Our fire!!!

We lost our garage (barn) and our barn last night to a fire. Darren posted the pictures last night and didn't write anything about it. We lost one of our dogs in the fire as well as our lawn mower and lots of other typical garage things. But we are all okay. Then this morning we woke suddenly to all of our house windows glowing orange and ran outside to find the barn across the rode completely engulfed in flames. The embers from our barn must have blown over and burned the neighbors barn to the ground within about 15 minutes. I'm so thankful it missed our house. Only by God's hand,are we all here today. It could have been so much worse. I feel the worst about the poor dog trapped inside. Darren's bedroom is upstairs and to the back of the house and the shade in his window is black and warped from the heat of our barn fires. When I opened our front door this morning I could feel the heat from the neighbors barn from my front porch. If the fire department would have gotten there just a few minutes later their house would have been engulfed and very likely gotten to our house. What a weekend. I've had enough stress for awhile.

On a lighter note, we've decided to stay here. Which is such a relief to me. I've been fighting and struggling with this decision for so long and on my way home from work last night after I'd gotten the news of the fire, It just hit me 'I don't want to go'. I just want to stay here. Thankfully, it seemed to occur to Ralph also. Nothing like God using a hammer over our heads to get us to look at things a different way. I feel pretty stupid letting everyone know this after all this time of thinking we were going to move. I have even given notice at work, so I'm not sure what will happen with that. But I need to get off my current shift anyways. So we will see.

Are these not the most hilarious pictures? I don't know how he can lay like that. Bob sure has added alot of life to our household. What a character!!!

We are moving!! Our house hasn't sold but hopefully will!

My last day at my job is in 2 weeks. Wow, this is scary.

A new adventure, (I'm trying, Sue) I do love the fact that I'll be about 3hours and 45 minutes from the coast!!! We're starting to pack. Fun, fun. I'm really excited about my job prospect, office hours and no holidays or weekends. This 12 hour night shift is killing me. The boys have a few weeks of school to get through and then we're off to North Carolina. You know, life is way too short to spend it fretting over minor details. In God's hands, nothing is a major one. With my BIL, Ron's recent heart "scare" it made me think, we need to live life to the fullest cuz we don't know what the future will hold. For some reason, God has put me in this place, at this time. I'm trying so hard just to rest in Him!!

I've been tagged!!!

Okay, I've never done this before but I've been tagged. I'll try!!
1.) What I was doing 10 years ago-I'm not sure, my boys were pretty little, so I was probably too busy to notice. HA! HA!
2.) 5 Things on my to-do list today- 1. Start packing for our move 2.) Help Darren with Convention stuff 3.) Sleep 4.) Sleep 5.) Sleep
3.) Snacks I enjoy: Popcorn and plain M&M's, White chocolate pretzels, jelly beans, the list could go on and on.
4.) Things I would do if I were a billionaire: Pay off all debt for us and all our family, build a beautiful home with cash on the ocean, buy Ralph his dream truck, finish the school at Bird Lake, help missionaries, send my boys to college and on and on.
5.) Three of my bad habits: I don't have any!!! No, really this list does go on and on. I worry too much, have no patience, procrastinate, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, etc.............
6.) 5 Places I've lived: West Virginia, Bolivia, North Carolina, Michigan and Ohio.
7.) 5 Jobs I've had: Waitress, prep-cook, Cook, medical assistant, registered nurse.
8.) 5 people I'd like to know more about ( a nice way to say tag): Phil Arnold, Jesse Heer, Stanley Shipman, Chris and Ron Bolyard.

Haven't wrote for a few days. We had an extremely busy last few nights in our er. I am soooo tired. Around five this morning we flew out an 18mo old little boy to a children's hospital in Toledo where he could get intensive care that our small hospital is not equipped for. It was scary. I don't think I'll ever get used to the little ones coming in so critical.
Ralph was offered the position that he really wanted in North Carolina. He's excited. I'm really nervous about it. Ralph won't have to leave until closer to the end of May now which means I won't have to stay home for a month without him, which made me feel a little better. I also have an interview with Forsyth County health department in a few weeks. I really would like to be on a more normal schedule and be able to have a life again. Darren is starting to back track and doesn't think he wants to move now. He was the one who was so excited in the beginning. With Ralph, it's all black and white. He needs a job and he's been offered THREE down there. He doesn't see any reason to stay here. I tend to resist change and things aren't so easy for me. I hate starting new jobs.
Did anyone feel the earthquake this morning? I didn't, but I was rather busy at that time. Lots of people I work with felt it. Kind of scary.
Wasn't today a beautiful day? I think it must have hit 80 degrees. I'm not sure. It is so nice to finally see green grass and flowers blooming. I'm not sure Ralph is real thrilled about it, he keeps stuffing up and feeling horrible. I'm sure it's allergies.

Tonight was BLBS' performance at the Sauk Theatre. They did excellent!! The place was full! Even though the weather took a turn for the worse, lots of people came out to support our kids!
I thought spring was here but it's cold again. We had to turn the furnace back on. Yuck!! North Carolina just keeps sounding better and better. Pastor Rick told us about a church and a Christian school close to the area we are planning to move to. I was very excited about that as I've been searching the area for a good school for the boys. Thankfully, this one isn't as expensive as most of the ones I have previously found. Just a little more than we pay now. God is really working things out, it seems like. Now, if we can just sell our house. I'm really trying to leave it all in His hands. I'm having trouble, though. I'm up and down and back and forth so much I'm feeling like I'm going to crack. One minute I want to go and the next minute I'm not so sure. I do know that Ralph needs a job and things here in Michigan are not looking so hot with area factories and businesses closing up. Boy does America need help. Gas was 3.44 a gallon tonight in Hillsdale. I don't know how people can keep going.
I think Bobber and Frank will like the weather better, especially Frank. His bones won't hurt so much with the warmer weather. Oh, We weighed Bob the other night and he weighs 62.5 pounds. What a horse!!!
Okay, gotta go. More later.

It's Sunday afternoon. What a beautiful day, it's around 60 or so today. Yay!! Finally, Spring has sprung. Darren's drama class is getting the opportunity to perform their drama at the Sauk Theatre in Jonesville. What a great opportunity to witness to people who may not ever set foot into a church. He's very excited. It also made front page news in Hillsdale county yesterday. Ralph and the boys came back from North Carolina on Friday. He had a very positive time there and had several job offers. He may be starting a new job the beginning of May. He had one place that wanted him to start tomorrow. Yikes, that's moving a little too fast. The realtor called and has decided to list our house. On Tuesday night I had a good prayer time with the Lord and felt like everything was going to work out. Then on Wednesday, we had the call from the realtor and Ralph had 2 job offers.. Wow!! I feel peaceful about it now, just excited. It's interesting how when we take our hands off and turn everything over to Him, that seems to be when He starts to move. There is still lots of details and things to take care of, so please continue to remember us in prayer.

I'm home alone for a few days. Ralph and the boys took off for North Carolina today. So, it's just me, Bob and Frank. I've needed some quiet time. I miss "my guys" though. We're still not sure what we're going to do about moving. Please keep remembering to whisper a prayer for us whenever you can.

I took this lovely picture of Bob last night. Man, I wish I had his life. Don't you think he has it made? Not a care in the world.

Well, I think I'll go read a book or watch a movie. I need to enjoy this quiet while it lasts.