In another area of the Lord’s provision, one of Mark’s co-workers had a spare car and allowed Mark to borrow it until he got another one.

We were quite surprised when we walked on to several lots, offered a set amount of cash and told that they couldn’t help us.  No one was really willing to help us when we were paying cash.  It became the same, “Well, if you finance, I can get you one for this amount of money.”  We had both determined to not go in to debt to purchase a car.

So, we were left on our own to search.  By the way, there are a ton of scams on Craigslist so ya’ll be careful when searching for a car there.  Big time scams.  The Lord protected us from those as well.

Mark finally found a car after about two weeks of looking and after having a friend who used to be a mechanic check it out.  He was sold.

Now, here’s the thing.  We were paying cash.  It was a Saturday when Mark decided to purchase it.  We do not use a brick and mortar bank (it’s an online bank).  There was no where to go to take out a money order and our bank only allowed a certain amount out at a time.  So, Mark went to the bank, dutifully, for several days, put some money down with the dealer and eventually, we had our car.  We found out later that our nontraditional bank will overnight cashier’s checks for a small fee (well, small compared to the cost of a car).

So, here is the car the Lord has blessed us with!

It’s a Ford Taurus.  I could talk about how cute it is and how great it runs and all that…but that’s boring.  The main reason I wanted to post this was to have a record of how the Lord has provided for us in so many ways…especially in March!

 The kids were able to do a gem dig outside for a very good price.  We got all sorts of gems and minerals.

They worked very hard to find them.  We were introduced to the Gem & Mineral clubs around here and are hoping to one day participate as a family.  I love seeing my kids find something they enjoy and pursue it!

 I made Zoe and Ceili Rain’s Easter dresses.  The girl standing by Zoe has a skirt out of the same fabric.  Totally not planned.  Miss S. joined the picture because she matched!  I think they all look beautiful!

Look closely, that’s Liam.  In a big Magnolia tree.  Zoe got higher than that but I was more concerned with her getting down in one piece (she slipped climbing down ya’ll) than I was about snapping a picture.

Ceili Rain’s birthday fell during the week.  That meant she had to wait a few days until her actual party.  We decided to make the day special by loading up and going to the zoo.  It just so happened that that day was the day our Mother’s Helper was scheduled to come.  I asked if she wanted to venture out with us and she willingly agreed!  Brave soul.

 Then we had to see the stinky elephants.  Bryant has a stuffed elephant for his cuddly (of course Ceili Rain’s is a giraffe…do you see the theme?).  Bryant was thrilled beyond belief.  He was very intense watching them.

 One of my personal faves is the Kangaroo Walkabout.  The kangaroos are right there by you!  This time an amazing docent was there with a kangaroo hide to touch.  Liam was the only one who was willing to touch it for awhile.  Surprisingly, no one has a stuffed kangaroo for their cuddly.

As a reward for surviving the zoo with seven “monkeys” and a mama bear, we rewarded Miss C with funnel cake.  She was very thrilled!

Contrary to popular homeschooling myths, we don’t do school in our pjs.  All the time.  We do occasionally have pj days but those are a lot less than our dress in real clothes days.  So, when PJ Day at Bruster’s rolls around, it’s quite the celebration.

Especially when it falls on your youngest’s birthday!

Our neighbors ventured out with us (that’s the cause for extra people in the picture).  As a bonus, Grandmere and Papa went with us too.  They were with us at the last PJ Day but that was a couple of years ago. Sorry, missed getting pictures of them.  But they were there!

My children have been in a sharing mood this month.  I wish I could say that sharing revolved around toys.  Alas, it didn’t.  It revolved around germs.  Bryant started with a virus that included a cough and a fever.  He had it a few days and then Zoe got it.  Then Ceili Rain.  Then Ace.  Then Liam.  Then Josiah.  Then Malachi.  Malachi and Ceili Rain kept it the longest which meant a trip to the doctor.  There we discovered that Ceili Rain had pneumonia, an ear infection, and wheezing.  Malachi was just diagnosed with wheezing but the doctor thought that he might actually have pneumonia but it was hard to tell due to the wheezing.

Mark, who has an immune system made of steel just had a cold.  And I.  Well, I had it for three days and it included a fever and the lovely cough.  And it was all during testing for Zoe, Ace, and Liam.  Still working on recovering from that one.

And that.  That is the reason I did not blog last week.  Without further adieu…here’s a smathering of pictures to make up for my week long absence.

 We live in a neighborhood with new construction.  We’ve learned that with new construction comes scheduled power outtages.  This power outtage meant no television time before nap, so we made up our own “entertainment”  using the hand puppets.  These stories were quiet interesting.  And that’s all I have to say about that.

 We purchased several discounted cooupons for frozen yogurt.  When the expiration date was looming we decided to haul the kids for yogurt dates.  It’s been over a month and I am still full from all that yogurt.  Apparently, so was Ceili Rain.

 The week before Malachi’s birthday he got a virus.  I’m guessing it was roseola again because he broke out in a rash the day of his birthday but had no fever.  One of the benefits to fevers…cuddles and rocking my babies.

And the grand finale…Look who is now apart of the Upright Club?