Being a parent is hard - it is a roller coaster of emotions.
One minute you are laughing and joking. The next you are wiping a kids tears. Or breaking up a fight. Making a lesson out of the events that just happened.
But you are pretty much always tired!
I have been a mom for just over 3 years now. There are many times when I have questioned if I am doing the right thing for me or the kids. But I am sure that has to be normal. Every mom (or dad) questions what they are doing and how they are raising their kids at one point or another.
Some moments are easy. They just flow. Things go good for a while, then it seems like everything just falls apart at the same time. Most of the time you are just left with your head spinning trying to grasp the situation at hand and how it went from laughs and giggles to smacking, yelling and crying.
Usually there is no way to figure out how it goes from good to bad and back again!
There have been numerous times where I have had to remind myself that I am not their friend, I am their mom. I am responsible for how they grow up and how they act in the years to come... Which means that when I say "you will finish your food or you will get nothing else at all the rest of the evening" - I have to stand by what I say. I cannot go back on it. Even though it is hard. I struggle with feeling like a mean mom - or if I am doing what is right for my kids.
One struggle I have is how to rationalize with a 3 year old... Like just today she started crying and screaming about how she wanted to go home. Which thoroughly confused me since we were home. We had not left yet today. So I told her, "Baby, we are home..." in the most calmest tone I could have with her. But that did not calm her down. At all. She cried and cried -- while in her own room -- about how she wanted to go home. I really did not know what to say to her. And just as soon as she broke down, she was fine again. Which left me so confused and still trying to figure out what happened.
Which brings me back to my point.
Being a parent is hard. You have a roller coaster of emotions. You second guess yourself all the time. You rationalize your parenting style and judge other parents for their decisions.
There will never be a perfect parent. There will never be a perfect way to raise a kid.
However - there are a lot of wrong ways to raise a kid. A lot of ways that people are messing up our future by not disciplining their children and letting them run the household. They do not give rules or expectations to their children. And let them tell them what they want to do all the time. (Which, yes, there is a time and place for that - but it should not be how the house is run...)
So let's just remember that we are all trying. We are all doing what we can to keep our children safe and happy. So do what you can to raise your children to the best you can. But remember, you are not your child's best friend! You are their parent. You set the rules. Not the kid. You tell the kids what they can or cannot do. You do not ask them what they want to do.
Sincerely,
A Mom Trying To Do Her Best
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Political Post --- You have been warned!
Well, it is official - we have elected a new president for our country as of last night. Right now, there is a lot of talk about the election and how things played out. But let me take it back a bit here...
The last eight years we have had the same president running our country... Now, just to set the record straight, I did not vote for him either time he ran. Maybe that is part of why I was not fond of him, but maybe there is more.
See, when he was voted in, history was made in this country by electing the first black man ever to be the president of our country. So for many, this was a racial victory. For others, they just thought that he was a better candidate. And over the eight years there was a lot of contention between people who agreed with him and his policies, and those who did not. There was a lot continually going on and in a way it split the country into two separate, if not three separate, parts.
When we entered into an election year - many were excited. Okay, I think most of the country was excited for one reason or another. With new leadership there always comes new policies and new ideas of what is best for the country.
This election came down to Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton...
One a business man who has never been involved in any politics but has built his empire off hard work. Someone who could not be bought by anyone and even made his campaign on the fact that he truly just wanted to make America a great place to live again. If elected, he would be the first president in a long time that was not what has become an office of "career politicians".
Our other candidate, if elected, would be the first woman president in our country. (So again, more history to be made in our country...maybe.) She is the wife of a former president as well as been involved in politics in DC for years since. Even though, one would think that this would make a good candidate for president, in this case, I do not feel like it would. She was constantly under investigation for one thing or another, and very careless in her talks and the way she handled classified materials.
The problem is - to many, there really was no good choice for who should run this country....however that is where it gets slightly tricky. Or maybe not.
For me, I personally like to see someone running our country who has served in the military since that is a big deal. After 15 plus years in military service, I like to know that my Commander in Chief understands what I have been through and what it is like to serve in the military. But this year, we did not have an option that has served in the military. So therefore, there had to be other things to look at for who to vote for.
