A different kind of New Years Eve

This is the first New Years eve in a lot of years that we haven't been surronded by lots of people, or teens or both. It's an odd feeling, we almost went to Roseville to see Pastor Joey preach and be around a bunch of teenagers, but we are both just tired. It seems that we have had no time to unpack properly, and get our house together, I mean I know it may look like that if you came in, but you haven't seen the garage. So we did a bit of that tonight, made an amazing ham, and had family time. It's been really nice actually, the wii has been so good for us too, Selah has been running all day long on it, Aslan has been working on his co-ordination with this step game, I worked out til it "made " me take a break ( yes it makes you take a break after 45 minutes, also I am still unlocking new yoga positions etc., and daddy well he's been sick so he just gets to watch and cheer us on! So here's to a different kind of New Year, and although I love being around lots of teens and young adults, this year it's exactly what the doctor ordered! So Happy New's years Eve to all!

Wii Fit rocks!

So I think I said yesterday that my mom let me borrow her Wii fit. I stinkin love it. I never knew I was so good at yoga, in two days I'm a master on some of the exercises ( a master according to their rating) which might I add is not easy , just ask anyone who has played it, it would rather insult you then give you props, but I actually got applause today. I always knew I was flexible but my core is stronger than most people of my ...um weight ....hehe. So anyway I worked out for half hour last night and over an hour tonight but the best part is the kids love it too! It's the best of both worlds, exercise and a video game all in one. Selah was kickin booty on it tonight I was so proud of her. She really enjoys the balance games and the running, who knows maybe she will do track someday. But here is an infamous quote to got down in the record books of bloggerdom. When she had been exercising with us for over an hour and finished a long distance run, finally I told her she had to take a shower, and get ready for bed. Her response was in all of Selah dramatics and flare, " I better do that because under my arms is filled with sweat"
and if you know Selah just picture her doing that! LOL too funny it was! But seriously Wii fit is amazing, did I mention that?

Thank God for Lisa!!

So life is good, like I said yesterday, I'm happy here, love it love it! The job will be great, it's a tad stressful right now. I consider myself a quick learner and an intelligent person, but how do you cram six years of info into one week. Luckily Lisa is the best trainer in the world, but I am so super hard on myself. I need to stop that, I like to be told once and get it right the second time, I hate making mistakes! Don't get me wrong I didn't even make any big mistakes , just little things that I caught and fixed, so what's my problem....hmmm I know it's cause I'm a control freak I want to know all there is to know right away...haha not gonna happen here folks...thanks for coming but it ain't happening. So thank God (literally ) for Lisa she is the bestest!
In other news, I did the Wii fit today( i borrowed it from my mom to see if I liked it) I worked out for 30 minutes and it rocked! It was fun, and has a combination of activities to keep it interesting. I highly recommend it, that and Sparkpeople.com, it's really very amazing and I love it! My dad has lost a ton of weight using the program and a friend has lost some too, and best of all it's all free! I tried running a few months ago, then it made my body worse due to the condition I have, so the doctor told me no running aloud, so it was discouraging then I moved and now I don't walk around all day I sit on my rump in an office, so I need everyones help to keep it up, I really want to , I really really do! Anyway nuff about that, you should check it out!

Here's to a new year coming.

We went to church this morning in our new church and the kids absolutley loved kids church.(there was none last week due to Christmas) So yeah it was good. The normal worship leader was not there so it was a bit different but the pastor did a great job. He talked about change, and a lot about Joey and Jen coming and all they have to offer. It was very well done and a great service. I'm excited about things to come, I'm truly happy here. I feel at peace, I love our home and I see a bright future ahead.
In other news, a little girl approached us when we were getting out of the car yesterday after going to the store and she asked if she could play with Selah. I guess her friends lived here before us and when she visits her grama down the street she would come here and play. So she ended up playing with Selah, she is a nice girl who 10 and Selah has played with her yesterday and now today. It's weird though because I know you can trust us, but how does her grama know we are not crazy's, maybe I'm way to overprotective but my kids don't leave my site unless I really know the people. But God is good he has given Selah a friend, she has been a bit difficult lately with her attitude. She has had the hardest time with the move so we are trying to cut her a little slack but it seems like she just keeps tugging that rope. Today we were eating lunch, and my mom and dad are still visiting and Selah said something about the restaurant, so I turned and talked to her about what she said, that maybe she could phrase it differently, and she says, " Mom, do you always have to talk to me about everything I do, " I looked at her and before I could open my mouth she said, " Yup here it comes again" My dad who was sitting at the table had to get up so he wouldn't burst out laughing right then and there. It really was funny but of course I had to "talk to her " about saying that. lol. Oh to be young again.

