  My sinuses have been hurting so bad and my allergies acting up like crazy.

School starts for the boys 2 weeks from today! I can't believe it!  We are on a new balanced calendar.  I am excited. I think they will grow to love it.

I have had a good friend of mine also struggling and going through a lot withe her family.  Times are tough, for a lot of people right now.  The only thing I can do is lean on my Father, my heavenly Father. He is always there, will never let me down. He even carries me at times through the roughest times.  I have tried to reach out to others in need and put their needs first, then, it comes back to me.  I may not always see the reward of helping others, but I know others do.

I have been reading some other blogs, they are opposite thinking of mine, but they are good to read. I learn from them and I also realize I am so thankful for what I have and for what I believe in. I may not agree with what other people do with their lives or the decisions they make for themselves and their families, but it is not my place to judge.  They may not believe in God like I do or any God for that matter.  All I can do is just pray for them.

Well, I guess that is it for today.  My heart has been heavy lately. But, as I told someone recently, I can not worry about the things that are out of my control.  I can not give in to that.  All I can do is try my best and do my part.

Love ya!

Thankful...

I have had so much to ponder over lately. I have so much to be thankful for!  I honestly think we take things for granted way too much.  I am so thankful that I have reevaluated myself and my attitude.  I am so thankful that I have allowed God to be in control of my life.  I have been on such a roller coaster ride because I wanted to be independent and do things the way I saw fit.  Well, that didn't go so well. I got into relationships that were toxic and I made terrible mistakes. I have started over, so to speak.  I am back in church, God is moving in wonderful ways.  I take a breath before I respond to something or get angry.  I realize that I am only 1 person and I can't do it all.

I have so much to be thankful for, I have a healthy family, we have a roof over our head, food in our kitchen and we can pay the majority of our bills.  God is great and He is taking hold of my family!

We never know, and we take so much for granted!

We never know what could happen in a split second. This last week or so has been a heavy week for me.  The apartment complex across from ours had a terrible fire a week ago today.  12 units are destroyed.  40 people are without everything.  There were 24 fire engines there, it was 98 degrees outside that day.  It happened on a Saturday around 2 in the afternoon.  I was out running errands, the kids were playing with friends and visiting family. Mike was home relaxing.  I am driving home and our road is blocked by fire hoses going across our road...this was very strange to me because there are tons of fire hydrants for both our complex and the one across the street.  I took the back roads home, got in, grabbed Mike and we walked over there.  I was floored! I couldn't believe what I saw. I have never seen so many fire trucks in one place.

I was literally sick to my stomach.  We saw families trying to salvage whatever they could, we saw children with toys tinged with black suet.  It was so heartbreaking.  I told Mike, I need to do something.  I really want to help these people.  I just can't imagine. So, I spoke with the fire chief, he directed me to the complex office.  A lot of the families were there waiting to see what to do next.  Looking around, my heart just broke. I told the office manager, I live across the street, I want to do whatever I can to help. I gave her my contact info.  I went back later once the Red Cross had arrived.  I waited and let her know again, I have lots of people I network with and I want to help.  So, finally, this week, I have gotten a few calls from some of the residents.

Each person just sounds so thankful and grateful. I had one woman tell me today, "You are just Awesome" I told her,well, I am not trying to be, I just want to help.  I can't imagine what they are going through, feeling, nothing.  I told her that and I told her I am praying for her.  It has been very difficult for me. I truly feel God is calling me to help these people.  I have sat and listened to their story, what they need, their tears, everything.  They really need someone to just listen to them.  

I started soliciting donations last Sunday/Monday time frame. Right before the 4th of July. I was floored by how people just stepped up and said, I have this and this...God is truly in this!  The 2 families I have been working with both have found new places to live.  I have heard of several others by just networking that things are coming together for them as well.

We never know when we can just loose everything.  It can happen in a split second.  I also realized something this week. It was my 36th birthday on the 4th.  I realized how I took for granted just 2 years prior having my grandpa there with me for my birthday.  I just always expected him to be there.

Hug your loved ones!

So, this week I started week 2 of a new job. I am working part time at a local scrap yard. It is actually right in my element. I really enjoy it a lot. It is temp to hire, so I am hoping it goes perm. The boys have been fortunate enough to be able to stay home while I am at work. We have a nice neighbor who is keeping tabs on them while I work. I usually only work 9-3 about 3 days a week so far.

The summer has started out well for the boys. I admit, I am sad they dropped out of cub scouts, their fellow scouts are at camp this week and they would have LOVED it!  Oh well, must face the consequences of our decisions.  I can't believe I have a 3rd and 5th grader already!  Time sure does fly!  We are doing the summer reading program so they stay on top of their reading skills.  They have played outside  A LOT!  Which, I love! It hasn't been terribly hot, but we haven't gotten enough rain either.

Our garden is just delightful this year! We have so many things and they are actually growing! I am so super excited! We have sugar snap peas, blueberries, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, romaine lettuce and cauliflower!  Everything seems to be handling the weather great!  They are all in pots or buckets! :)

The dogs are doing great, we recently adopted Max. He is a full blooded Beagle...he is adorable.  He has his moments though.  He can be Mr. Grumpy!  Sammy loves him!  They are only a few months apart in age and get along really well.

