Oh. My. Gosh! Where has the time gone?

After finishing up my quiet time with the Lord and spending time with my Bestie I thought “it’s been a while since I wrote a blog post” and so here I am! WOW was I surprised it has been over a month since I last wrote!! What the heck has been going on??

I went to my calendar…we have attended soccer games for Treyson and Alex on Saturday’s ~ it’s been fun to see them having fun, making friends and learning new skills and getting stronger in their ability. Alex has been playing goalie quite a bit…he likes that position and is doing a great job!!!

In the last month we have tried to get used to a new schedule…it’s been so long since I have written I don’t know if I even let y’all know that Ron left Amazon the end of August and began working as a custodian at Sun Lake High School here in Land O Lakes, FL. The hours are better: 2p to 10:30p Monday thru Friday, no more weekends (unless there is a special event, which also means overtime!) He is off when the grands are off which is nice as that means we can help with keeping the boys occupied while Mom and Dad are working.

I (Ali) have been doing lots of after school pickup. Every Monday I pick up Alex from Sanders Memorial Elementary School. We usually watch a movie, have a snack and figure out something to eat for dinner and then about 6:45p Treyson joins us while Brandon and Christopher go to Scouts next door at the Methodist Church. Alex, Treyson and I play games: Boggle (T usually skunks me & A!) then it is time for UNO and Dutch Blitz. These boys are very competitive so Grammy rarely wins but that’s okay we are having fun and enjoying time together.

Two to three times a week I pick up Treyson and Christopher from school to help out B & D while they are working. I enjoy that time as we have had some great conversations and I have learned how different things are in middle and high school from when I went. And yet, kids are the same ~ I heard that the middle schoolers like to be destructive – I don’t think that has changed…kids don’t realize how expensive it is to clean or repair bathrooms with clogged drains of glitter and face paint…but we as adults do…yet they are learning their actions have consequences…no more putting on glitter/face paint at school, it is not allowed on campus – and school lunches haven’t changed much ~ either they don’t taste good or you don’t get enough. It is exciting though to hear about their classes and how they are building robots to help students with disabilities and that you can do so much with learning about math and science. And that Christopher knows more about basketball and football then I could ever imagine!

What else have we been up to? One Sunday we went to Brandon, FL to have a coffee and reconnect with a friend from AKP. Joe has his own coffee company now ~ and they are pretty tasty.
If you’re ever in the area, check them out: https://www.facebook.com/motivationalmugcoffee/

And of course we have had a few accidents…Ron tripped over a curb in the parking lot at work one night ~ heck of a way to get off a couple of hours early ~ LOL ~ but seriously he is okay, more embarrassed then anything.

I’ve started a new Bible study called Freedom. It is part of the Grace Family churches here in the Tampa area. We meet weekly on Thursday mornings and then on Tuesday’s three of us get together to do a bit more in-depth study. I’ve been enjoying being able to fellowship and get to know other Christian women in the area. I was going to say I am enjoying the Bible study but what I should say is I am feeling challenged by God in so many ways during this study ~ how I spend my time, being more intentional in giving thanks for the many ways I/we are blessed. I have started a Gratitude calendar where I list 3 things I am thankful for each day. Today I listed: 1. for a hubby who doesn’t mind doing laundry 2. having food to make a nice lunch for him before he goes to work and 3. our little home on wheels. What are you thankful for?

In thinking about this past month, life continues to move forward, we face struggles and I worry about stuff and then I am reminded that worrying really doesn’t do me any good, it gives me headaches and tummy issues and I’m reminded…it LIFE, is what it is and I just need to keep trusting God, that He is in control. Good things happen and difficult things happens but life is what it is. What I’m finally realizing is that it is my attitude and my thinking, keeping my focus on the Lord is what helps me get through each day.

That’s all for now ~ take care and know that you are loved and important!!