At my HUSBAND'S request...

Clarification dear friends:

We won't be living IN a trailor park, per say. It is more like our house is at the entrance of a bunch of retiree trailor living quarters.



=)

First week of vacation

We started it off with a road trip to M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I!

Yes, that is what we did.

We took Memaw to visit her son (the amazing Uncle Jack, Aunt Kathy, and Cousin....Cousin I don't remember his name - but he is hilaaaaarious!)

A rather uneventful, chatty trip.

We made it to MS without any detours, delays (except a lot of potty breaks), or flat tires.

Monday we spent FIVE hours driving around and saw two prospective rentals.

Did I mention this was a house shopping road trip?

It was!

We very successfully discovered where we didn't want to live.

We drove to the state park and just chilled for a bit.

I had been uncomfortable all day and it was not getting better.

"Stephen, I need to go to the hotel."

Being a gentleman, he took me back and let me rest while he went to search out more information.

We had contacted four realtors with no success.

He wasn't gone 10-15 minutes and I called him back.

What happened?

A trip to the ER, some not fun moments, a CAT scan:

"Ma'am? Have you ever had a kidney stone?"

HA! Some of you thought something else, nope!

I had my first Kidney stone.

Two more days of frustrating searching and we were told about a home in a trailor park. We shuddered. There is a certain thought/feeling/what have you when you hear those words. A fabulous (absolutely LOVE this woman) realtor had scraped up several possible homes on the Natchez side of the river. She recommended that we check out the trailor park house. It sat at the entrance of the trailor park, was rumored to be a nicer house, and rumored to have a bit of room as well. The neighborhood was also said to be safe.

We drove out there again. Two elderly people happened to be outside and we stopped to talk with them. We asked about the neighborhood, crime rate, the people in the house, etc. You name it, we asked about it. I will be there without Stephen every other week.

If it isn't safe, there is no way I would stay there!

They said in 23 years there have been 2 issues and both of those happened more than 10 years ago.

We went in to the house. The lady that lives there was sweet and showed us everything.

In short, we are meeting with the landlord to work out the lease later today!

Which is wonderful because Stephen was irritable and stressed Tuesday.

I was irritable Wednesday.

We argued about absolutely NOTHING both days.

Did I mention that "Dorie" doesn't communicate well with Logical-Black&White thinkers?

I'm abstract!

Why can't he follow my abstract thinking?

Lol

We had a lot of laughs about how dumb it was. =)

I love this man SO much!

There is more, I will share it later.

PRAISE! God supplied a home in the best school district. There is a big need for substitute teachers. We have some pretty amazing people living near by!



Tis the End

This is it.

The last day.

It feels so weird.

I look forward to Christmas break, but I don't believe it will hit me until January when next semester begins.

Our search for a house begins in earnest on Sunday.

Here is a picture of my home for the past year and a half...

No offense, but it's the best.

Best building.

Best people.

Best coworkers.

Best administration.

They will be sorely missed...

Ah ha moments

I know you never have those moments, but I do. I had a big one - shockingly large, you might say. It was even rather "Dorie-like."

Christmas is only 2 weeks away!

What the beans!?! I need to finish shopping! We do have a tree put up, and SOME shopping done. Much more to do though. Five days until the kids natural mother picks them up, one week until we go house shopping in MS. We leave on the 18th and get back on the 23rd. There's a slight chance I am pressed for time. In that same amount of time, I need to finish packing up my classroom, help go through the garage, and have energy.

Today? I pooped out. Therefore, there are no pictures.

Abby had her first sleep over with three of her little friends from school They were up all hours of the night giggling and talking - a very dear friend housed the party. Kyle went to Meme's with his cousin. They had a bonfire with their Poppa and from what I understand they just straight out had a blast! Stephen & I got to go to the Christmas party for my work. I was afraid he wouldn't have any fun, but he hit it off with several guys and talked all night!

Today was FABULOUS! ... ok let me fix that statement. This morning in church was FABULOUS! The LORD's presence filled the place and it was SO refreshing! You always know God is everywhere you are, you know He knows everything, and you know there is nothing that escapes Him. However when the LORD'S presence fills His house that is already full of His people - there are not words to fully express it! We needed it! We spent the afternoon with our family and everyone just had a lot of fun...or so I'm told. Believe it or not, I went to lay down shortly after getting there and didn't get up until shortly before we left. I missed all the fun! The kids made Christmas cookies with Meme, Uncle Jake, Aunt Kelly, and Luke.  Meme was in heaven! =) Which is good, because she deserves it! Now I'm trying to figure out how to do that for the Indiana family!