Which brings me to why I chose to vote for Donald Trump. My vote may not be the popular one, and honestly I did not even have to tell you who got my vote. But I did not agree with majority of what Hillary Clinton stood for in her campaign. While I do not think that Mr. Trump is perfect (let's be honest, none of us are! We have all made mistakes in our lives and he chose to not run and hide from his, but let everyone scrutinize him for them while still maintaining class... oh wait, I got off on a tangent... sorry!)... I felt that he was the best person for the job. That is it. Plain and simple.
**Side note - it is now Thursday night... I had to take my daughter to the ER yesterday for a fever of 104.8 so I am just now getting back to finishing this blog...**
I know that there are a lot of people who do not think that Mr. Trump will be good for our country... There are a lot of people (me included) that do not feel that Mr. Obama was good for our country... And that is okay! Yes, I said it is okay to feel like he is not the person for the job. I do not feel that we should criticize each other for our own thoughts and opinions. No one can tell me how to feel or what to think. That is all my own. I have to make the decisions for myself.
Which brings me to another point. I have read tons and tons of messages today about people who are upset that Mr. Trump won - but they are doing things that are very un-American about it. Burning the American flag has nothing to do with who won the presidency. All it does is make you look stupid and is a slap in the face to those of us who have served this country honoring that flag (no matter who was our Commander in Chief!).
Oh and do not get me started on the kids who are in college and had to have classes and tests cancelled or have a therapy dog brought in to console them after they learned that Mr. Trump won the presidency. GET REAL! That is just a load of crap and these kids need to grow up! This is the result of a bunch of kids who were not taught how to lose! Yes, I said it. They are all given participation awards, and no one wants to hurt anyones feelings so they do not have a winner and loser in any of their sports or competitions or anything. Everyone is given a medal... Well, forgive me for saying this but we were not given medals for losing when I grew up! (Okay, well there was this one time that my soccer team had to lose 3 games to win second place but only because there were only 2 teams in the competition and we were way out played... all three games! Yes, we still played all three games even though we knew we had no chance at winning - because that is what you did!)
Needless to say, I think that no matter what side of the vote you were on... whether you wanted Mr. Trump or Hillary (or what about those hundreds of people who got up and went all the way to the polls just to write-in Harambe...you know, the dead gorilla...) or someone else to be our president... What we need to do now is what we have done every other election - CONTINUE TO PRAY!
I for one have been open and honest that I did not agree with or like pretty much anything that Mr. Obama did while he was in office as our CiC... But that does not mean that I did not pray for him and everyone in power in this country. And that is what I will continue to do even as Mr. Trump starts his transition into office.
And that is what you should do too. Let's stop fighting. Stop the hatred. Stop forming stupid hashtags about not supporting this man. Stop being stupid. And how about we all come together to embrace the way our country was formed...you know, by having a change in power every 4 or 8 years. It is not a surprise that Mr. Obama would be leaving office this January. So let's just take the time to pray for all our leadership and realize that there is a lot more important issues out there than protesting the person who was elected. If you do not like it, then get into politics and start making changes yourself. If you do not want to do that, then shut up, pray for those who are in our government and start acting like an American - one who is not entitled, but one who is grateful for this country.
Sincerely,
A white, female, Christian, republican, pro-gun, pro-life feminist
The last eight years we have had the same president running our country... Now, just to set the record straight, I did not vote for him either time he ran. Maybe that is part of why I was not fond of him, but maybe there is more.
See, when he was voted in, history was made in this country by electing the first black man ever to be the president of our country. So for many, this was a racial victory. For others, they just thought that he was a better candidate. And over the eight years there was a lot of contention between people who agreed with him and his policies, and those who did not. There was a lot continually going on and in a way it split the country into two separate, if not three separate, parts.
When we entered into an election year - many were excited. Okay, I think most of the country was excited for one reason or another. With new leadership there always comes new policies and new ideas of what is best for the country.
This election came down to Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton...
One a business man who has never been involved in any politics but has built his empire off hard work. Someone who could not be bought by anyone and even made his campaign on the fact that he truly just wanted to make America a great place to live again. If elected, he would be the first president in a long time that was not what has become an office of "career politicians".
