its raining..........

when it rains......
well, let's just see what ELSE can happen. I'm only having to deal with some major issues at the moment and each one are a pretty big deal, manageable by themselves but what about when they are all piling up together??

First of all, Ramon's grandfather, a great man who raised Ramon as a child. Ramon's mom died when he was 6 but before that and then permanently after that, Grandpa was there for him. He was 55-60 years old and had a small child to deal with and Ramon remembers him never complaining about going out to play catch or to play golf or anything. A great man. He also took Ramon to church and established a Godly foundation for Ramon, that is priceless. So Grandpa has gone to be with the Lord just yesterday. Ramon was on his way there and about an hour from the destination, he got the call that Grandpa was alive no more. Pretty crushing after driving for 10 hours. But we know where he is. He is there now and can be with his family there. I am planning to fly up there for the funeral on Monday and then drive back with them Tuesday. That seems simple enough, right? Well, I can't afford to fly my other 4 kids (Daniel the oldest is already with Ramon) so what do I do with them? I find 4 different homes for them to go to! It takes a few (try many) phone calls but right now I have homes for all but 1 for the the 2 nights I will be gone. Now it will be packing time for all of them, laundry and everything else to get ready for the kids to go spend the night for 2 nights. Not to mention, packing for myself and my husband is out of town!!

Now that isn't too bad, right? But wait, there's more....... we will be moving this month. It's pretty sudden, but there is a buyer for the house and we can sell it fast and not get as much out of it or keep trying for a long shot. I think we have decided to go for the quick sale. So now, I'll be packing up the house to be out by Aug 22-23, anybody want to watch 5 kids for 2 weeks so I can get done??? Pretty please. Along with this is finding a house to rent. I think we have found a really good one, but we need to pray in the money right now for first month's rent and deposit, it's a pretty penny.

But wait there's more.......The kids will be starting school on August 26, at a whole new school. I have to figure out which one and call each of them to get transcripts transferred and make sure there is room in each grade so we don't do 2 different elementary schools. Check the bus schedules for the new house, just in case we want to use the bus system. The kids did not like the bus too well last year.

But wait there's more.....the Jeep stalled on me today stranding me in the middle of an intersection then thankfully on the side of the road for 30 minutes. I was thinking cha-ching tons of money to fix that so I may not be able to fly out now, and then horay! it started up! My dad was out of town, my husband too of course so I called my brother who was so helpful! They will look at it in the morning to see what's up.

But wait....then I get stung by a bee! Who gets stung by a bee anymore? me, in the middle of craziness!

Let's see how much more stuff we can pile on top of Andi??

so now for my eternal optimism............... things to be truly thankful for..........

1. Great pastors who help with decisions that need to be made during less than ideal circumstances.

2. The Lyons family, who was there to lend Shannon to watch the kids so that I can rest, and follow me in the Jeep to make sure I was safe, and then taking one of the kiddos while I am away and oh yeah for being such a great example to us in every way.

3. For Mandy who is sleeping over at my house so I can work my overnight job while Ramon is away. Who else would do that kind of thing? I am going to owe her big time! She's the best.

4. For Mesa and Laura who are taking care of 1 kid each while I am away, what godly women! It makes me feel so wonderful to leave my kids with quality people.

5. For my new neice, I knew you were a girl all along! I'm sorry for missing your shower but I promise to shower you with Aunt Andi's love for your whole life!

6. For Ben for being the voice of reason in the absence of the top men in my life, you are the best little brother!

7. for having baking soda on hand to make a paste for those pesky bees!

So you see, I have so much more to be thankful for than I have to be sad about. And when these things are resolved or settled, then I will have even MORE to be thankful for! God is still on the throne and nothing that is happening is a big shock to Him. I guess He knows I can handle it. That's another thing to be thankful for that He is trusting me with these crisis situations all at once and since it is happening, He knows I'll get trough it, He knows I'll succeed in spite of it.

If you've read all the way to here, wow! you are good because this is long! Now you HAVE to comment! I'll keep you updated as to what is going on and at least by next month, things should be fairly EASY.