"We are the Hartmans, we live next door and I got Lego Batman for Christmas!"

No lie, word for word and then , Aslan added, " I was born in 99" Rewind a bit .... So today we are finally back home in our house in Stockton , in our sweet quiet little neighborhood, and I'm in the kitchen and I see a kid ride by on a bike,
"Kid " I say, " there's a kid" ( let me preface this by saying , in our old house the kids had two neighbor boys they were very close too and have been a bit lonely since the move. ( Although Selah hasn't stopped talking about when little Joei was here, and already planning their next play time)
Aslan was like "really?", and got excited then went back to lego batman. Having played a little too much lego batman for any human being in a 24 hour period
I said, " Aslan go outside and see if you can meet him"
"Ahh come on mom"
"Get a sweatshirt on, you need to go get fresh air anyway,"
So then I told Selah who got all excited and they went outside. So no sign of kid on bike, but I guess someone was down the street a bit on the scooter and since they can't leave the front yard they won't meet him today.
Soooooo, Then Selah comes in about 10 minutes later and says, " There's a sweet girl next door"
"Really?" I say , " Did you meet her?"
"No , she just offered me candy and I said "No thank you."
"You didn't introduce yourself? "
" No I'm shy.." Selah shy ?, yeah right, but I guess with some people she doesn't know she can be a bit shy. So she goes and gets Aslan, and says, " You can do it Aslan your my big brother , You'll know what to say" So Aslan puffs up his chest and looks all proud and says ok come on. And off they went to the front yard. I went back to what I was doing and about 5 minutes later they come back inside.
"How did it go?" the nosy mom asked
"It went great!" Aslan said
"So you met the girl?"
"Yeah she was standing behind the guy, "
"What ....." I say " Come again"
"Well when we knocked on the door ...."
"YOU DID WHAT?....."
" We knocked on the door she had gone inside..."
I went through both shock worry and oh my... all in one moment , but seeing them standing there in one safe piece I listened on..
"Yeah mom, we met her dad he was nice and she was being shy , hiding behind him, and I said We are the Hartmans we live next door, I got lego batman for Christmas and I was born in 99"
Now my mom and dad are visiting seeing our new house so they can attest to the fact that we were all cracking up , at this statement, it was so matter of fact and so funny! My dad even said "ok, whose blogging that one?"
Too funny, now I went over it with the kids that we do not leave the yard , we don't go to people's houses, mommy is extremley protective about these things. But that was too funny I don't care who you are! lol

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and have a blessed new year!

Shake of the dust folks... Im back!

Feels like it has been forever since I posted. We have had no internet, it's funny how you don't realize how often you use it until you lose it.( I know I'm a poet and didn't know it hehe). I know you missed all my corny lame jokes, but no more fretting I'm back.
Well mucho has changed since I last blogged, we both started our new jobs, Bill got the perfect Monday thru Friday job, it doesn't pay a bundle but the family time is well worth it. I love my new job, there is just so much information! Part of me feels like I will never know it all! I am the type of person who likes to know everything about everything right away but at this job that is not even possible, not even a little bit possible. So anyway it's awesome though, with all sorts of great benefits!
Well I will get more into things later but for now I must go! I hope everyone is having a very Merry (couple days before) Christmas!

It's a waiting game...

So a few more days of work, before we move! It's weird though I don't think it's hit any of the people I work with, we still talk about " in the future or stuff. Too funny! I think it's because I still put my whole heart into work. I am up making sure every customer gets great service, and that all employees are doing what they should. I guarentee you I will be doing that until Wednesday , my last day!
So It's all a waiting game right now, we are in limbo, I hurt my back so work has been tough but I will still miss parts of it, but not a lot lol. Can't wait to start my new job, my new city, I know I keep saying that but man, it's time isn't it? I know one thing for sure, next Sunday we will be in our new church coming from our new home.

The other night when we were in our new home eating dinner with the kids, We were talking about how much God has blessed us, with our home etc. Selah said , yes of course, because you guys have been youth pastors and you always let people live with us. To which Aslan added , "and it's cause you love people"
Wow...through the mouth of babes.