Our other candidate, if elected, would be the first woman president in our country. (So again, more history to be made in our country...maybe.) She is the wife of a former president as well as been involved in politics in DC for years since. Even though, one would think that this would make a good candidate for president, in this case, I do not feel like it would. She was constantly under investigation for one thing or another, and very careless in her talks and the way she handled classified materials.
The problem is - to many, there really was no good choice for who should run this country....however that is where it gets slightly tricky. Or maybe not.
For me, I personally like to see someone running our country who has served in the military since that is a big deal. After 15 plus years in military service, I like to know that my Commander in Chief understands what I have been through and what it is like to serve in the military. But this year, we did not have an option that has served in the military. So therefore, there had to be other things to look at for who to vote for.
Which brings me to why I chose to vote for Donald Trump. My vote may not be the popular one, and honestly I did not even have to tell you who got my vote. But I did not agree with majority of what Hillary Clinton stood for in her campaign. While I do not think that Mr. Trump is perfect (let's be honest, none of us are! We have all made mistakes in our lives and he chose to not run and hide from his, but let everyone scrutinize him for them while still maintaining class... oh wait, I got off on a tangent... sorry!)... I felt that he was the best person for the job. That is it. Plain and simple.
**Side note - it is now Thursday night... I had to take my daughter to the ER yesterday for a fever of 104.8 so I am just now getting back to finishing this blog...**
I know that there are a lot of people who do not think that Mr. Trump will be good for our country... There are a lot of people (me included) that do not feel that Mr. Obama was good for our country... And that is okay! Yes, I said it is okay to feel like he is not the person for the job. I do not feel that we should criticize each other for our own thoughts and opinions. No one can tell me how to feel or what to think. That is all my own. I have to make the decisions for myself.
Which brings me to another point. I have read tons and tons of messages today about people who are upset that Mr. Trump won - but they are doing things that are very un-American about it. Burning the American flag has nothing to do with who won the presidency. All it does is make you look stupid and is a slap in the face to those of us who have served this country honoring that flag (no matter who was our Commander in Chief!).
Oh and do not get me started on the kids who are in college and had to have classes and tests cancelled or have a therapy dog brought in to console them after they learned that Mr. Trump won the presidency. GET REAL! That is just a load of crap and these kids need to grow up! This is the result of a bunch of kids who were not taught how to lose! Yes, I said it. They are all given participation awards, and no one wants to hurt anyones feelings so they do not have a winner and loser in any of their sports or competitions or anything. Everyone is given a medal... Well, forgive me for saying this but we were not given medals for losing when I grew up! (Okay, well there was this one time that my soccer team had to lose 3 games to win second place but only because there were only 2 teams in the competition and we were way out played... all three games! Yes, we still played all three games even though we knew we had no chance at winning - because that is what you did!)
Needless to say, I think that no matter what side of the vote you were on... whether you wanted Mr. Trump or Hillary (or what about those hundreds of people who got up and went all the way to the polls just to write-in Harambe...you know, the dead gorilla...) or someone else to be our president... What we need to do now is what we have done every other election - CONTINUE TO PRAY!
I for one have been open and honest that I did not agree with or like pretty much anything that Mr. Obama did while he was in office as our CiC... But that does not mean that I did not pray for him and everyone in power in this country. And that is what I will continue to do even as Mr. Trump starts his transition into office.
And that is what you should do too. Let's stop fighting. Stop the hatred. Stop forming stupid hashtags about not supporting this man. Stop being stupid. And how about we all come together to embrace the way our country was formed...you know, by having a change in power every 4 or 8 years. It is not a surprise that Mr. Obama would be leaving office this January. So let's just take the time to pray for all our leadership and realize that there is a lot more important issues out there than protesting the person who was elected. If you do not like it, then get into politics and start making changes yourself. If you do not want to do that, then shut up, pray for those who are in our government and start acting like an American - one who is not entitled, but one who is grateful for this country.
Sincerely,
A white, female, Christian, republican, pro-gun, pro-life feminist
Thursday, October 27, 2016
A stressed out mom....
It has been way too long since I have had a moment to sit at my computer, open up the internet and try to put any thoughts down on anything. Seems like there are times when life is just spiraling out of control.
