Happy Easter!

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Happy Easter, everyone! I know I've been absent around here. I've had my hands full, but when I get the chance I'll pop back in. The party went great, and I've got lots of things to report. See you soon!

Answered prayers

Thank you so much for all your prayers. God did indeed come through for us. My mom and dad were able to let us borrow the money we needed, and they even gave us an extra $100 to go on that does not need to be repaid. 

Another item on my prayer list lately was that God would provide a way for us to make it to Texas this year. As I've mentioned, we go every year to spend a week with Kate and Will and their kids. It's always a dear luxury, because gas alone is usually $500-$600. Add in possibly a hotel on the way down (it's about a 15 hour trip), not to mention snacks for the road and a meal or two on the way, and we're in pretty deep financially just getting there and back. One year Kate and Will flew us down, one year we drove down with Grant and Kelly and split the gas, and the last couple of years we've been able to take out a loan from Nick's 401K to make the trip. But this year we're still paying back previous loans, and we're struggling more than ever to just make ends meet. 

We had talked about it, and come to the realization that we were more than likely not going to be able to swing it this year. This was an especially big disappointment, because it was going to be just us this year. Because Kelly's baby is due this month and they will have two babies under two, she and Grant decided to skip the trip this year. We knew we would miss them, but we were also really looking forward to having Kate and Will all to ourselves for the first time ever. 

A couple of days ago Nick was talking to Kate, and he let her know that we would not be able to make it this year. She immediately told him to go ahead and ask for the time off and that they would make sure we were able to come. He told her that it was not a plea for money (and it wasn't! But we did need to let them know sooner rather than later so that they knew they wouldn't be hosting us that week). In the end he left it as planning to go down with the stipulation that we would let her know if we needed the help.

It's been hard for both of us to let go of our pride when it comes to accepting help, whether from my parents or his sister or anyone else. But God has certainly humbled us over the years, and taught us that often when we are in a position to need the help, He's using the situation to also bring blessings to the people who are following His lead to provide that help.

Anyway, I'm headed up to bed soon. Love you guys!