Phase Two of the Craziness

We have now entered phase two of the craziness. Before I talk about the craziness that is to come, I'd like to tell you about the end of phase one of the craziness. On Tuesday November 17th Josh flew from Atlanta to Philly and then drove up to Albany for his Nanas viewing and service. He then drove back down to Philly Wednesday afternoon and flew back down to Atlanta that night. I, along with a few of my friends, left super early Thursday morning and drove down to Atlanta so we could attend Josh's graduation on Friday morning. It was so amazing being at the home office for Josh's graduation. We got to take a tour of the home office and hear great stories of the beginning of Chick-fil-A. It made me even more grateful to be a part of such an amazing company. Then came graduation time. It was more like a party than a graduation. There was no sad sounding entrance song. Instead, it sounded like each Operator was being announced at a major league baseball game. It was so great and I was fighting back tears the entire time.

Josh was chosen by his peers to be the graduation speaker. I have no doubt that all those men have great stories, but I never tire of listening to his story. He did a great job sharing all that the Lord has done in his life over the years and what the Lord is doing now. He embarrassed me greatly with a little shout out to me, but I knew I was going to cry no matter what and so I let the tears flow. As great as it was hearing him speak, it was just as great sitting in a row with 4 people how have all played an active roll in his growing with CFA. Friday was also heard because my mom was having open heart surgery. She had to have a triple bypass and it was really hard to be away. But she reassured me that I was suppose to be in Atlanta and God gave me a great peace about her surgery. After shedding a few tears after I got off the phone with her, I felt God tell me "It's OK. I got this." and I was able to relax.... sort of. Josh spent a few days in Florida for Operator coach week, came home for thanksgiving, and then flew out early Monday morning. And so begins "Phase two of the craziness". Josh has officially started in his store in Jackson and has been spending the past few days getting into the swing of things. I am now trying to get back in the routine or kids, work, and packing. One great communal living perk is that I have been able to pack 90% of my kitchen stuff because Jess can just unpack hers stuff so we aren't missing anything. I still have a lot of packing to do, but I know it will all get done... eventually. Prayer: For a house. There are a few places we have been in contact with so now it's just making sure josh has time to look at them all and choose the right one for us. God has called us to Jackson so I know that he already has a place lined up for us so I have stopped worrying about it. Good time management. There are nights when I have no desire to do anything let alone pack. Please pray that I make good choices and have to energy to get everything done. Peace as we say goodbye to all our friends and family. This time of the year is busy for everyone and add moving across the country to that and it makes it a bit much to bear. Needs: Washer dryer. Most of the places have a W/D hook up just not the appliance themselves. So if you know someone who is selling a set for a good price, please let us know. Loading day help. The plan is to get the moving truck packed on Sunday the 27th. We'll need help packing the truck as well as taking apart all the beds. Moving help: We also need a few people to come with us to help us on the trip. We need at least one person so we can pick up josh's car when we get to Nashville. And it would be great to have someone in my car to help with the kids. ideas/supplies for car ride: I had stared a list of things that I will be needing for the car ride to make the trip for the kids fun. If you have any great ideas, please share or if you have some old clip boards or Magna Doodles you are no longer using please pass them my way. Thanks all for now. Thank you so much for spending the time to read about our lives. We know that everything is in Gods hands and my prayer is that no matter what, He will be glorified.

Our journey so far

I have decided to dust off my old blog in order to document this journey our family is on. Most of you know by now that my wonderful husband has been selected as the owner and operator of the Old Hickory Mall Chick-fil-A in Jackson Tennessee. This has been a crazy ride so far and it's only going to get crazier. As of right now Josh is down in Atlanta for his training. He has been there since mid October. He will be graduating from that class on November 20th which I get to attend with a few of my chick fil a friends. From there, he will drive to Jackson and conduct his interviews that weekend. Because he is the new operator he gets to choose who stays and who goes. Starting on that Monday he will be in Florida for his coaching week. He will come home for Thanksgiving (hooray), spend a few days with the family, but then he is back to Jackson to start in his store December 1st. He will fly back for Christmas and then we will all make the move to Jackson a few days after Christmas. Did you catch all that? Me neither. But so far everything has been working out. He has a great group of guys with him in his class, and I am holding down the fort with lots and lots of help. For me, I am working full time to help support our family. While Josh becoming and operator is what we have been working for, these weeks of him in training is unpaid. I have been blessed to be able to work at the Delran Chick fil A with a great staff who has been helping me in learning the business but also have been great friends while I am missing my best friend. I am going to miss them greatly. I also have some amazing women in my life who have sacrificed their own time (and sanity) to watch my kids so I can work. To work full time and then have to pay for sitting would be counter productive so these people are blessing my family more than they can imagine! For now, that is what sums up what has been going on with us. Some people have asked how they can be praying or if there was anything that we needed. I want to keep people posted on everything that's going on but don't want to shout it out over social media so this is where I am going to post prayer requests and needs. Here are some prayer request: For josh: He will be traveling a lot over these next two months. Pray for safety and that his car can make the trip. Also on Wednesday night josh's Nana passed away. He will be flying up for the viewing on Tuesday, staying for the service on Wednesday and then flying back down so he can graduate. Please pray for all his travels and for the time with his family. For me: That I keep my priorities God, Family, then everything else. I am struggling balancing it all and I'm getting my focus out of wack For the kids: With me working most days and having a different person watching them, they lack structure and consistency and it has taken a toll on them. Please pray they stay resilient and forgiving of my absents. Pray we find a house. We have put in an application for a house that, in our eyes, would be perfect for us. But it is in the Lords hands. We are getting down to a time crunch and it would be great if I could cross that off of my "to do" list. Need other than prayer: Packing stuff (boxes, papers, tape, motivation, etc) I will do my best to pick this stuff up or you can drop it at my place any time. Child care help: Like I said before I have a few great ladies who watch my kids but there are times when I need someone to help fill the gaps. It's hard for me to ask for help, but I know that I need to so if you are willing to help me when I am in a sticky situation please let me know. That's all for now. Thank you in advanced for all your prayers and help. Christmas will be here before we know it.... and then we will be gone. I am not ready.