I know I am not the only mom who feels this way. (Shoot - you do not even have to be a mom to feel this way! That is just what is the main reason for my stress...)
Now, do not get that statement wrong! I absolutely love my kids. I love being a mom. I even love being a Stay At Home Mom {SAHM}! To have every day with my girls and get to watch them grow up. I know so many parents that miss out on so much because of work and other commitments that I am beyond thankful that I get to stay home and be with my girls every day.
But my goodness do they stress me out sometimes! LoL
Let's be real moms - it is not easy being a parent. Having these little beings that we have to teach EVERYTHING to.... it is not easy! It can be very stressful. Some days I do not know if I want coffee, wine, sleep, to run away, curl up in a ball and cry, or any number of other things!
I am just speaking the truth. If you have never felt this way - please, tell me your secret because I know a ton of moms out there who want to know.
However - just when I do not think that I can handle one more fight between my girls (which, let's be honest - I did not think the arguments would start this early... C is almost 3yrs and J is just 18m... And they fight about anything and everything!)... There are moments when I get so stressed, anxious, overwhelmed... I just want to leave.
That is when it happens. You know what I am talking about moms...dads... That moment when your child walks up to you, out of no where, with no prompting & tells you they love you! Gives you a hug! Does something so beyond silly that you find yourself laughing so hard you cry, instead of cry from stress.
Yes, these little beings that we are doing our very best to raise, to make into decent human beings that the world do not mind dealing with... These little ones who can have us on the verge of loosing our cool with them one second and laughing with them the next...
They are the ones who are such a blessing in our lives. They keep us balanced. They keep life fun.
So the next time that you feel like you are about to blow up and are so stressed you do not know what way is up -- Know you are not alone. There are thousands of other parents out there who feel the same. We are all just trying to do our best with what we have. We pray that we are doing things the way God wants us to so that we are able to look back one day and realize we raised pretty good kids.
It is time we stop trying to hide the fact that we are all just one screw away from falling apart some days. Stop trying to act like we are the perfect parent. Stop trying to tell others how to raise their kids. We are all in this together. All in this circus together.
If you need someone to talk to - I am here. I have been through so much in my 3 short years being a mom! But I am by no means an expert. I know my girls, and I know them better than anyone else. But I am still learning every single day. Every day is a new adventure with them and in this wonderful life of mommy hood!
The next time you feel like you cannot take another argument, another fight, another "no".... just remember, that moment of "I love you" or a hug or something hilarious to make you laugh is right around the corner. Look for that & realize how much those kiddos love you and appreciate you doing the best you can!
I know I am not the only mom who feels this way. (Shoot - you do not even have to be a mom to feel this way! That is just what is the main reason for my stress...)
Now, do not get that statement wrong! I absolutely love my kids. I love being a mom. I even love being a Stay At Home Mom {SAHM}! To have every day with my girls and get to watch them grow up. I know so many parents that miss out on so much because of work and other commitments that I am beyond thankful that I get to stay home and be with my girls every day.
But my goodness do they stress me out sometimes! LoL
Let's be real moms - it is not easy being a parent. Having these little beings that we have to teach EVERYTHING to.... it is not easy! It can be very stressful. Some days I do not know if I want coffee, wine, sleep, to run away, curl up in a ball and cry, or any number of other things!
I am just speaking the truth. If you have never felt this way - please, tell me your secret because I know a ton of moms out there who want to know.
However - just when I do not think that I can handle one more fight between my girls (which, let's be honest - I did not think the arguments would start this early... C is almost 3yrs and J is just 18m... And they fight about anything and everything!)... There are moments when I get so stressed, anxious, overwhelmed... I just want to leave.
That is when it happens. You know what I am talking about moms...dads... That moment when your child walks up to you, out of no where, with no prompting & tells you they love you! Gives you a hug! Does something so beyond silly that you find yourself laughing so hard you cry, instead of cry from stress.
Yes, these little beings that we are doing our very best to raise, to make into decent human beings that the world do not mind dealing with... These little ones who can have us on the verge of loosing our cool with them one second and laughing with them the next...