Do you realize next year is only 20 days away?





December 3rd

Wow! What a long time to leave you hanging with nothing fun to read! Change is still very dominant in our lives. Stephen & I have come to the conclusion that fast change is going to be the theme. We are more the type to stop, think about the options, think about which is the best, start thinking about moving, stop and think some more...at least when it comes to big things.

God has this plan, a very intricate plan, that is very different. For example, Stephen moved to FL again in June of 2010. I moved to FL for the first time in July of 2010. I met him in September - what a shy, quiet guy he was! I couldn't get him to do anything more than chuckle or say, "Goodmorning ma'am."

What the beans?

Whatever, I loved Connie and we were friends and that was all I cared about.

Two months later Stephen & I go on our first date and became pretty much inseparable. (November 20, 2010) He proposes on March 19, 2011. We get married June 25, 2011. Early November we discover the landlords put the house we're in on the market. We apply for a position in Natchez, MS November 17, 2011.

November 21, 2011 - "MK1 Langenmayr, orders just came through that you will be transferring to Natchez, MS. You will report as the EPO by January/February."

What do you say? Yes sir? That's what we did! Uncle Sam called, we followed.

Good thing the house is on the market! Good thing I have a FABULOUS work family that is helping me get everything together to leave, get my students taken care of, and helping me laugh off the dumb little things of life!

Kyle & Abby are excited/sad/scared about the move. Excited because it is a chance for new friends. Excited because they found out I'll actually be able to be around more since I won't be working 75 hours a week. Excited because their natural mother will be 5 hours instead of 16 hours away. Sad to be leaving the friends and family here. Scare at the idea of changing schools and not knowing what life will be like.

Stephen is excited! He will be working for a WONDERFUL Master Chief! The job he will be doing is exactly what Stephen hoped for. At Natchez, he will be under way every other week.

Kaden? Oh I'm sure if he knew what was happening he'd be happy/sad. Happy because there will be plenty of new places to sniff out. Sad because he won't be going to work with Stephen anymore at the new base. This dog is SPOILED!

Me? Excited/sad/nervous/outside of my mind happy! Excited - a new place! I love going to new places, meeting new people, and exploring! Sad - My RCE family is here. They took me in when I was nobody to them. They offered to let me spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with them last year when I was alone. Stephen's family is here - they are wonderful and I (we) will miss them A LOT! Outside of my mind happy - I won't be a full time teacher so I'll actually get to be home with my kids on the weekends!!!!!!!

There are pictures GALORE on facebook. Sorry but 90ish pictures is just too much to post on here. Besides, you upload pics on here ONE AT A TIME! YIKES! Facebook you upload all 90ish and you are done! =) Go check out the fall pictures, Abby's birthday, etc.

Thanksgiving pictures should come soon! As in hopefully a couple hours if I get my lesson  plans all done. I'm typing this for a 10 minute break...ok so it's been 5 minutes, but whatever. We teachers round time and maximize what time we have!

Love to you all!

Because we need it...

It's because we need it. Do we want it? Well, honestly, no we don't. What we would really like is the result. You have to admit, if you could have the end result without going through it, you'd take that result in a heartbeat!

Growth - it hurts. It's a pain. It's frustrating, why can't it just happen instantenously (sp?) and be done with it?! Patience - a virtue I was born without. ...ask my husband, children, and parents....they will agree with me.

I knew this year would be difficult. However, can it please be over now? Please?

Am I rambling about marriage? HECK NO! I've never enjoyed life more EVER! Am I rambling about being a mother? NOPE! Are these frustrating? haha! Only momentarily...more with myself than my family.

We are getting lessons in faith. That is what I am rambling about. God is bound and determined to awaken the hearts of His people and teach them faith through thick and through thin. The kind of faith that says, "It might be pitch black out with wolves snarling at my heels and spiders crawling all over everything (yes - I loathe spiders) but still, I will have faith that Christ's blood covers me and I am redeemed! I have the strength of the Father inside of me and nothing can knock me down!"

