Surprise, Surprise.

You might remember that post from last summer, the one where I gloated over how proud I was and still am of Sister for working her little tail off to buy Kaya?

She's done it again, folks! 

Only this time, her sights were set on Felicity. If you get the American Girl Doll catalog, you might know that Felicity was "retiring" after Christmas. Which meant limited quantities and one concerned six year old.

A few days after Christmas, she had the last needed dollar in hand. She worried Felicity would be gone. The Engineer told her she'd done all she could do and not to worry about what was out of her control. She had no idea we'd ordered and hidden Felicity several months earlier.

Once home from Augusta, we called her downstairs. The Engineer reminded her of the long conversation they'd had about doing what she could do and not worrying about the rest. We counted out every last dollar. And then I went for the hidden box.

The look on her face was priceless. She was breathless. So surprised. So excited. And I, well I was giddy. Straight up giddy. Couldn't wipe the smile from my face giddy! 

We've been enjoying a lot of this. Actually, Little Bit and I have been enjoying a lot of this. But we'll make oatmeal lovers out of the rest of 'em! These are steel cut oats. I accidentally bought the "ready in five minutes" quick cook version. Still, they are delicious. So much better than regular ol' instant oatmeal. I cook them according to the package directions, slice a banana very thinly, add some milk, a dash of brown sugar, and top with almonds. Divine, I say. Try it. Bet you'll like it.

Meet "old faithful." She faithfully served my MIL's friend's mother for many, many years and then she came to live with us. She has served us well and I have loved her dearly. However, the last few months she's been giving me fits. Small explosions of the flame type. The kind that, when I open the oven door, a giant flame blasts out and climbs up my arms, or most recently, that burn the loose wispies around my face and make my eye lids sting, leaving the stench of burning hair.

And so a few Saturdays ago The Engineer informed me we weren't cooking another thing on that stove. The plan? To find the cheapest replacement possible at Lowes or Home Depot. 

This pained me greatly. I hate to replace something unless I can replace it with what I really want. And what I really want isn't in the game plan right now. So I pleaded for a quick look on craigslist. Perhaps we could find something for the same price as the lowest end model at Lowes, but a smidge nicer?

God is good. All the time. And this time, He provided so much more lavishly than I'd dreamed.

Look a little closer.

That's FIVE burners!!! I've already employed all five at once. It is WONDERFUL. And, the broiler - it works!!! This is the first time in my marriage - in NINE years - that I have had a broiler that works!!! I am so thankful!

Never mind the fact that we worked out a verbal contract over the phone with a woman who had already moved out of town...whose sister was "watching the house" - let me translate - is living in the house. And is crazy,  like medicated crazy, and we had to deal with crazy sister and a SHERIFF for the transaction - crazy sister who accused me of trying to burn the house down and then turned and was sweet as sweet could be to our children and then turned back on us and um, wasn't. So. Sweet. Crazy sister whose sane sister had called earlier and told The Engineer that crazy sister really was crazy and to expect it. The Engineer forgot to tell me. Oops. Careful when you deal with craigslist, y'all.

So again, I stand in awe over the ways God provides. 

Sister has mastered her letter clusters (ue for glue, ew for new, etc.) We played "duck pond" to make sure. I got it set up and Sister said, "Guess Uncle LOML knows it's Duck Season!" Ha!

We're praying through some big decisions about school for next year. As we talk and pray and offer to the Lord what is on our hearts, seeking His guidance, I can't help but look to the heavens, from where my help comes, and thank Him for a sweet and peaceful morning with three wonderful children. 

And "Miss Spoonful," thanks for the inspiration!!! I believe The Engineer's words were, "Oh. Nice."

Happy Monday!