Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was a little different for us, being that we didn't get to spend the holiday with family, but we had a great day none the less! We invited a family to have dinner with us. They are relativly new to our church here, but we have become fast friends. We have been blessed with great freinds here in Tennesse, and we will miss them when we leave!

On The Move Again

The saga of the Wickerts continues........After a year in Tennessee, we have made the decision to move yet again! Over the last year we have been challenged, we have sturuggled in many areas, and been stretched greatly. But we have also grown and been encouraged in many ways. We have met some dear people that will remain friends for a lifetime. We have clearly seen the Lords direction in the decision that we have made to move again. So let me share a little of how we arrived at this decision!

When we relocated to Tennessee from Alaska, alot of things where unknown to us. We arrived in a little town called Portland which is about 30 minutes north of Nashville. Not intending to settle in the Portland area we started searching for homes and jobs closer in to Nashville, but as it happened Jasen was offered a position with the City of Portland as their building inspector, we found a church home on our first visit there, and we found a great house, in a great neighborhood, for a great price, so, we stayed! Life was going along, I settled into homeschool with Jaden and Adam, Jasen & I started discussing possible business ideas for the upcoming years. Everything changed about 4 months later when Jasen, feeling uncomfortable with some the duties he was being asked to perform resigned his position with the city. At that time we fell back on his carpentry business. Things went ok for a while but with the ecomony being the way it is, the work just wasn't there. Jasen took a trip to Florida during this time to look at a business that was for sale down there, but when that didn't materialize, we decided to accelerate our "business plans" and move forward with our plan for a coffee shop/bistro in Portland.

We explored a few different locations, put together a business plan and started moving ahead. We looked a several different locations, but for one reason or another they were not the best. Then about two months ago, we found the ideal location, an old historical home on the edge of town, with a great big yard and tonnes of character. We were very excited at the potential and possibilities the place afforded, so with my parents, we made an offer which was accepted and started the process of buying the place. In the meantime we started up a catering service out of our home, with the intention of moving it into the new building by the new year. So, things were moving along fine until about three weeks ago!

Within one week, all of our "plans" fell apart. Two days before we were to sign our closing documents on the house, the loan fell through due to a "technicality". Two very large catering jobs that I had tentativly secured were cancelled, and Jasen received a call with a job offer in Florida!! Talk about life being upside-down! We didn't know what to do. Thankfully my parents were here that week, so we were able to bounce things back and forth with them, and felt very supported during a time when things were pretty rough.

So, after MUCH prayer, instead of trying to force the purchase of the house through which we could have done based on the nature of the "technicality" we decided to let it go, convinced that God's protection was in it and we were not to proceed any further. But then we were left with "what now?". The possibility of the job offer in Florida became our focus and after talking with the owner of the business, who is a member of my Dads church in Naples, we decided to move forward and Jasen accepted the position that was offered. So, over the course of the last week or two we have a job with a lot of potential for growth, and we have rented our home to some great people who may eventually like to buy it from us, the kids are excited about being close to Grandma & Grandpa and we have peace for the first time in a long time!

Our time here in Tennessee has taught us alot, things that I don't know if we would have learned elsewhere. We were here for a purpose, we know that, but we feel very strongly that it's time to move on. We will be moving around the second week in January, as Adam wanted to celebrate his birthday here with all of his friends! Jasen has been blessed with alot of work here over the next couple of months, and he will start his new job around the 15th of January.

So, life goes on and it's never dull!! I'll continue to update you all as we make decisions, but we are excited to celebrate the holidays here, then move on the see what the future holds!

From The Mouths Of Babes

Adam- "Mommy, I am going to stay with you until you die, then I am going to go and live with Uncle Dave and Auntie Jenn"  Mommy - "Well, what about Daddy, don't you want to stay with him?" Adam - "Yes, but he is older than you, so he will already be dead!"

Fall Arrived!

