Outside or bust

And its gorgeous out ladies and gentlemen. This little family of three has been enjoying every single second of it too. Walking everyday, playing in the yard, going to the park, gardening, bonfires, splashing in water, blowing bubbles, picnics, hiking you name it we have done it. My body is on vitamin D overload and I'm not complaining!

This is the very short lived golden season that shall be referred to as : BEFORE THE BLOOD SUCKING BUGS TAKE OVER THE LAND.  In the the lovely state of Minnesota we never cease to get a break from anything. May it be frigid winter, copious amounts of snow, road construction season, humidity that makes straight hair curl, or being literally eaten alive by mosquitoes. So when spring has finally sprung its marvelous beauty and the blood suckers have not hatched, run to the outdoors, RUN!

For memorial weekend we went to the Minneapolis farmers market (which was insanely busy), planted a garden, went to a BBQ and took a day trip to Taylor's Falls. Typically this weekend is always rainy and cold so everyone and their mother had to take advantage of the 80 degree temps. My skin got fried and I liked it, I liked it a lot.

As part of my mother's day gift the hubs got us tickets for a river boat tour in Taylor's Falls. Noah was a complete nut. Upstairs to the top deck, downstairs, inside, outside, say hi to the captain, try to help steer the boat, eat a snack, flirt with people, try throwing sippy cup into the river, try to jump into the river, chase the big kids, watch paddles spin round and round, eat another snack aaaaaaad repeat. And repeat again. Busy toddler doesn't begin to describe it!

The hubs and I needed a seriously cold beer after chasing around that silly pirate!

Hope everyone else has enjoyed their nice weather as well!

-Over and Out

Yay for good news!

I am absolutely elated to announce that my hubby is back at work! Next month would have made it 1 year that we have been dealing with this struggle in the Conner household. And man what a year it has been! Oodles of difficult times, dead end job opportunities, crying, stress, emotionally and physically draining and at times down right depressing year.

Throughout the challenge of these 330 some odd days have brought us, one thing is sure. GOD IS GOOD. So completely, entirely good. A lesson I have learned before but never can forget. He will not let you go through more then what you can possibly handle. It is this truth that kept me going, kept me plugging along after each and every hit we kept getting slammed with. Towards the end of all of this I was at my breaking point. Literally felt like I was losing my mind. Working overtime while short staffed at work, not seeing enough of my small pirate boy, depressed husband at home wanting nothing more than to provide for his family. Drained doesn't even begin to describe it.

So we prayed. We pray regularly together but this was a different kind of prayer. This prayer was of total and complete helplessness, letting everything go and proclaiming "Alright God THIS, is it. We trust and love you and are looking for your directions but this is all we can take. We can't handle any more we are going insane!" For some time now all we prayed about was for the right job to come along. Money doesn't matter (yes you need to pay the bills) but if your unhappy and stressed then whats the point? We prayed that if we need to move out of state or take a pay cut we would do that. As long as He guided us into the right direction and the right fit for my husband, we would go.

It was only 1 week after we had that prayer session with God that Matt got offered a great position. Days, no pay cut, 8 miles and 2 stop lights away. Just when we were about at our wits end, God provided for us in a big way. Its such a challenge to be so vulnerable and put your trust in God and then wait. Wait and wait and wait for what seems like all of eternity. But then again things never seem to happen in the timing we think it should now does it?

For now I am just enjoying getting back to a normal routine. And starting off every day with a joyful and thankful heart! Clearly this will not be the last hardship we endure but I sure am enjoying the break. Difficult experiences can strengthen your relationships. Install a grateful heart. And grow your skin just a tiny bit thicker. A lifetime without hardships and trials would be rather dull I would assume. So cheers to well rounded life experiences!

-Over and Out