Mike is still plugging away as a Machinist. He works very hard for our family. We would be lost without him!

My Tastefully Simple business is really booming! I love selling this stuff! It is so yummy!

Well, I better go back to bed, I had a five hour nap earlier, wasn't feeling well. I have to work tomorrow and I have a party with Tastefully Simple!

Have a great one!

Amy

www.tastefullysimple.com/web/adillard

Hey! I am back! I have been AWOL for a while. I need to get back into putting my thoughts down.  I am going to try to blog once a week to for some mental therapy. I think it will greatly help!

Both boys just finished the school year, I now have a 3rd and 5th grader!!! I can't believe it! Where has the time gone!!??!!  They are both just amazing boys!  Mateo is just about done reading the Hunger Games Trilogy.  He has loved it so far!  Simon is dying to read it...I just don't know yet!  They are both growing like weeds and getting so tall!  And of course, they are handsome as ever!

Mike and I will be celebrating 3 years of marriage this June! I can't believe it! He is my rock and my soul mate!  God has truly blessed the boys and I with such a wonderful man in our lives!

Both of my parents have officially retired!  I am so happy for them!  They are going to take a little vaca out west to see some family and relive some honeymoon memories.  They are so adorably in love!

Well, I will come back and write more soon!

SweetReds Blog...a new outlook and a new approach

So, I haven't blogged in quite some time.  I am finding myself looking for someplace to vent, talk about my day and my experiences.  So, I am going to do my best to blog as often as possible.  I hope you enjoy reading as much I as I enjoy posting.  Thanks for stopping by!

So, the last month or so has brought on quite a bit of transition in for not only the Dillard household, but our extended family as well!  So, my sis and my 2 nieces are in Guatemala on a mission trip until mid July, they left in late May.  They have survived a Tropical Storm and a volcano erupting!  This is the first summer the boys and I have been home together.  I have been home since January, unemployed.  So, this summer has been exciting to say the least!  We are all adjusting as well as to be expected.  Grandpa has decided to move into an apartment, a Senior community.

So, the changes that have occurred...
First, I miss my family that is in Guatemala terribly!  I know God is using them down there and also nurturing them in many ways.  Next, the boys and I have been learning more and more about each other this spring and summer so far.  Simon has accomplished riding a bike without training wheels!  They have made lots of friends in our neighborhood and are having a great time!  They are learning which buttons to push and which ones not to push as well! 

Grandpa is 88 years old now.  He isn't as stable as he used to be and he is alone.  He has been alone almost 4 years now since Grandma first went into the nursing home.  He does well, but realizes that he needs a smaller place with much less responsibility.  He is excited about his new apartment!  He will have a 2nd story place with a balcony, he is happy with that...he told me he could walk around without clothes and no one would see him!  He is so silly!  Mom and I have started packing and designating things that will be thrown out.  It is like stepping back into time in his house.  He has lived there for 60 years, so lots of memories and lots of stuff!  He and Grandma kept EVERYTHING!  Its been fun finding things.  I got a hold of a lot of his stuff from when he was a fireman.  He was a volunteer fireman for years, he made it all the way to chief!  I am so proud of him!  I love all the time I have been blessed to spend with him this summer, I have kinda taken over my sister's role on Mondays of shopping, lunch, cleaning the house and then dinner as a family.  When she returns, we def need to find a day to spend with him.  It has been a true blessing!  We are hoping to have Grandpa moved the weekend of July 4th.  I think he will be a lot happier there. 

So, this past winter, I decided I wanted to step out and try my own business.  Mike has been so supportive!  I signed up the end of January, had my blast off party the end of February, became an official consultant by March.  I am a consultant for Tastefully Simple.  By May, I was #1 in sales in my local team and in the top 15 in my regional team in sales!  It is so fun and easy!  I absolutely love doing it!  We get to laugh, eat, talk, and have a great time!  Next month, we get to go to Minnesota for National Conference at the Headquarters for Tastefully Simple!  I am so excited!!!

Well, I think I have updated whats been going on in the last few months.  Now on to the purpose of today's blog.  In the last year, my hubs and I have really tried refocusing our outlook on everything.  He has been working a very difficult and dirty job for a little over a year now.  I have tried to be encouraging to him everyday and to tell him just how much he is appreciated by me and the boys.  He has grown to be such a wonderful father to our boys.  He isn't just a father, but he is daddy.  Mike has grown so much in the last year.  He has really put a leap of faith and really grown and learned how to put his faith and trust in God.  God has really shown him, Mike, who He is.  Mike has trudged through this job that he absolutely can't stand and detests everyday, but he did it for us as a family.  It has paid off, he will start a new job next week.  This job is such a blessing!  Its higher pay, cheaper and better benefits and so much more!  God has continued to show Mike that He is there for Mike and us as a family.

Our new approach on life.  We have worked really hard to put God as the center of our marriage and our life.  It hasn't been easy and we still have a long way to go!  We are attempting to show our boys God's love and so much more.  We are working on a more positive household. 

Well, I guess I have posted enough for today!  More tomorrow! Only 5 more days until our 1 year wedding anniversary!  My parents are celebrating their 35 year anniversary today!