The Time is Counting Down!

We are almost there. I can taste it. I can imagine it. I just don't see how it's all going to come together yet. Can you say freaking out? I have a full day to pack tomorrow. A garage sale for part of Saturday because Nick is determined that we have one so he doesn't have to move all the stuff we don't need anymore. Church (where we are leading worship!) and staff meeting Sunday. Then, at 4 or so, more time to pack and hopefully start moving some stuff. MONDAY!!!! Moving day. Probably all day.
We're moving 10 minutes away, it shouldn't be this big a deal. But, with the extensive work that had to (and still does) be done on the house that will soon be home, it's been a VERY BIG DEAL! As it is, we're probably going to live without flooring in our bedrooms and stairs for a while. I'm tough, I'll deal. The trick will be convincing the kids to wear shoes. I'm absolutely loving the look of the house with new paint going up and clean cabinets and bathrooms. It's truly going to be a place to feel at home, at peace.
In the meantime, though, there's very little PEACE to go around. The kids, the pets, the parents (yes, that includes me) are very wound up with all the craziness. Nick and I both had dreams with our mothers last night (both mothers in both dreams), how I wish they were here. My mom is the most awesome, no-nonsense packer ever. A veteran of Air Force moves, she knows how to buckle down, focus, and GET IT DONE! My mother-in-law is great at organizing and creating a lovely space with limited resources. I'm hoping to channel them both in the next week or two to get through this.
Plus, Sabina my baby is turning 3 on Tuesday. How can we celebrate, make it special, in the midst of chaos? I'm not sure yet, but somehow we will. Thankfully, present shopping was done months ago!
Please, keep us in your prayers during this tumultuous time. Thank you!
I'll end with a favorite quote: "Can we do it? YES WE CAN! (uh, yeah, I think so...)" Thanks Bob!

Alex's Lemonade Stand- Canuso Kids Kick Cancer!

So, this is the story of how I got involved with Alex's Lemonade Stand foundation.
I get the American Greeting emails (not exactly sure why I'm on their list, but it's fun to look over sometimes) and they had a little advertisement at the bottom. Strawberry Shortcake supports Alex's Lemonade Stand.

 

I clicked on the ad to find out that Strawberry Shortcake was donating $50 toward the foundation for every person who signed up to do a stand during September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I thought, well, I can definitely sign up! Last fall, our 10-year-old cousin Coleman fought and won his battle with lymphoma. We prayed as a family for him, got a lot of OHOPers praying for him, a lot of my wonderful blog readers were interceding for him as well! We lifted him up in the Children's Prayer Watch and were rewarded with his complete healing! Our sale was done in honor of him, and it really made it personal for us. The kids and I ended up doing 2 sales at OHOP: 1 before the monthly Awaken the Bride conference, and the other today just after service. We managed to raise just over $100! Praise God! The kids were very excited, despite their goal of $500 not being reached. If you would like to make a donation toward this goal, go to our page: http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/69151 

At any rate, we had a great time doing this and it made us feel great too! We'll probably make it an annual tradition for our family. I put together a little video from the footage Nick took of our sale last Friday. Hope you enjoy it!

Moving and Makeover

Well, things have been really busy around here with the packing and the homegrown home-makeover going on. I'm stealing a few minutes here to let you know, yes, I am alive. Yes, I am blessed abundantly. Yes, I found a refrigerator today that we could afford (barely.) All exciting stuff! Click over to our family blog to see what's going on! Here is the video from last Saturday:

Please Pray!

Okay, things are getting serious. We are coming up against some opposition on the house and we're pressing in today in prayer. Please join us. We need appliances, air conditioner, flooring, front door, and some furniture. And lots and lots of help and grace. Just spend 90 seconds right now to pray for us and our needs. Thank you sooo much!

The "New" House

We are getting blessed in a big way. We have the chance to be homeowners by the glory of God.
However, this is a distressed property that needs a LOT of work. Nick & I started another blog for our family to chronicle the story of our home. I know a few of you have made your way over there already! It's http://canusofamily.blogspot.com/ and Nick's already posted a couple times. I was working on this blog today, but I'll put in some work over there tomorrow so it's not so generic. ;)
I just wanted to put the "before" video of the house over here too. It just gives you a taste of what we're up against next weekend when the work begins.

Baby Picture Sunday- BOOM!

4th of July, this year, the 2-year-old Sabina and her same-age 2nd cousin making their own fireworks. I guess that dry pasture grass is just as good as the roman candles when you're a toddler. They did it over and over, with appropriate sound effects. BOOM!
(And, dontcha just love the red dirt stained jeans and strawberry pop mustaches? Too precious.)

Signs & Wonders Children's Conference

This weekend was the 4th annual Signs & Wonders conference at the Orlando House of Prayer. Since I volunteer with the Children's Equipping Center at OHOP, I was blessed to take my 2 big girls - Cecelia & Keliah - for the weekend. It was an incredible time of training the children up to walk in obedience, POWER, and authority! This morning at OHOP's Sunday service, the children attending the conference got a chance to pray for the sick. Those first 2 girls in the picture are my daughters, the Prayer Warriors!
I've already heard confirmation of a healing that took place today, praise Jesus!
Thank you, Lenny LaGuardia for pouring into this generation; it was a great prayer boot camp!

Blessings,

Dixie