Random Rambling

Today was the last day of school...finally!!! It feels like the last 3 weeks I've gone crazy with all the "end of year" activities!  Kazen graduated from preschool and Jaxon is now a 2nd grader! (Jaxon won 2nd place out of the five 1st grade classes in the school spelling bee.) Our summer will be a little crazy because of Dylan's work schedule and me doing tons of training and things to get the preschool ready:)...but we are excited! Dylan got the jobs he bid and started today! It actually will be 4 months of work because the company added to the scope of work.  This will be so awesome for us, but I am buckling in and holding on tight to the chaos that's coming.  Dylan will be out of town a lot and back to his old crazy hours (60ish) a week.  Again, it's an amazing opportunity and we are so grateful,  but we are also realistic about it:). 
I am super busy conducting interviews,  getting things lined up for liscencing, holding meeting for potential parents, making things for the classrooms,  creating policies for employees and families, attending trainings and so on. I am working a lot of hours and I'm looking forward to the few summer days I have nothing to do but swim with my boys;).  They are growing up so fast!
Off to work on my 50 page emergency plan...here are a few pictures:)

Where has the time gone?

Well...I know we've been crazy busy...but holy crap! I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted! Sorry to all my reader(s) (Gramma:) lol.  It's been an eventful year here in Tennessee!  Jaxon is almost out of 1st grade and Kazen's almost done with preschool.  My parents moved to North/South Carolina and they are now driving distance away!!!! Dylan's family closed the business November 1st and has basically 3 jobs right now.  I am going to be the director (& a teacher) at the new preschool our church is opening in the fall. SO much stuff!!!!!

Boys.....
Both boys are amazing and they literally astound me every day! They are SO brilliant and they LOVE Jesus more than anything (they love to tell me all the time that they love me second lol).  I'm truly one proud momma!!!! Jaxon can read anything you put in front of him and loves learning!  Kazen asks questions all the time and wants to be big and smart like Jax!  I literally get asked 3 times a week (minimum) if they are twins.  Both boys rock their glasses and adorable spiked hair. I'm still in shock Jaxon will be 7 and Kazen will be 5 in July.  Seriously...where does the time go?!?!

Dylan....
When Dylan and his family made the decision to close the business, it was a hard one.  We had no idea what we were going to do...a snow cone stand was looking pretty promising at this point.  Seriously thoufh, Dylan knew he wanted to go into some type of ministry but a asnt sure what/where/how.  Anyway, he needed something to get us by and applied and applied and you'd think with a business management degree he'd have all sorts of opportunities,  but this was totally not the case.  A friend from church offered him a job and he jumped at it.  It's a security company.  No...Dylan doesn't ride a bike or segway around busting people for loitering...He installs security systems in homes/businesses.   We are so grateful he has a job...but the pay is not enough to support our family.  At the first of the year, the associate pastor of our church called Dylan in his office and told him they were going to be hiring him as an assistant to the associate pastor.  Dylan does little projects and things part - time to help out.  He is loving the experience and mentoring he is receiving in the process as well.  So let me make sure you have this...Dylan is working full time for a security company & part time for the church.  Then about 8 weeks ago he started his graduate program where he is now working on his masters of divinity.   Sooooo like I said, he basically has 3 jobs right now.  He is physically and mentally exhausted,  but we can't afford for him not to do both paying jobs.   This is where I come in....cue the super hero music (dun da da da). Just kidding!!!!

Kari....
I have been working a little here and there since November getting this preschool stuff started.  Starting in August I will be working full time running and teaching at our preschool.  With me working full time, Dylan will no longer have to work for the security company and can focus on school and his assistant job.  I am super excited and overwhelmed all at once.  Starting from scratch is SO much work and SO expensive.   The licensing laws for TN are so crazy/strict and it's just all a bit much.  Right now we only have 11 kids enrolled and our goal was 26 (2 classes of 13).  Please keep enrollment in your prayers (thanks Gramma) because with the numbers so low, it doesn't work out financially. I know with any ministry we will always be waging a war...but that means we are doing  something right and the enemy doesn't want this preschool to succeed!!  Anyway,  I'm enjoying my boys and my last little bit of extra time before I jump back into full - time work.

Dylan (Ps)....
He put a bid in to do some work (what the family business used to do) for a local guy and we are waiting to hear if we won the jobs or not.  This would be 2 months of work where he'd make GREAT money and we'd be able to pay for all his schooling and be able to finish our house!!!!! His school doesn't allow student loans so right now it's going on our credit cards, which is horrible! So please keep this is your prayers too:)  Thank you!

This week is our annual fish fry...I'm sure I'll have some amazing stories and pictures from that adventure to share! I'll try to do better (Gramma) about KIT through my silly blog;).

Not About the Kids....

All about Kari & Dylan....
If you only check this to see pix of my adorable kidos-I'm sorry, this post is all about Dylan and I...and whats going on with us!



I had to add a pic so it wasn't too boring!!!

