Forever Feburary

Do you sometimes wonder if winter will ever end? I know I've really caught the "spring fever bug". I'm ready for warm sunshine and no white stuff. I can't even say the "S" word anymore, for fear that it will bring more upon us.

Our 2010 started about as normal as is possible for the Noyes family. Mike's job is going well. Homeschooling is going well. (Except when the teacher and the student have spring fever!) Life in general is going well.

Our valley doesn't seem as deep which is a great relief. Going through growing times and spiritual struggles are difficult. Sometimes, I wish I knew what was at the end to help the beginning and middle feel better, but in His infinite wisdom, He knows I would be able to handle that. So, you continue on. I'm so thankful for the women God has put in my path and for their acceptance of me-just as I am on an equal plain. There are still times of sadness, but I know that there will be a great ending.

Mike's mom, who lives in Delaware, has experienced what I would call a Midwest winter. She has been home bound for the last 9 days and is ready to break out!! It has truly been an interesting winter for everyone around the country.

I hope you 2010 has started out with hope and peace.

Love to all.

As the year approaches....

As we are winding down 2009, I have to sit back and reflect. I would normally say that I am a "glass half full" kind of person, but after this last year, I'm having a hard time seeing the glass at all.

The one positive thing that has happened was Mike was hired back at GMAC and so we didn't have to have an extensive job search.

There are so many things in our lives that have happened that we haven't been able to share with anyone. To help them understand our reactions and reasons. Way to many things to carry for yourself. Personally, I'm at the end of the rope with no knot in it. I've quit looking for a bright spot in the day, now I'm happy for just a spot. Everything that we have had to give us support has been taken away. So, what's the point.

Now before you all go crazy, I'm not going to do anything dumb---I'm just emotionally spent.....absolutely spent.....I do not want any more surprises coming our way....any more valleys to be in. Honestly, I don't know that we have every left the valley we started in in January....it just became a deeper and deeper valley.

I know at the end of the year and at the Christmas season you should be rejoicing and celebrating.....but honestly, it's just not there. I don't care who gets what or even when they get it. I've definitely lost my "joy" and I am to tired to try and find it.

I hope that you have had an enjoyable year and that 2010 holds even more happiness for you.....

Until 2010.

Another Adventure

There are many times in your life you are given a new adventure from God. I know for me I can say that I don't always appreciate these adventures until they are over. Then I look back and I see God guiding us through everything. This is much the same for this adventure.

We recently found out that Mike's job will be ending on November 16th. They were called in for a meeting on Thursday Sept. 17th and given the news. Of course, you are immediately filled with questions for the future. Along with the obvious severance package offer and the hope of finding a new job. This lay-off came with a relocation offer to move to Dallas, Texas. Now, I have to say that in the beginning the whole thought of moving did not appeal to me. As I began researching it became more and more intriguing for me. Of course, as with anything new there are always pros and cons--but it was the excitement of "starting fresh" that intrigued me the most. I know that Mike and Sherrianne don't share my excitement at the possibilities of moving and until we are very sure what God wants us to do, I won't start packing boxes.(Although, the urge is there--just to get a head start!!!)

So, most of all I would ask that you pray with us as we seek God. Pray that His will would be so evident that we couldn't miss it. Pray that Mike will be able to continue to be a witness to the people around him--it's so hard to stay positive in an extremely negative situation. Pray for work--we really need both full-time and part-time work. Pray for our finances and that we would be good stewards of our money.

You never know where you'll end up when you begin a new adventure. Sometimes you come full circle, sometimes it's just one step, and sometimes you land in a completely new place. Wherever our adventure ends, we know that God will be with us.

"La Sherrianne"

It's so amazing to watch your children "grow-up". Sherrianne has been strongly suggesting that she's ready to start cooking. Now, I'm all for that. Except...I have a pretty good routine for getting supper on the table. But, at some point my routine needs to go out the window and she needs to start learning so, we opted for the opening of "La Sherrianne". The menu include Cheesy Mostaccioli, Garden Salad w/ yellow peppers (which she actually ate), garlic bread and then chocolate Volcano Cake for dessert. Once the Mostaccioli was on it's way the true lesson of cooking...multitasking began. We needed to chop the veggies for the salad, set the table, stir the mostaccioli, brown the hamburger, etc. She did a great job! She listened on how to use the sharp knives the importance of spices and of course adding the special secret ingredient of LOVE!

Mike was not allowed in the house until the supper was on the table. Sherrianne was very excited to escort her daddy to the table for his surprise dinner. She had set the table very nicely making the silverware look like "X's" for hugs and then the very nicely baked Mostaccioli was served and the taste testing began.

Mike was the first taster and loved it--as a proud daddy should. We all enjoyed the meal. Then came the dessert. The Chocolate Volcano Cake--let's just say it proved it's name!! Once all of the clean-up was finished we were able to enjoy a lovely dessert. I'm very sure that we will be sampling more of Sherrianne's meals at "La Sherrianne". I'm looking forward to enjoy some meals that I don't have to cook. But, the down side is that I have to do the clean-up since I didn't cook. I guess that a fair trade.





