Wednesday night, Steve's car died. Or rather the repairs needed are too costly for the age and mileage of the vehicle, at least for the amount of driving he does for work. The best option is likely a used, rebuilt engine to replace the one in there. Ugh. And he puts on about 1000 miles a week. Not a reliable option for the breadwinner in our family.
We worked really hard to stay calm, have faith and see what God allowed to pan out.
Easier said than done, obviously.
He was able to work from home for Thursday and Friday, which was a huge blessing as Friday was Ben's birthday. We ended up looking at used cars at a dealership - hooked up by an adoptive dad who works there to a salesman who is himself adopted! It is the same place we bought Steve's last car, which we definitely got our money's worth from. And we had very few problems, nothing beyond what you might expect given the amount of work the car did! So, it seemed reasonable to go back.
We hate the thought of a car payment, but we know that it will be for a very limited time, likely just until March. I would say that the only benefit we will see from the health care bill is the part about the adoption tax credit. But, to know that we will only make a couple payments and then pay off the car really makes the thought much easier to handle.
So, we now glance out in to our driveway and think that someone is here, until we realize that it is Steve's new car! A 2009 Nissan Versa. Nice little car, very low miles, great gas mileage, and new enough that we can rest easy knowing that he is not likely to have troubles getting to and from his job, which is very important to our family!
The kids are thrilled, love the "cool" car that Dad now drives. I just refuse to think about how much it cost! Ugh. But it is priceless for Steve to get to work!
So, yesterday, prior to picking up the "new" car, I took the kids to a ceramics shop. We have been meaning to go for ages, the kids want to learn how and then have another item to show for 4H at the county fair. But we have never gotten around to it, sadly. So, I decided to make an appointment, put it on the calendar and get us there this year. We need some new things to do during cold weather when we get cooped up a bit more.
Anyway, we make up a class ourselves, so I called and explained that we wanted to learn it from the ground up, so we really knew all about the process and how things are done. Not to mention that on freecycle last year we acquired ceramic molds (still am not sure how we can use those, but I intend to learn!) and some greenware for ceramics!
Well, we had a blast! The very nice lady there took us around, explained that we should select something simpler to start with, but she would help us find the right pieces as well as something we liked. She showed us the difference between greenware and bisque, and then helped us choose pieces that weren't too difficult for our experience. Then once all of us (eight kids and me) had picked a piece, she got out the tools and showed us how to clean the seams off, and get it well done. We really had fun. Now our items are being fired, and on Monday we get to go back and start the glazing processes. We haven't learned too much about that yet, I know that there are many, many options. Everyone is very excited to get that part going! Faith has told me about ten times that she is so excited for Monday!
Well, with the rain, we pulled out the greenware that we had gotten from freecycle and I and various of the kids throughout the day have worked on that. Our piano bench is still a bit dusty from our work, but will be all wiped down soon. We completed a complete nativity set, plus extra pieces - a bunch of sheep - the kids thought a full herd was appropriate. There was even an R2 D2, a couple cute mice, a couple smurfs (hee, hee!), a vase and a bunch of balls for Christmas ornaments. Now we have an entire box carefully boxed up to come with us on Monday, where it will get fired so we can do the glazing another time. The kids already have other items that they saw that they want to do, so it appears we have a new hobby going at our house!
It is nostalgic to me for several reasons. My grandmother did lots of ceramics when I was growing up and I have pieces throughout my house that she did for me over the years. She passed away more than a year ago, and I miss her. I bet she is just giggling at watching her granddaughter and her great-grandkids enjoying the same hobby she loved for so long. And I had done a little when I was in middle school (a billion years ago) and really loved. So, it means a bit more to me, maybe.
And to follow up on our last post, thank you everyone who ordered for our fundraiser! We raised $225 towards our fees at Bethany Christian Services for another adoption. I love the pendants so much, and friends have showed me some that they bought and they are so happy with them! That is such a great thing - a win for everyone all around.
With the colder weather (and sitting through more play practices) I am working on more knitting projects - some for Christmas if I can get them figured out, and finishing up the granny square afghan that I started when we were expecting our little guy last spring. I still cannot take down the crib we put up for him, and still have his photo in the crib in a really nice frame that says "family". Some days it seems surreal, and some days it just is something that has happened. I find myself wondering what he might be doing now had he lived. He would have been about seven months old now. I just cannot imagine.
And now it is just hard to wait to be needed again. But, I have decided to finish up the blanket, and see what God wants to do with it. If it will wrap around a baby of ours, or if it will wrap around some other baby. I am sure that God will make it clear.
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