They are the ones who are such a blessing in our lives. They keep us balanced. They keep life fun.
So the next time that you feel like you are about to blow up and are so stressed you do not know what way is up -- Know you are not alone. There are thousands of other parents out there who feel the same. We are all just trying to do our best with what we have. We pray that we are doing things the way God wants us to so that we are able to look back one day and realize we raised pretty good kids.
It is time we stop trying to hide the fact that we are all just one screw away from falling apart some days. Stop trying to act like we are the perfect parent. Stop trying to tell others how to raise their kids. We are all in this together. All in this circus together.
If you need someone to talk to - I am here. I have been through so much in my 3 short years being a mom! But I am by no means an expert. I know my girls, and I know them better than anyone else. But I am still learning every single day. Every day is a new adventure with them and in this wonderful life of mommy hood!
The next time you feel like you cannot take another argument, another fight, another "no".... just remember, that moment of "I love you" or a hug or something hilarious to make you laugh is right around the corner. Look for that & realize how much those kiddos love you and appreciate you doing the best you can!
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Sharing God
I have not taken the time to write in here for a while. Mainly because life has happened! I think we all know what I mean when I say that. It may be different for each of us, but when life happens, it happens. Things like blogging just are not a priority for a little while.
But it has given me a lot of time to think. A lot of time to reflect on things that have happened throughout the last couple of months. And even though some events have made more of an impact on my life than others, for one reason or another... As I sit back and think, they all lead back to the same type of "ah-ha" type moment for me.
There are so many times in our lives when we have to make a choice. Right? Wrong? Go left or right? Little white lie (which is just a fancy name for a big fat lie) or the truth?
See - no matter what kind of situation we are dealing with at this time, every moment is a moment to show God's Love to everyone we meet. It can be very had when you are in a hurry and cars are going 20mph UNDER the speed limit (yes - that happened just yesterday to me)... Or when you see someone after 15 years that now acts like your best friend when they didn't like you years ago.
Every moment is a moment to show Gods Love to everyone we meet.
I was reminded yesterday of this as I sat at a funeral for such an amazing woman. She was the true embodiment of living Gods Love to everyone she met. And even though I knew this already, to sit and listen for over an hour as one person after another shared this same thing about her, it was amazing to hear.
One friend talked about how now it is our time. Now it is our turn. We all know someone like this amazing lady who shares God in every aspect of their life. But there domes a time in our lives when we have to be that person to someone else.
It is not always easy. There are times when we are dealing with things but no one knows and you have to listen to them complain about something that is so minor compared to what you are dealing with. But to them - it is not minor. To them it is just as important as what you are going through.
Every opportunity we go through is a chance to share God. It is an opportunity to ensure that no one leaves without knowing who God is and where they would go if they were to take their last breath today.
I pray that I remember this and that I can share God with everyone I meet. That I can be that example to someone through how I live my life.
My challenge to you is to ensure that you are strong in your relationship with God. That you show His Love to everyone you come in contact with. That you do not let the trials of this world to get you down.
Many blessings to you as you enjoy your day....
But it has given me a lot of time to think. A lot of time to reflect on things that have happened throughout the last couple of months. And even though some events have made more of an impact on my life than others, for one reason or another... As I sit back and think, they all lead back to the same type of "ah-ha" type moment for me.
There are so many times in our lives when we have to make a choice. Right? Wrong? Go left or right? Little white lie (which is just a fancy name for a big fat lie) or the truth?
See - no matter what kind of situation we are dealing with at this time, every moment is a moment to show God's Love to everyone we meet. It can be very had when you are in a hurry and cars are going 20mph UNDER the speed limit (yes - that happened just yesterday to me)... Or when you see someone after 15 years that now acts like your best friend when they didn't like you years ago.
Every moment is a moment to show Gods Love to everyone we meet.
I was reminded yesterday of this as I sat at a funeral for such an amazing woman. She was the true embodiment of living Gods Love to everyone she met. And even though I knew this already, to sit and listen for over an hour as one person after another shared this same thing about her, it was amazing to hear.
One friend talked about how now it is our time. Now it is our turn. We all know someone like this amazing lady who shares God in every aspect of their life. But there domes a time in our lives when we have to be that person to someone else.
