Jermiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Well, today was an interesting day to say the least. I found out today that I am being "tenatively offered" the job at the library. Meaning, I have the job as long as I pass a physical, drug screening, and an FBI background check.  This should make anyone around here feel good about our library. They take their employees very VERY seriously.  Which, because I will pass all of these tests, means I'm going to get the job.  There were 40 other applicants, some of which had degrees in library sciences.  So I feel very blessed to have been picked for the position.  God is so good.  This job was something we have prayed about persistently from the moment I mailed in my resume.  The prayer was that I really wanted this job, but that God's will be done.  I am so grateful that God's will is going to include this job that will allow me to work enough to keep our finances in order, but less hours so that Sylvia doesn't have to be at a babysitters house all week long.  The job was a God send from the moment the ad was put in the paper.  I'm really looking forward to working in the library.  I grew up going to this library.  My grandma always used to take us as kids.  I have a lot of fond memories of many hours spent there.  Now, I'm going to get paid to work there! It's going to be a different kind of work than I have ever done before  I'm sure there will be an adjustment period of me getting used to it,  but I trust God that this is the right move for me, the right move for our family.  I really REALLY needed a job on this side of the river too.  We found out that last month, we spent $350 in gas! That's a lot of money, and it's only going to get worse as time goes on.  My supervisor at my current job was very understanding of why I am leaving.  She has been great through the whole process of my applying for this job.  She hates to see me go as an employee but she is personally happy for me.  I'm grateful for her support! I will keep you updated on this new chapter in our lives as soon as it gets started, which according to the info given during my interview will be the end of March or beginning of April!

On a whole other note all together, on my way home from  picking Sylvia up tonight, I hit a huge deer with the Buick. God was watching out for us in many ways.  Although I hit the deer going at least 55 miles per hour, and the deer was a large deer, there was minimal cosmetic damage to the front of the car, and both Sylvia and I are ok.  The deer...not so lucky! It was very VERY scary.  This was actually the first deer I have hit.   I have been driving for 11 years and tonight was my first deer hit.  I'm really grateful for the sense of calmness God provided me with.  I didn't panic, didn't swerve or slam on my breaks.  Whew! It was a close call though.  It really freaked the woman who was driving behind me out.  She followed me all the way to a traffic light stop to ask me if I was ok. 

Thank God for all of his many blessing today! And thank you to any of our wonderful family and friends who have kept us in your thoughts and prayers.

And of course...here is your Sylvia pic for the day.  She is always amused by her hands!

This is the outfit...

That Sylvia was wearing when she rolled over for the first time! :) She seemed surprised and pleased with herself.  It was really cute! I put her on her back again, and she rolled over again within 2 minutes.  Next time I suppose I will have to make her roll herself back over on her own, but I was so excited I wanted to see her do it again because the first time I caught it out of the corner of my eye.  She is growing up so fast! She is also now eating her toes...yum! :)

Maniac Monday

It took Sylvia over tow hours to go to sleep tonight! Not sure why she was being so difficult. Hopefully she won't pull this tomorrow night.

Lazy Sunday

Sylvia is soooo close to rolling over! Not quite there yet, but I feel like this week will be the week!

TUMMY TIME!

Warning: Extreme Cuteness Below

Interview report.

My interview with the library today went well, or at least I hope so.  The skills test was difficult and the face-to-face portion was intense.  I was told the interview would be only two hours and it ended up being three hours long.  I'm thinking this was a good thing. We will see in just a couple weeks.  They have a few more people to interview next week.  My prayer continues to be that I really want this job, but that the Lord has his will in our lives.  If I don't get this job, it won't be because I didn't try my very hardest.  There is a plan for us, and we are trusting in God.

A negative thing to report....Allen has started his cluster cycle as of yesterday.  This is going to be a difficult time for him and in turn for all of us.

Who needs sleep!?!

Tonight Sylvia decided she didn't want to go to bed until 10:30! This is an hour and a half past her bedtime! Silly girl!

I'm hopelessly addicted

To this little girl's smile!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's a special Valentine's Day here at the Cooleys because we have a very special Valentine named Sylvia! :) Four years ago today, my best friend proposed to me.  I posted this on facebook, but I wanted to be sure and share it on here.  I actually want to tell everyone, shout if from the rooftops.  My husband is amazing! He's so good to me and he is an awesome Dad to our baby girl.  I can't imagine my life without him.  I'm so very blessed to have the heart of such an amazing man.

I think about how much I love my husband, my baby, and my family, and I am reminded of how much greater the Father's love is for us.  As much as I love, his love is greater. It's hard for me to even fathom.  Sometimes I feel like I love so much that my heart is going to burst. To know that the creator of the universe loves me infinitly more than that humbles me.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, shall not perish by have ever lasting life." John 3:16

Baby blue eyes!



Grandma Brenda and Grandad, does this look familiar? :)

A good day of worship!

Today was a great day of worship at church.  Sylvia almost made it through the whole service without crying...not quite though.  She and I ended up hanging out in the back of church with another baby, her friend Cohen from bible study.  She was tired...he was bored...two onery kiddos with their parents in the back of the church...it was kind of cute, but an inappropriate time to snap a picture.  We did get some cute pics from before church and after church though.  Sylvia spent some time with Uncle Caleb today.  She sure does love him! :) Now, if we can only get Uncle Caleb to change diapers...

A fun day at home

We didn't have anything planned for today except family time. (and the obligatory grocery shopping and laundry...) It was nice.  We haven't had a stay at home day for a while.  Sylvia really is back to 100% and had a good time with Mommy and Daddy.  The pictures above are proof!

On the move!

I stayed home with Sylvia today because I thought yesterday she seemed to be feeling better but at bedtime she still acting sick and running a low grade fever. Tonight around 6pm she really started to perk up.  She isn't 100% yet, but I'm sure tomorrow she will feel even better.  I have included picture of Sylvia during tummy time.  She is starting to hate it less...and is actually make an effort to move when rolled over on her belly.  She also is starting to roll to the side, she cannot roll over yet but she is realizing she has some control over her motor functions.  She will be rolling over before we know it.

Beautiful Baby

I thank God every day for this precious child. She has not been feeling well since last night.  This evening she is feeling a little better, but is still not 100%.  This nasty virus has made it's rounds in the Cooley house.  Let's hope it's the only one we get for the reast of the season!

Sylvia Says

Hands are just as much fun as my feet!

I look like my daddy, don't I !

Get my good side mommy!

I am sooooo done taking pictures!

I'm only pretending!

Hmmm...not finding much time to post with going back to work and taking care of Sylvia, but wanted to take a quick moment to let everyone know we are doing well.  I have been home sick the past two days with a virus that causes a very sore throat and a runny nose.  Hopefully Sylvia will not end up sick.  She seems to be feeling well so far. Allen said he hasn't been feeling very well either, but hasn't displayed any of the symptoms I have come down with.  I go back to work tomorrow, wish me luck! Sylvia is growing quickly.  She is discovering new things each day.  This week she has become fascinated with her hands and with watching us play with our hands, too.  She is also in love with Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar book, and the My First Farm Book.  Both keep her occupied and engaged. 

Last weekend on Sunday we participated in our church's baby dedication, where we publicly dedicated ourselves to raising our precious daughter in a Christian home to teach her about the love of Jesus and how to love others in the same way.  It was wonderful to hear the church promise to support us in our efforts.  It meant alot to us to have Allen's parents and my grandparents there to witness the dedication. We are so grateful to have the support of our families.  For their love and guidance, and for teaching us about Jesus.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!