this and that

so life's been all over the place the last 2 weeks. ever since the accident, life's been a waiting game. we had to wait a week to receive our offer from insurance and get the check. then we had 3 days to find a van before we had to return the complementary rental car. it went back friday. we still have no van. who in the world knew it could be so much work? i think it just feels that way because we feel the urgency to get a vehicle quickly. thankfully, we can use the work truck as needed and as long as they don't need it for the business. it inconveniences people so we definitely need a van soon. we've had so many ups and downs while shopping. we think a certain van is perfect and get to the dealership and realize it's NOT. we think we will be able to make a deal and then they change their mind at the end and we have to walk away. anyway, it's been tiring. my back is still quite sore from the wreck and a couple days last week i could barely walk by the end of the day. i'm going to see a chiropractor tomorrow, so i hope to get some relief. all in all, we are so thankful, of course. God has shown some abundant blessing in all this mess. as He always does. His love is so gentle. 

what else has been going on...oh, we were struck with the runny nose plague again. finley introduced us all this time. and it is inevitable that when his nose runs, 2 days later audrey is right there too. luckily, it hasn't been too rough this time around, but not desireable of course.
jake and i were blessed to go on a date last monday. dinner, movie, free babysitter... perfect for us. 
my mom mailed me some incredibly comfy maternity yoga pants. lifesaver. 
i go to the doctor this week so i'm excited to check in on baby3. he/she is plenty active so i don't worry too much. i'm getting excited to meet this newest one. we've made progress with finley who actually predicted the baby to be a "bruder" this week instead of a garbage truck. that is HUGE improvement. lol.
i've got some big ideas for ways to spruce up jake and i's room. it needs some tlc. big time. i'm excited to get some work done in there. i figure i'll be spending much more time in there when baby comes and i want it to be warm and cozy.
audrey can kind of, sort of count to 10. fo real, y'all. and she knows most of the abc's. before you give me a standing applause, which i know you regularly want to do, it's all her. i can already tell as she wants to do everything herself that she is a self-learner/teacher/smarty pants. she is so special to us.
God's been doing some work in my heart. just cleaning out some junk and hopefully replacing it with goodness. it's a hard process. i just hope i am listening and willing because i know what He has for me is way better than what i have for myself.  life is all about the day to day and they way the Lord is renewing our mind and heart to be like His.

i am grateful for you today. thanks for popping in and checking on us. i've decided our "life family motto" (which i come up with a new one like every 6 months, but this one will stick:)) is: "do not grow weary in doing good."from Galatians. i want my babies to grow up with this in mind and heart and i pray none of us will grow weary in doing good. the light is so much better.

love to you.
mer   

some pic from a recent park day:

   
  i'm a little technologically challenged, but i'm hoping to make my blog flow more and look "cooler" eventually. haha.