Keep a look out for more recipes from "La Sherrianne", you will definitely want to make your reservation very soon!!

It has been an incredibly LONG time!!!

I have finally arrived back on the blogging band wagon. I'm amazed at all that has happened since the last time I blogged. I will do my very best to give you the "Reader's Digest" Version.

The second week in February I had surgery on my right ankle--what was to be a routine surgery turned into twelve weeks of recovery. My posterior tibial tendon, which allows you to go up on your toes had been torn, so they went in to fix that. Two weeks later, I was back in to have the staff infection cleaned out and then two weeks after that became my "toes above the nose" party as well as three different antibiotics to clear out the infection. Three rounds of antibiotics later and the infection FINALLY cleared out. That pretty much took care of February, March, April and May. We were blessed many times over by our church family bringing in meals and groceries and loving extra on Sherrianne. Sherrianne was a great help--she totally understands how difficult it is to let people take care of you.

May found us gearing up for summer and for Sherrianne learning how to ride her bike. This is the first year she's really been able to do that because of her knee. She was not very excited about learning--mainly from her fear of falling. Our friend Becky, was very instrumental in Sherrianne learning and if we could ride on grass all the time...she would be a great bike rider. Instead "Speedy 2" (the original speedy died), her scooter is the true love of her life. That is until...she biffed it on the sidewalk and broke (yes, I know your surprised) her hand...so our count now is casts 6, Sherrianne 0. You know that you've had too many casts if you don't care what color it is!! Thankfully we were able to get a water proof cast, so it did not cut into any of our swimming time!! Sherrianne is becoming more comfortable in the water and is beginning to swim more.

In July we were able to head down to Fair Play, MO a small town north of Springfield, MO to see Mike's family. It was a very enjoyable time. Sherrianne met two more of her cousins, Jo and Jess and Mike was able to reconnect with his cousin Bill--a radical Eagle's Fan---he even has a Eagle's Room. (It's a little scary if you ask me!!) One of Sherrianne's highlights was feeding the baby goats. One of my favorite things was hand feeding the squirrels the had raised from babies. We took Jess with us one day to Springfield to the Discovery Center--we all had a wonderful time. Here we are letting our hair "up" --Sherrianne didn't want to do it because it said "DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE", we tried to explain to her, that if we were doing it along with EVERYONE else in the center...it wasn't going to hurt her--sometimes she scares me!!! Of course, Mike had to try it out as well!! One of my favorite stops was at Krispy Kreme--fresh and hot...how I miss them!! We also had a wonderful dinner with some old friends from Cedar Valley. What a great way to end a trip. We made it home safely and came in to a beautiful new dining room floor. Our friend Ken stripped our original hardwood floor down and now it looks gorgeous!! Cleaning it is not much fun, but we really enjoy it. There's more to talk about but I'll close for now and getting ready for some GREAT sleeping weather.

Spring is closer!

It's so amazing to watch the seasons change and new life come out of the cold. I really love summer, but I think that spring has to be one of the most amazing seasons. New life begins, new colors are born, and the old become new again.

Isn't that how our spiritual life is sometimes? God, brings us the "springs" in our life at just the perfect time. Just exactly when we need it.

As I've thought over the last year, I realize how many blessings God has given me. New and exciting friendships, a wonderful husband, an amazing daughter, a silly, pathetic dog and good health. We've had struggles, but God has and always will be there. One of the best things that has happened to me this year was on January 30th. A dear friend of many years, has become a new believer, something I have prayed and yearned for for a long time. She is an amazing woman with many gifts, talents, and abilities and a very giving heart. So, she and I went to a Chris Tomlin concert together. It was so surreal, having someone who is a sister to me, standing next to me and worshipping together. What could be better?? Thank you God for the blessing!!

My goal for this year is to stay focused on the positive, even in the negative. God has been helping me to see Him in everything. Then, how can you be negative?

I pray a wonderful year for you and your family as you travel down God's road.

Love,
Wendy

Hello to everyone!

Well, 2009 is off to a cold start!! Sometimes, Florida is looking better and better!! I hope that everyone's Christmas and New Year's were wonderful. We had a great time.

Christmas was very fun. Jason was with us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We were also able to have his girls for a few hours to share Christmas with them. Jason is doing well. He sold his house in December and he has had quite a few callback interviews. We're still praying for a job offer, but it shouldn't be too long!

Sherrianne turned eight at the end of December. It's very hard to think she's growing up. The old cliche is true---it only seems like yesterday...I think each year it seems more accurate. Her knee is doing great! She's been given the ok to use her knee fully. She's very excited! We're really looking forward to spring!!

Mike is doing well--he's pretty excited because of the Eagles being in the playoffs!! You would think we own the Eagles!! His job is doing okay--please continue to pray..the mortgage industry is still shaky.

I'm doing well...still working on losing weight. Not my most favorite thing, but definitely something that has to be done.

I pray peace, love and happiness for all of you!

Love,
Wendy