It is not always easy. There are times when we are dealing with things but no one knows and you have to listen to them complain about something that is so minor compared to what you are dealing with. But to them - it is not minor. To them it is just as important as what you are going through.
Every opportunity we go through is a chance to share God. It is an opportunity to ensure that no one leaves without knowing who God is and where they would go if they were to take their last breath today.
I pray that I remember this and that I can share God with everyone I meet. That I can be that example to someone through how I live my life.
My challenge to you is to ensure that you are strong in your relationship with God. That you show His Love to everyone you come in contact with. That you do not let the trials of this world to get you down.
Many blessings to you as you enjoy your day....
Saturday, July 23, 2016
SAHM, Working Mom, Wife... How do you prioritize?
If you have read any of my blogs before, you know that my primary job is a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM) to my two little girls. Caralee is 2.5 years old and Jayelle is 15 months old. They are my joy. My love. My reason for living. I finally felt complete when I became a mom. These girls have changed me in ways that I did not know needed changed. They have filled my heart with so much love that I do not know how I existed before earning the title of "Mom".
But this does not mean that I neglect every other area of my life. While these two little girls need me and need me for a lot of their well-being, it does not mean that I do not have time for anything else in my life.
I just spent 9 of the last 11 days at work. Away from my girls. Away from my husband. Away from my dogs. And while I was blessed enough to come home at night and sleep in my own bed, next to my husband, with my girls in their rooms beside mine, I was exhausted most evenings. A couple of nights I was too tired to even keep my eyes open while I was home. I found it very tough for me to switch on the "mom-mode" after leaving an 8-10 hour day at the office.
There were times when I wished I was able to just go home and snuggle my girls again. When I left for work in the mornings, Jayelle was increasingly showing her displeasure at my leaving every morning. She would wake up early just to see me before I left. Then hold tight to me when I hugged her goodbye in a way that made it tough to go out the door without crying.
I know being able to stay home with my children is a true blessing and I am very thankful that I am able to do this while my husband works outside the house. But the days that I do work it is just a constant reminder of how torn I am about having my career.
See, I love what I do. I love that I have been able to have the same career for over 15 years of my life. That I feel like I am making a difference in peoples lives through my work. But, if I were to be honest with myself (and you), I would give it up today if I had to in order to spend time with my girls if they needed me.
Yes, that is probably tough for a lot of people to understand. Even though I only typically work 3 days (in a row) a month, that still puts a strain on my family life. My husband and I have to rearrange our "normal" path of living in order to allow me to be away for a few days and continue my career. It requires a lot of love between us for me to do what I do. As well, it also requires a lot of family support in order to help me work when my husband works.
Sometimes I think about how I do have the best of both worlds in a way. I am able to be a SAHM to my little beauties, but also have a career. Each one of my jobs has me thankful that I have the other one. Thankful that I am able to "do it all" so to say.
Sometimes it is hard for moms [and dads] to make the decision to work once they have kids or to stay home with the kids. While having two incomes in the family is a true blessing and helps so much with the bills and everyday expenses of living; it can also be a true blessing to stay home with the kids while they are young.
There is a reason we have a choice though. Not one decision is right for everyone or every family. I think too often we put some moms down for working outside the home and having someone else raise the kids for the. But at the same time, we also put down the moms who stay home saying they do not do anything and just sit around the house all day and have no true meaning.
We need to learn that there is many different ways of doing things and bringing up our kids. But that has to be a decision between the parents to do what they feel is best for them and their family.
Either way, it requires sacrifices. There are times when I am too tired after a day with the girls and when my husband gets home I just want a few minutes to do nothing by myself (can we say pee alone without an audience? LoL). That requires an understanding with my husband and I to understand each others needs. He understands that I have a million things going through my mind most days trying to ensure that the girls have food daily, we all have clean clothes and sheets on our beds, we have a grocery list that eventually gets taken care of, that the dogs have food and water, we all get outside to play but have things to do inside when the temperature is too high for us.... The list could go on and on and on...