Hey and do me a favor, when you have to wait in a long line at a store, or it's busy or it's not ringing up right, try to make the cashier smile and let them know, you know it's not their fault and wish them a Merry Christmas...I have been up line monitoring for days and it still amazes me how some people act. But also they have a hard time grumbling to my cheerful smile and positive disposition!!

Say a prayer...

Not too much to say, hmmm work was good went by fast, it's very late! I can't wait to be in my home, in my new city. But I would like to dedicate this blog to a few prayer requests!

Lily-that everything in her little body would be just perfect!
My friend from work's mom who is battling cancer-she is a fighter though!
Aslan and Selah-that God would give them the perfect teachers and friends at their new school!

why worry!

So last night if you noticed I did in fact, sound a bit stressed and worried, it's hard when you think your husband is unemployed and you have Christmas coming and rent due , and utilities etc. But it all worked out today, from the beginning we told his work that he wanted to stay on , on an on call basis, but instead his boss took him off the books, which made him get paid for vacation, which is sweet, and now he has turned around and re-enstated him, he only did it so Bill could get the vacation pay. That was great!! And now he's got a guard card and some hours so we are not sunk lol! I have no doubt he is going to be on with a new company soon, and it will all be awesome. It's a whole new world for us with rent and utilities, so please bear with if I am not always worry free. But I can honestly tell you God has guided us every step of the way on this move, and he has been more than faithful to us. I feel so undeserving of all the great doors that have opened, all the needs that have been met for us.
Also you never realize the impact you have had on people until you are leaving, it's very touching to see the reactions of people, telling me how much I will be missed or how I've touched their lives. I will miss them as well, it's always nice to know you are making a difference, and now I get to do that on a whole new level.

P.S.
My assistant store manager told me I would forever be known as "WG" world's greatest 1-2, 1-2 is my title, she said I was the best she has had and will probably ever have..ahh And my store manager told me that the form I made to evaluate, the cashiers he is going to send to the district because he thinks it's that good. Wow those things would look good in my file , (considering I'm leaving the company, that won't matter lol) but it feels good none the less.

Only a minute

So I only have a minute to catch up , We had an absolutley fabulous time in our new home for the two days we got to be there, Selah actually said of Monday night by the fire with hot cocoa and prince Caspian and after decorating our tree, was "the best night of her life" It really was great, our new home is beautiful, and the kids keep saying that over and over , that they love it etc. We had a little water incident Tuesday night but came away unscathed and it's fixed now, which it was just a faulty part on the washer connection. So we are very blessed, please pray for us though, we still need Bill's perfect job, he has applied everywhere, for security up there he needs a guard card, which I guess we are going to go ahead and pay the money for, so he has it, so that will probably work out, but it's hard for me to not micro-manage and stress about it. I'm really trying, I mean I know that God has worked every other detail out, so I know he will work this one out!
Also we met a neighbor he is a pastor and a cool guy. Our neighborhood is very quiet . I love it!

Schedule

So it's been crazy times, but we are moved in, well sorta, our stuff is there, we are not, so I guess "moved in" is not the correct term. But the kids and Bill are going to our new home tommorrow afternoon and I 'm going there after work at like , late past late. But we will be there Monday Tuesday and part of Wednesday, then not sure , we are coming and going until the 17th. After the 17th we will be there for good , (except Bill commuting, until we find him the perfect job.) He is going to pound the pavement while we are up there the next few days, so please kick the prayers into overdrive, I really don't want him commuting with all this fog, and the crazy hours, we need a miracle, but everything else has been a miracle so I expect one.
In other news , Cindy said she got us a great tree, that was so sweet of her and I can't wait to decorate my new house, I'm like a kid when it comes to Christmas.
So more updates later, and right now I'm realizing I'm so not going to miss retail!

Soon and very soon.....

I'm so exhausted, packing all day then working 9 hours til 1am, and tomorrow same story. Tomorrow we will be packing up the uhaul , then Bill will be driving it down on Saturday with some boys to help him unpack, while I work 11-7:30 (I'm hoping they will let me off early, that would be rad) Then it's down to the house for Saturday night and Sunday until 2pm when I have to go work until 1am again, come back and stay on Monday and Tuesday in Stockton. Crazy yeah? I know it is , I'm just so excited about getting there and getting settled, i really want to decorate for Christmas , and build a fire, and drink coffee and chill, I 'm so so so so excited, the only thing not do-able in that is the 'chill' part, I won't be doing that for quite a while. I am so not the type that will have boxes still packed after a month, they will be gone and done as quickly as possible. I'm also doubly blessed cause Cindy M. text me today and asked if we needed a Christmas tree, and I asked " Yeah , Do you have one, lol?" and she said, " I could get you one, and I said that would be amazing!" What a kind beautiful person she is , how considerate is that? So once again I 'm so blessed to have all these beautiful people around me.
Also could you all pray for a little angel named Lily, she has been having some sickness going on and we want complete healing. She's already proven to be a miracle and a fighter so we are not worried but all the pray we can get is great!!!