Kari-I have been staying super busy the last few months. Besides being a taxi for Jaxon to and from school I am working (just 4-10 hours a week) for Dylan. I handle payroll, imputing info for other checks (perdiem, travel, etc.), and any random stuff he needs like filing or running things to the bank or UPS.
-I also have tried to volunteer at Jaxons school...they seem to enjoy having a former kindergarten teacher around to help;).
-Kazen and I have a ball and I'm loving watching him grow up right in front of me!!! He's so stinkin smart and blows me away everyday with things he says and picks up on!
-I also (with the help of the pastor's wife) have started a moms group(we don't have a name yet-& I'm open to suggestions:). We've met twice at my house so far, & I've been praying a lot about what God has planned for this group of moms and kidos. I'd like to do a short devo each week and then just spend time in fellowship as well as some weeks going places as a group (park, ice cream, etc). I'm meeting with the pastor's wife on Monday to collaborate ideas and have asked her to partner with me to be my mentor and hold me accountable for these women. I'm excited, but we haven't had a lot of interest. Last week I had 3 ladies and this week only 1. I know God has a plan and there's a reason He has placed this on my heart, but I'm a little discouraged right now. I plan to stick with it, even if it's just me and one other mom...but hopefully more will come!
-Dylan and I are also in a small group at church. We meet Tuesday nights at the church building, where child-care is provided (which is awesome).
-We also are hosting a 20's & 30's fellowship at the mule barn this weekend for our church! I am super excited to get to know more people our age and build good friendships! I am a little over-whelmed too....you know me-I LOVE planning parties and events, but we have NO idea how many people to expect, so its making it difficult to plan! We've been told it could be as much as 100-150 people(if everyone in our church, in that age-group shows up).

We are really trying to get plugged in and not just take up space in a seat on Sunday morning ( as we've done for years now). I'm not saying this to toot my horn but to let you know what all is going on so you can pray for us in specific areas...we will take any/all prayers on our behalf.

Dylan-he is really praying and seeking God's direction right now. He applied many places for jobs...all with decent salaries & all that he was very (or over) qualified for. There is a position at a local bank that we really had our hopes set on. The owner of the bank goes to church with Dylan's uncle and had put in a good word. The owner asked him to send Dylan by with his resume, so he did! We thought this was a ringer, but 2 weeks later we haven't heard even a peep. We haven't heard back from even ONE application he filled out! Well, Dylan came to me over the weekend and said he'd had a change of heart-& felt NO answer might be THE answer for him. He said that he'd be willing to stay with SLG, but with MAJOR conditions. The conditions have nothing to do with salary, benefits, etc....but all to do with HOW the company is run. So, to answer your questions about everything....we don't know! We have no idea what God's plan is for our future. He doesn't want to commit or make any huge decision until he is SURE that it is what God wants for him/us. He is still actively looking for other options. I really just want to see him happy in whatever he does, and I'm not worried about the future. I know we will be provided for, one way or another...money has nothing to do with it and does not motivate us at all. I love and support Dylan in any choice he makes, cuz if he's listening to God, it can't be the wrong one!

Anyway, that's everything that's going on here! I hope all the transparency makes up for the fact I didn't post anything for a few months LOL-kidding!!!! Honestly though, I'm hoping you'll partner with us in praying and asking for wisdom, guidance, and direction for our future! I appreciate every single person that takes the time to read my ramblings! I didn't think anyone would care if I stopped posting & I truly felt beyond loved by the responses I got-in the absence of my silly writing! love you all (not y'all) so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Had to throw another pic in to make you laugh! ;)

Fun & Furniture!

Saturday, downtown Paris put on a "spooktactular" for the kidos! We got our boys dressed up and snapped some pix!


My mom got these awesome costumes in Cali at the Disney store (after LOTS of looking)....& Kazen has basically worn his for a month straight now! These boys are obsessed with super heroes...& especially the avengers!!!!! Jaxon was worried he wouldn't want to keep his mask on the entire time and people might not know who he was lol....so mommy and daddy fixed that....


A little mascara goes a long way!! Haha!








With the 3rd row full of super heroes...we headed downtown with friends!


We had a lot of fun trick-or-treating, playing games, getting the boys faces painted, etc (none of which I have pix of):

After that we headed to Murry, a town about 25-30minutes away (to hit up my favorite flea markets for furniture). We stopped at a really good coffee place (we have to go there when we are that direction) and I LOVED the lil sticker they put on my coffee (I guess to keep it from spilling)!


Our trip was a success....I found the perfect piece for my bedroom.



We had a great weekend and are looking forward to more trick-or-treating tomorrow!!!!!!

Respect & Rodeo

Last weekend Dylan and I attended a marriage conference at our church based on the book "Love and Respect". It was truly life-changing!!! If you haven't read the book-I HIGHLY recommend it!!!
After sitting still for HOURS at the conference we decided to go (& sit some more) at the rodeo. Our friends help at each rodeo (usually monthly) so they got us tickets! I had never been and wasn't quite sure what to expect....but it was fuuuuun! I sent Dylan to get waters for us all to drink....& he came back with something extra for the boys....