And sometimes - because of this list - my husband and I get too tired to put each other first, before the girls. It happens. No this in not the order in which God tells us to life (God, Spouse, Children), but it happens. Trust me. There is not just some magic button to push and turn off the "mom brain" to switch on the "wife brain" and be fine. It takes time. Takes relaxing. Takes understanding between my husband and I that we know this is only a season. We know that we will put each other before the children again when they are not so young and need so much attention.
There will be times when we can take a break from being parents and focus on each other more. While I would love to have dates weekly, it is just not possible. So we take advantage of the times that we do get together. Even if it is just snuggling together watching TV after putting the girls to bed. That is okay some times. It takes a lot of time, energy and support to raise children and take care of a house. Which means sometimes we do not get dates like we would like to. But that is okay!!
You have to do what works for you. If a date night is when the girls go to bed and we start a fire and sit outside just talking, then okay. No one said you have to spend money to go on a date. It can be as simple as just laying together reading. Or watching a movie. Just being together after long days. Ending the day in each others arms. Giving each other the understanding of what they have going on in their minds that may be taking priority....for a season.
Please know, I love my husband more than words can describe. And I know that he loves me like that as well. And even though it seems as though we do not even get a chance to see each other sometimes, that does not change how we feel about each other. Weeks like this past week when we are both working, someone else is watching our children and we both come home just exhausted, we have less time together to talk and interact just due to the realities of life at the time.
So understand that it is okay if you have a season where your priorities have shifted a little bit. It is okay to have a time of your mind being so consumed with the needs of your children that you and your spouse do not get that quality time together.
Never let anyone tell you that you are wrong or have your priorities mixed up - as long as it is just for a season. As long as you get back to the way things should be, you will be fine. Take those moments when you get them with your spouse. Even as a SAHM, I have to find a way to balance everything. Which is stressful in itself at times. But we can all do it. We can support each other and help each other. If we can just get to where we take the times to do things in our lives that mean the most. Then we can be successful.
There are moments in life when I focus on my children. Times when I focus on my husband. Times when I focus on my career.
And that is okay. As long as I do not let my focus stay off my husband for too long and I always have God at the top.
But this does not mean that I neglect every other area of my life. While these two little girls need me and need me for a lot of their well-being, it does not mean that I do not have time for anything else in my life.
I just spent 9 of the last 11 days at work. Away from my girls. Away from my husband. Away from my dogs. And while I was blessed enough to come home at night and sleep in my own bed, next to my husband, with my girls in their rooms beside mine, I was exhausted most evenings. A couple of nights I was too tired to even keep my eyes open while I was home. I found it very tough for me to switch on the "mom-mode" after leaving an 8-10 hour day at the office.
There were times when I wished I was able to just go home and snuggle my girls again. When I left for work in the mornings, Jayelle was increasingly showing her displeasure at my leaving every morning. She would wake up early just to see me before I left. Then hold tight to me when I hugged her goodbye in a way that made it tough to go out the door without crying.
I know being able to stay home with my children is a true blessing and I am very thankful that I am able to do this while my husband works outside the house. But the days that I do work it is just a constant reminder of how torn I am about having my career.
See, I love what I do. I love that I have been able to have the same career for over 15 years of my life. That I feel like I am making a difference in peoples lives through my work. But, if I were to be honest with myself (and you), I would give it up today if I had to in order to spend time with my girls if they needed me.
Yes, that is probably tough for a lot of people to understand. Even though I only typically work 3 days (in a row) a month, that still puts a strain on my family life. My husband and I have to rearrange our "normal" path of living in order to allow me to be away for a few days and continue my career. It requires a lot of love between us for me to do what I do. As well, it also requires a lot of family support in order to help me work when my husband works.
Sometimes I think about how I do have the best of both worlds in a way. I am able to be a SAHM to my little beauties, but also have a career. Each one of my jobs has me thankful that I have the other one. Thankful that I am able to "do it all" so to say.
Sometimes it is hard for moms [and dads] to make the decision to work once they have kids or to stay home with the kids. While having two incomes in the family is a true blessing and helps so much with the bills and everyday expenses of living; it can also be a true blessing to stay home with the kids while they are young.
There is a reason we have a choice though. Not one decision is right for everyone or every family. I think too often we put some moms down for working outside the home and having someone else raise the kids for the. But at the same time, we also put down the moms who stay home saying they do not do anything and just sit around the house all day and have no true meaning.