The new house!!

So we got up this morning and drove down to Stockton to drop off some pictures and mirrors, so they wouldn't get broken in the move, and also so I could see the house. So as soon as I exited off the freeway I was impressed. The area is Weston Ranch and it's only been there for like 10 years, so on each side of the road that goes through is the walls to protect the neighboorhoods, with grass and a walking/bike path and benchs along the way. I kept expecting to see a rough area in the middle or something, ( because if you know Stockton you know that , a lot of areas go from really nice to rough in .2 houses ) Anyway so we turn down our street and all the houses look good then we pull up to ours. There are rose bushes in the front and a nice path , tile entryway and a cute outside light, it also has a window next to the door and on the top,it looks cute!! So I go inside and I was so thrilled , it looked better than the pictures. You will all just have to see it to understand. It's perfect for us. My closet is huge, and I have a nice round bathtub!! The two things I really wanted, oh yeah and a fire place! The only things I noticed that weren't perfect is that you can tell a man cleaned it, cause it needs some tlc, and I won't have a lot of time for that right now , but I will have to make due, and the other is inside the cabinets in the kitchen need some tlc, the kitchen is my favorite part of the house so it's funny that inside them needs some work, but we can handle that, it's a great amazing house, I love love love it!!! I just need some area rugs very badly since there is no carpet, so if anyone has a few lying around let me know, LOL!

Breaking up is hard to do..

So I gave my two weeks notice today, it was tough cause I don't want to let people down, I'm so weird like that, I even considered telling him I would come back for some key days like Dec 26 and 31st and 1st but I didn't, I guess I just realized they will manage , and I can enjoy my Christmas and New Years. So my store manager was not there or my supervisor so I had to break up in email (lol) So I hope he understands......but...... having said all that I will say that I am so so excited about my new job!!!! Not only the hours and family time but the job itself, I was already dreaming last night and talking to my sister about getting Radical Reality to her neck of the woods! hehe I am stoked! God is so very good.
Now it is very late ( I didn't get off until 12:30am) So I should probably go to bed, I get to see my new house tomorrow I'm super de duper excited, I will report back soon.

Wow squared

So just another thing falling into place... I just got off the phone with Donnie and Cindy Moore and they offered me the job at Radical Reality!!!! Wowie wow wow, I'm so excited, It will mean way more family time, more ministry potential on a grander scale, and a chance to support a ministry that has been a huge part of the person I am today. I was actually called to ministry at a youth convention in Sacramento California where Donnie Moore was speaking, the following summer God changed my life at the Donnie Moore camp and haven't missed many since that year when I was 17... wow what an honor to work under this man and woman of God, and of course the rest of the amazing team (which includes one of my favorite preachers Joey Steelman). So I stand once again in awe of the awesomeness of God , that he would reach down to work out these details for us, every little detail...wow.
In other news....one of our teenagers posted a bulletin on myspace titled, " To Pb and Charity"
I only post it here so I will have it forever as a memory, since someday I will print these blogs out and scrapbook them or something... but I'm honored to be a part of this amazing young lady's life, she is truly one of the best girls I've had the privelage to know and I love her dearly.... this is what she wrote

"thank you for everything that you guys have done. i can't even express how much i will miss you guys because of your being here in the little town of biggs i've grown so much as a christian. i know u guys will be doing great things in Stockton and God will continue to use your family for greatness. to pb: thanks for always being crazy/fun/energetic. you really opened my eyes and you've shown me a new way to look at Christianity. you are always looking for improvement and God will bless you for that. to Charity: ok you already held me in a hug yesterday when i was bawling:) you have always been there for me. like a 2nd mother. you have not only encouraged me in my walk with God but also in my art. and you better keep up your artwork too. you both are very talented and i can't wait to see what God's gonna do in Stockton and even here in Biggs and Gridley. ok i better stop. im crying. ok but the point is that i love you both and i want you to know that you will be missed. And i want you to get excited about the future cuz God has great things in store.:)"

Now you see why this is so hard...