We Serve An Awesome God!

I apologize in advance for the length of this post.  It could have been so much longer.

This morning as I sat down to do my devotions and catch up on my blog reading.  I got the urge to go back and read all that I had blogged since I started this blog two years ago.

Wow! What a journey!  We have been blessed in every way and then some.  We have enjoyed times of abundance and been kept in times of need.  I noticed one common theme throughout each and every post; and that is, that we truly serve Faithful, Loving, and Awesome God. I reveled and rejoiced at His provisions.

No matter where we were or what was going on in our lives God has always provided.  We have some how never been without.  It is an amazing feeling to know that He really does hold us in his hands, like the Sunday School songs says, "He's got the whole world in his hands."

As I reread all that I had written I began truly rejoicing and thanking God for all that he has done for me and our family.  We have been struggling again with a financial issue not knowing where or how we were going to be able to come up with the money we needed to pay for Chris's last summer session of school.  Without that money he would be ineligible to graduate and would have to wait until fall to resubmit for graduation.  We have been praying about it and we both knew that God would provide but we are human after all and sometimes get a little antsy waiting.  Since Chris is done next Friday and we still had no idea where we were going to come up with the money; we have both been a little stressed about it. 

And like always, today, we got our answer.

God Provides!

This afternoon, Chris called to inform me that he had received a special grant from ASU that covered all but $35 of what we owed for his tuition. PRAISE THE LORD!

I cried.  I know that my time of rejoicing and remembering early today had humbled me, and when I was done with my morning devotion I knew that it would be fine.  God had not brought us this far to let us drown now. He had everything taken care of and all He wanted or even need from me was my faith and trust in Him that He and He alone knows what is best for me and my family.

This blog, I know does little justice to the joy and comfort I feel in my heart that comes from a life in Jesus.  No words can truly express what I feel.  I want to shout it from the rooftop.  There are about a thousand praise and worship songs that have been ringing in my head.

So I leave you with this, in good times and in bad,

"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings; name them one by one. 
Count your blessings; see what God hath done.
Count your blessings; name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; see what God hath done.


Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings; name them one by one.
Count your blessings; see what God hath done.
Count your blessings; name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; see what God hath done.


When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings, money can not buy your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

Count your blessings; name them one by one.
Count your blessings; see what God hath done.
Count your blessings; name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; see what God hath done.


So a mid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angles will attend, help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Count your blessings; name them one by one.
Count your blessings; see what God hath done.
Count your blessings; name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; see what God hath done."

Boy Oh Boy

I love my son, he is my little man.  He has been such a blessing to my life and our family.  I can't even imagine our family or life without him.

For the last couple of years Gabe has had to share a room with a sister, because we have not really had the room for him to fly solo.

Well, with at the rate he is growing as well as his baby sister Carisa, who is 3 years older, it is becoming more difficult for them to share a room. 

So this weekend we will be shuffling kids around.  This is exciting for some of our kids and upsetting for others.  It also brings with it a lot of work.  Especially since I have been in declutter mode.  If I haven't used it then I don't need it.  Needless to say the garage sale pile is growing fast.  I can not have it soon enough really.  I just keep finding more and more stuff that we don't need. 

So starting on Saturday my cute little boy will have a room of his own.  This means that I have to put three girls in one room, but I think it will be a good move as soon as they are all used to it.  It is going to be tight, but I know they can do it.  I just hope we (Chris and Me) survive the first week.

What is it that is so great about simplifying your life and your home? 
It feels so liberating, I love it.

In the past week I have clear out and re-purposed so much stuff.  It is almost like living in a new house.
Luckily the garage sale date is set and the proceeds are spoken for.  The kids are thrilled since mom said they can have a bake sale and lemonade stand.

The Winds of Change!

The Winds of Change have come to the Fox home.  We are very grateful that these changes are of the positive nature. 

Changes (in no particular order)

#1)   Chris was offered a job working with the Pinal County Attorney’s office.  YAY!  He accepted and started on, Monday, June 27.  We survived his first week.

#2)  Our oldest child is now 16, still without her license at the moment, but as soon as she masters driving daddy’s car (it is a standard transmission) she will be on her way I am sure.  Please pray for my nerves  and for her safety.

#3)  College graduations are right around the corner.  Chris has submitted for his graduation, if he keeps it up he will be graduating Summa Cum Laude,  with a Bachelor’s in Social Justice and Political Inquiry (minor). I am so proud of him!!!  I am one class away from two Associates degrees and will graduate in December.  I needed a break!