The boys had so much fun watching the cowboys...& then-Kazen got a chance to participate! (Jaxon was NOT interested)! Kazen did "muttin bustin"....kids riding sheep outta the shoot! He was fine until the shoot opened and that sheep started going wild....& so did he! Thank goodness Dylan was right there to snatch Kazen up off that sheep! He got a ribbon and was super proud!!!!








We had a blast...I'm sure we will be regulars at the local rodeo! Lol-a sentence I never thought I'd say!!!!!!

Catch-up!!!

Three months of catch-up...

The last three months have been crazy (to say the least)!!
We drove to Los Vegas and spent the week on Lake Mead on a houseboat with my parents! When we got to Vegas our besties (Michael & Jannae) from Cali came and we spent the best 24 hours together! We had a great time that week & both the boys overcame some fears...swimming in the middle of the lake & riding on the tube!






We made some fun stops on the road too!











Boys first limo ride! Free limo that picked us up from hotel and took us to a fun & crazy steak house!






Right when we got back from our trip, Jaxon started kindergarten! It was a bitter/sweet day!





He had a great first day & still loves it!!!!

Right after school started, we had the opportunity to go to Disney World while my parents were there! We had so much fun...it was a jam-packed 3 days of Disney!!!!!


The view from our room!!!!


Boat ride to the park!


Boys first roller coaster ride...kazen hated it, jax liked it (ps-you can't see him but he's sitting with my dad)!


























It was too short and the boys keep asking when we are going back!!!!

When we got back, Jaxon had another surprise....his glasses were ready! When I took him for his physical for Kinder, he failed the eye exam so I had to take him to the eye dr. I was told Jax needed glasses. He has done so well with wearing them & looks adorable!!!


(kazen wanted glasses too so I poked the lenses out of 3D glasses)!

Dylan's birthday came...& he had to be outta town:( so the boys ate his cupcakes for him!!!!


Jaxon stared flag football-his first organized sport! He's so cute to watch!














The league is put on by the local baptist church-it's a really cool league! The boys get a devo every practice!

On my birthday Dylan surprised me and the boys...we went to Nashville and spent the afternoon with Thomas the train!





























The boys had fun on the train (a 20min ride forward then back lol)!

Then we went to my new fav Italian place (thanks dad for getting me hooked lol)





Happy birthday to me!!!!!!!!!


I got a sweet birthday message from my Trojan family too!!!

I started working for Dylan part-time. I have an office where Kazen and I get payroll done every week! I also help with odds and ends (computer input, filing, etc).



We had Dylan's parents here for a week & a half, and my mom here for a week and a half also!


Ramona with all her grand boys!



My mom made cookies with the boys like everyday....seriously!!!!





Kazen just wants to eat the cookie dough!!!!


I just took my mom to the airport to head back to Cali last week...beautiful drive!


We are super busy with school, work, Church, sports, volunteering at school, and just livin life!!!!





























The farm animals are not ours....Dylan's uncle-that lives 100yards away from us-has all sorts of animals that we get to play with whenever we'd like!!!

Summary of other stuff!
Dylan and I are quickly becoming very involved in our church! We are hosting a 20s & 30s dinner the first weekend in Nov...should be about 150people! We are excited to get to know more people at church though! I'm also working with the pastors wife to get a moms group started for stay-at-home mommies!!! Lots of fun stuff!
Jaxon has one more football game but won't be able to go cuz we'll be a a marriage conference at church:(....but we signed him up for basketball, which starts in Dec. He is loving school and excelling academically!!!!!
Kazen and I are enjoying spending time with each other! He is growing so quick and has changed so much since we moved!!!!
Dylan has made the decision to leave the family business. When his dad was here, some things went down and things were said that made Dyaln feel as though he cannot continue to work with his family. This will be good for him, he's ready to have a dad and not a boss! He will stay to the end of the year and fulfill his current obligations. So he is currently looking/applying for jobs around here and we are prayerful for his future (He doesn't want me to have to work until Kazen goes to school).
I am still helping with payroll and whatever Dylan needs, and I'll continue until Dylan leaves. Kaz and I are having a blast hanging out everyday!!!
Our house is still FAR from being finished! We just ordered the siding so we will be putting that up this week-it's been in the 50's during the day...need to get it done before its too much colder! We've started painting the front porch, but still have a ways to go. We have no baseboards or frames on windows, and still need about 8 doors! We also need to get our tub & shower (in my bathroom) done. I still have another section of the kitchen to do, but due to current circumstances, that's moved to lowest priority. Right now we are focusing on getting a little done, as we can afford it!
Well, I think I've given ya a quick (lol) summary of where we are right now! I'll try not to let 3 months go by again before I get on here!!!:)

Xoxoxox