"Terrible,Horrible, No Good, Very Bad' Weekend....

I actually LOVE the Book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,Very Bad Day! It is so funny to read of all the "awful" things that go wrong in the world of a 5 year old. Oh to be a kid again, because those problems seem SO little compared to life today.
Well, I believe that we all have our moments like a day that Alexander had.  However, I do believe that in life situations-God wants us to learn something. Even if it is moments that we do not ever want to repeat.
Well, last weekend was an "Alexander" weekend for us. Definite emotions were- "No Good, Very Bad!"
I miss our family and wish we lived closer, especially after the rough road we were on. Sometimes, I wish they were just a 5 minute ride away. But thank goodness for great friends reaching out we made it through!

Parker has been recovering from an ear infection.When he is ill-we might as well, all be ill! It took 2 antibiotics to knock it out of him.

 Friday, we were headed to see a friend and he screamed and threw his sippy cup at me in the van.(Still not sure why he was SO angry); I was completely shocked at the flying object, and  jerked the van, causing me to hit a mailbox! Not a pretty moment~I sscratched up the mirror and chipped the outer exterior, and  busted a neighbor's mailbox! Thankfully I was only going about 20 miles (but still-so humbling and so upsetting that I harmed a neighbor's mailbox). If my son had not been upset would it have happened? Probably not. -However,I can't change the past. Going forward we no longer have a sippy cup while mommy drives. I stopped and  talked to the neighbors and told them we will take care of it. (Parker got punished later for his inappropriate behavior.) Mike felt so sympathetic to the rough week, he came home with a card for me. He promised to take me shopping later in the weekend and also get me a be-lated anniversary gift! It was so encouraging after the rough day I had. The rest of the weekend was hopefully going to be a fun one and clearly nothing could go worse! 

Haha....
Saturday, I took Parker, to Kayleigh's birthday party. He was still really sick, and didn't enjoy it to the fullest. We left early and headed home. Mike and I had date day with our small group! After the rough day on Friday, little did I know 2 months prior when we planned it, how much I/we would really need "Date Day!"

We had a sitter for the day, and were headed to a local lake to go boating and tubing. It was indeed SO relaxing and SO much fun. All good things have to end but just before we wrapped up the night we took one last boat ride and did some tubing. This time I got to tube with Rebekah! I handed my wedding rings to Mike and got in the lake. Let's just say only one of my rings made it back on my finger. My anniversary band (that matches my set-I got it for our 5th anniversary). The other 2 that were soddered together, never made it back on my finger. I will let you imagine the heartache and shock when we could not find them! Mike is VERY responsible and it was an innocent mistake! We think they are in the lake. I am not upset with Mike. I am sad at the sentimental value and loss.  Now where do we go from here? We called insurance Monday and checked  on our policy.
We have a little coverage on it-but not the full value. So, we are in the midst of waiting to hear back from our insurance company.
Our 10th anniversary is 2 years away and Mike was planning on upgrading my set-so now I am cherishing my anniversary band and looking forward to the next set. However, it is a stab in the heart that my original set is gone. I know that it is an earthly possession-but it is something very special to me. Mike feels horrible about the whole event and I don't think he will ever be able to forgive himself. I already have forgiven him and I know he will make it up to me in a couple of years!
In the bigger picture-yes, we lost my rings. But we still have each other, we have 2 healthy boys, Mike has a great job, we have a roof over our heads and a God who never changes.
Thankfully when we were out boating no one got injured and we still have each other! It is easy to type all this-but sometimes when I look at my missing wedding ring, I get tears. Nothing can replace the ring that a woman says "YES" to, on the day the man of your dreams proposes! Oh the memories I have.~I am thankful I still have a photo of that ring. We now know that when I get my next wedding ring, we have to have a Personal Article Policy just on my ring and then we can get FULL coverage. If you don't have a Personal Article Policy or private insurance on your diamond-get it for your wedding ring!
Trying to move on with life and praying that God will at least have insurance cover what we are suppose to get. We will just put it away till our 10th anniversary! And YES-I will get a nice upgrade! Thanks to many of you on that little tip of advice...but in the bigger picture it doesn't matter to me. I am still sad and trying to make the best of all that God has blessed me with even in the tough times.
Monday morning the battery on my van was dead, but thankfully-we got a full warranty with Toyota so I called the Roadside Assistance. They came and jumped it! I am SO glad that the battery did not die when I was out in public somewhere with the boys!
After the long, discouraging weekend, my dad reminded me of Philippians 4: 4-7 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I think Little Alexander, just needed a good reminder that Jesus is always near and he just needed a little extra prayer. I am forever grateful for this comfort that I can find daily and most of all during rough weeks like last week.
 I begged many for prayers this past weekend and we appreciate ALL the love and prayers!
Tuesday -Thursday have been uneventful GOOD, days! We are really clinging to the uneventful days right now.
Here are some photos of the FUN times we had with NeNe and Papa.
 In one way ~I am glad none of this occurred while they were here. It would have really put a damper on their visit.
So, we are reflecting on some of the fun we had and pressing on and praying that we don't have another"Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad" weekend again or for a LONG, LONG time!
Jenn :)

(Somebody was sad that NeNe and Papa were leaving...)

We celebrated Papa's birthday (but Mike and Parker love to call him "Cowboy")

Parker giving Ne Ne her Mother's Day present.

We had an apron made and handstamped the boys prints on it.

(Eventually all the Riese Grandkids will have their hands printed on it.)

Hmm-a 6month old and handpaint???

We agreed to have all the grandkids be around 2 before working with paint on this apron~LOL

Parker checking out his new bike from NeNe and Papa

Dinner time with NeNe

Mike and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary while they were down here...

We got out to Maggiano's (and a night away) and got a free dessert entre' compliments of the restaurant!

 

We have SO much fun with NeNe and Papa.

We miss you and can't wait to see you again!

Love,

Mike, Jenn Parker and Kaden :)