#4)  My baby boy is SIX!!!!!!  It seems like it was only a few days ago I was holding that precious little bundle in my arms.  Now, I can barely hold him at all.  Here is what he thinks about being such a big boy.  And I quote…

“Mom, Carisa is your real baby, not me.”

"I love you, Mom, but I just like being with Daddy more than you.”

“Mommy, you are number five on my list.” (the list is his pretty girl list, at least he is honest)

Unfortunately, he is still a mama’s boy, as soon as my real baby (Carisa) is on my lap, he is sure to come back and take back his claim to it. While Carisa is sure to remind him that he stole mommy from her.  I can feel the love.  He is a typical male he loves me when it is convenient for him, but who can blame him he does have 5 other moms.

#5) Desperate times call for desperate measures:  So I am decluttering my home and selling almost everything that has been sitting collecting dust for 6 months or more.  I think my kids are a bit nervous that they could be for sale in the near future.  The garage is filling up fast.  Why does it have to be 100 million degrees outside?  I could be having a garage sale right now.  Thank you for Craigslist.

#6)  I am planning to launch my very own, very secret home-based business very soon.  I am super excited about this new venture in my life.  The best part about it is that I am able to start this business with my daughters.

Happy New Year From the Foxden!

Happy New Year from the Foxes!!!!!



Well as another year begins I remember my good intentions to send out a Christmas Card has come and gone once again.


Thank you all the family members who continually send us a card each year.


So this year has been quite an adventure for our family.


Chris and I were both in school full time this last year.  Since he was out of work we decided to take that time and finish our educations.  Chris is 9 months away from finishing his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice minoring in Political Science.  His long term hope is to work for a federal agency, but we pray for God's will for our family first.  I will be finished with my AA in Special Education in May, I will continue with my Bachelor's when Chris is finished and we find out if he will be moving us due to being hired with a federal agency, I am hoping.


The kids are growing fast, I wish I could find a way to slow them down.

Caela is 15 and a half, and is in 10th grade. She has her permit and we are all still alive. Poor thing she has to learn how to drive on the family Excursion which of course is HUGE. She is doing great in her studies and I couldn't live my life without her, she is my right hand and sometimes brain.



 

Cori is 14.  She is an amazing artist and young lady.  She is in 9th grade this year. She is also a great student and a great help to me. I call her my left hand and sometimes brain. Considering I have been in school full time, homeschooling and keeping up with daily mom work there is no way I could do it without these two most wonderful young women that God has blessed us with.

 Caesi is 11 and has passed up her sisters in the height department and is now our tallest child.  She is well on her way to following in her two older sisters footsteps to become a great young lady as well.  She is in 6th grade this year and can't wait to be part of the teen group. She is working hard at school and at play still.  She does an excellent job and keeping track of her little brother running around outside.

Codee is 10 and is tyring to grow up too fast.  It is hard for her to walk in the shadow of her three big sisters.  However, she is well on her way to becoming just like them.  She is in 5th grade and working very hard at school. We can't wait to see what her talents are and how we can help direct her to become the women that God wants her to be.











 

Carisa is 8 and is the princess of our little clan.  She can be found somewhere in the house with a princess costume on, dressing her cat Sassy.  She loves animals and wants all of them as well.  She has a heart of gold and frequently brings our family to tears by reminding us of why God gave us each other.  She is in 3rd grade this year. She is learning fast, but seems in no hurry to grow up.












Gabe is 5 and is my little man and daddy's little buddy.  He is in kindergarten this year and loves it most of the time.  He very rarely lets me leave the house alone because I need to have a boy with me to protect me. Thank goodness he has not asked to bring his new BB gun with us to protect me. He adds such a unique dynamic to our family and has me saying things that I never thought I would say in my life.




 

So far this year has started out with a bang.  God has provided for us once again as he always does. Chris was rehired for the title company that laid him off almost two years ago.  We are very grateful that He has provided for us once again and always in His perfect time.  So it looks like this year will be another great adventure.  I will be pretty much on my own holding down the fort as he works full time and takes 6 classes this semester.  Thank goodness I have my girls and a husband willing to sacrifice so much for our family.  We thank and praise God for his goodness and provisions this last year and can't wait to see what He has in store for us this year.  We know it will be great.

God Bless,

The Foxes

Chris, Gina, Caela, Cori, Caesi, Codee, Carisa, and Gabe