The tears have been flowing much more frequently. My vision is terribly near sighted. The "mole hills" surrounding me appear as though they are Mt. Everest. I haven't the strength on my own to carry on. These are too near and dear to my heart - the pain is more than I can bear. But Christ stretched His arms out and told me "I love you this much. How much do you love me?" Trembling I stretch out my arms, "I love you this much, my LORD." The devil sees me and tries his hardest to hit my heart.

I can't delve into what is going on. Mostly because it changes every moment of every day. Partially because it is painful and being that vulnerable is not something I can do right now. But the devil is trying to attack my family, my job, my heart....he can't win. The war is over - the battle is won.

Let me share some verses that have been holding me...

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  ~ James 1:2-4

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." ~ John 15:5

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." ~ Isaiah 43 (various verses)

Stephen, Kyle, Abby, and I are doing fabulous. The pictures are true pictures - we are loving being a family. Please understand, God has blessed us beyond measure! However, join with us as we pray for God to continue to bind us together. It is my honest belief that because the devil sees what a powerful witness we are for Christ as a blended family, he is doing his best to hinder us. Isn't it wonderful to know that despite his best efforts, the devil is failing?

My tears? Tears of praise, tears of weariness when my eyes are not solely focused on my Lord, tears of prayer begging God to protect my precious children from pain and to bless my husband.

My cup is full beyond measure and flowing over. I am blessed!

Fork & Spoon Museum

It has been quite a long time since I have written...let me share some pictures that you have missed out on. (Thanks to my disorganized life...it's getting better!)

Stephen and I had date night! Not last week, but the week before. =) He was sweet enough to take us to Red Lobster for endless shrimp night!

Steve LOVES having his picture taken... 

I don't exactly love having my picture taken, but was way too excited to have one on one time with him!

From Red Lobster we went to the mall. Believe it or not, I didn't find anything I wanted.

HOWEVER, Stephen did. =)

After dinner, he treated me to Starbucks!

When we got there, Stephen and I had to wait a loooong time before we ordered our coffee...

See how patient he is? 

Food doesn't always sit well in my stomach.

Little did I know there was vinegar in one of the sauces for the shrimp.

But he loves me and will wait for me...evil eyes and all!

IT was a delicious dopio!

You can't go wrong with those!

In between that date, and the museum, Steve and the kids brightened EVERY one of my mornings.

No matter how frazzled, stressed, psycho, I got - they loved me and brightened up the day!

I accidentally slept in, but Stephen helped me smile!

Abby told me at one point she loves me like a sandwich!

I look like death, but he still kisses me!

Kyle had given me a hug and kiss.

Once he saw the camera, he suddenly became engrossed in his book.

Kaden even offered me his treat!

Yes, that is his treat and not his tongue sticking out.

Now...to the moment you all have been waiting for.

Short version - I need horse fixes.

Stephen decided to surprise me with going to the horse festival with me!

We told the kids we were going to the Fork and Spoon Museum.

We got them spiral notebooks and pencils to take notes.

They had to write a report about the various historical forks and spoons they would see.

There were spoons from before there was metal work discovered.

Others were used by patriarchs, such as George Washington!

See how excited Kyle and Abby were?

Abby is a perfectionist.

By the time we took this picture, she was almost in tears because she couldn't draw a fork or spoon.

To help them feel better, we swung by our favorite local coffee shop.

Stephen & I got coffee.

Kyle and Abby split a coke, it seemed to help their moods as bit.

I tried to take a picture of Stephen and me.

9 times out of 10, he does something similar to this in a picture...

WAIT!!!! WHAT/!??!?! THE HORSE FESTIVAL!?!?!

YYYAAAYYY!!!!!

Here are a few pictures of our day  =)

This is Abby's favorite!

It took 3rd for color.

She got to go visit it in the stall and pet it!

Stephen and my favorite... =)

This horse took first place in mounted marksmen ship...Basically shooting from horse back.

The guy was super nice and let Abby feed the horse cookies then led her around a bit.

  

Kyle found a couple horses he liked... 

GOLDEN CORRAL! ICE CREAM AND PIZZA!

YYYEEEEAAAAAHHHH!!!!!! 

Now, I leave you with this final photo.

It shows Stephen and me as we truly are.

Me the ever happy innocent one...and him, well, I'll let you decide!