Well Fall is officially here. The temperature has dropped and the trees are turning color. Fall is my favorite time of year, Tennessee is at its most beautiful and our house is at its coziest! Our last round of visitors left last week. Jasens mom, sister and our nephews came for a short visit. We had a lot of fun. Having six little boys running around the house is not for the faint of heart, and poor Leah was just plain out numbered! However it was good for the twins to finally meet their Aunt Amanda.

Another fun fall activity we took the kids to yesterday was October Fest at a local farm. We got to go on a hay ride, pick pumpkins, run through a hay maze, and pet numerous animals. It was a sunny crisp day and very enjoyable.

Long Time No Post!

I know, it has been FOREVER since I posted our doings on here. We have had tons going on. Life has been pretty much a whirlwind over the last month. I have lots to share and many pictures to post. But I will start with these. Over the last month we have had alot of company. It started with my mom and nana, they visited for a week in September. Then the week after they left Jasens dad and stepmom visited for a few days. Following their departure, my parents came up for a week, and in the middle of that my brother surprised me with a visit for my birthday! So you can see that there has been little time for blogging! We have much more news to share but you will have to wait a few days to find out what it is!

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My Babies Are Off To School!!

I can not believe that this day has come! Today was the first day of preschool for Leah & Evan. They were so excited, and looked so cute with their backpacks and lunchboxes. We have enrolled them in a two day a week program at First Baptist Church. They have a great program, everything is clean, well organized and the ladies that run it are wonderful. We are excited to see Leah & Evan learn this year, they have grown so fast, and are so sweet.

Change Is Afoot Again!

Change is in the air again for the Wickert family! We aren't quite sure what that is yet, but we are praying that it is made clear soon. A lot has happened over the last month or so. A business opportunity that we were persuing here fell through, my brother and his family moved to DC for a job so things are feeling a little unsettled again.

Jasen is running his business here, but the work is not consistent and we need more stability. Jasen recently took a trip to Florida to look at a couple of business options there, and there are a couple of possibilities but we aren't quite sure what to do right now. Of course my Mom and Dad are there, so that would be a big plus if we were to move. In the midst of it all though we are well. I am homeschooling again this year, and will start the first week of September.

We have been enjoying the summer, the kids love the pool and being outside. Jasen is enjoying his ride on lawn mower and all of the help that comes along with that!

Happy Birthday Leah & Evan!

The 4th of July holiday is always very full and busy for us, and this year was no exception. The 3rd marks Jadens' birthday, then the 4th festivities, and the 5th is Leah & Evans special day. The weekend went by in a bit of a blur, but we had alot of fun!

Jaden Turns Eight!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jaden who turned eight today! We had a great time with family and friends.

Ball Game

This past Sunday we had the opportunity to go to a Nashville Sounds ball game. A group of 35 of us went from the church. I am not into baseball at all, but it was fun to be with everyone and watch the kids have fun. The boys stayed until the end and got to go down onto the field and run the bases, which they thought was really cool!

Be Thankful

I saw this video a while ago, but was reminded of it once more today. I think it is a great reminder to us, especially those of us moms who sometimes get exasperated with our kids! Let's be thankful for them DAILY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkq0

Summer Time Fun

Well, here we are again three weeks since my last post! For those of you that check for updates regularly, I apologize! I too get irritated when week after week I check peoples' stagnant blogs. I promise to do better :)

We have had quite a busy few weeks. Trying to finish up school, birthdays, family visits, and playing in the sun.

Things are going well for us. We are continuing to seek Gods direction for the long term future, there are a couple of things in the works which I can share once a few more pieces fall into place. I am putting quite a bit of effort into my website, trying to finish my book on motherhood, and I have just started writing for an online news site Nashville Examiner. I did my first radio interview today. The subject was Homeschooling. It was fun, but the hour went very quickly. Jasen has reinstated his construction business and is slowly getting work here. The children are growing and give us alot of joy, they are definitely enjoying the nice weather, and spend most of their days outside.