We need to learn that there is many different ways of doing things and bringing up our kids. But that has to be a decision between the parents to do what they feel is best for them and their family.
Either way, it requires sacrifices. There are times when I am too tired after a day with the girls and when my husband gets home I just want a few minutes to do nothing by myself (can we say pee alone without an audience? LoL). That requires an understanding with my husband and I to understand each others needs. He understands that I have a million things going through my mind most days trying to ensure that the girls have food daily, we all have clean clothes and sheets on our beds, we have a grocery list that eventually gets taken care of, that the dogs have food and water, we all get outside to play but have things to do inside when the temperature is too high for us.... The list could go on and on and on...
And sometimes - because of this list - my husband and I get too tired to put each other first, before the girls. It happens. No this in not the order in which God tells us to life (God, Spouse, Children), but it happens. Trust me. There is not just some magic button to push and turn off the "mom brain" to switch on the "wife brain" and be fine. It takes time. Takes relaxing. Takes understanding between my husband and I that we know this is only a season. We know that we will put each other before the children again when they are not so young and need so much attention.
There will be times when we can take a break from being parents and focus on each other more. While I would love to have dates weekly, it is just not possible. So we take advantage of the times that we do get together. Even if it is just snuggling together watching TV after putting the girls to bed. That is okay some times. It takes a lot of time, energy and support to raise children and take care of a house. Which means sometimes we do not get dates like we would like to. But that is okay!!
You have to do what works for you. If a date night is when the girls go to bed and we start a fire and sit outside just talking, then okay. No one said you have to spend money to go on a date. It can be as simple as just laying together reading. Or watching a movie. Just being together after long days. Ending the day in each others arms. Giving each other the understanding of what they have going on in their minds that may be taking priority....for a season.
Please know, I love my husband more than words can describe. And I know that he loves me like that as well. And even though it seems as though we do not even get a chance to see each other sometimes, that does not change how we feel about each other. Weeks like this past week when we are both working, someone else is watching our children and we both come home just exhausted, we have less time together to talk and interact just due to the realities of life at the time.
So understand that it is okay if you have a season where your priorities have shifted a little bit. It is okay to have a time of your mind being so consumed with the needs of your children that you and your spouse do not get that quality time together.
Never let anyone tell you that you are wrong or have your priorities mixed up - as long as it is just for a season. As long as you get back to the way things should be, you will be fine. Take those moments when you get them with your spouse. Even as a SAHM, I have to find a way to balance everything. Which is stressful in itself at times. But we can all do it. We can support each other and help each other. If we can just get to where we take the times to do things in our lives that mean the most. Then we can be successful.
There are moments in life when I focus on my children. Times when I focus on my husband. Times when I focus on my career.
And that is okay. As long as I do not let my focus stay off my husband for too long and I always have God at the top.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
The corruption will end...
I will be the first to admit that I do not follow politics.
I really just do not have the time to ensure I understand everything well enough to get into any conversations about it. And even though it is important to understand, it just bores me for the most part.
But every once in a while I do some reading & it quickly makes me realize why I do not get involved in politics on a regular basis. It really saddens me how far this country has come. How far from our founding fathers we have strayed. I really think that they would be so sad to see just how secular this country has come. & how God has been taken out of everything. How trusting God (or even saying His name) is spoken against & not allowed.
What really makes me think - wonder - ponder - is how can so many people be blinded by the truth? How so many Americans can think that all these corrupt activities are okay. That this crazy world is actually a good place to live. How has Satan blinded so many people to God? How is being a Christian is something no one can talk about? How have we as a society got to the place of having to be so "Politically Correct" & accommodate everyone, unless you are a Christian or talking about God.
It really saddens me that being a Christian is the minority...That my girls are growing up in a country that teaches tolerance to everyone- but Christians have to stay silent. A country that shoves your beliefs down my throat & does not allow me to have my own.
One thing is for sure - I will be voting this November. I will be making sure my voice is heard. I will show my girls that we can make a difference by doing our right as an American.
I just pray that people's eyes are opened to the truth. That they see the corruption in our country & vote to stop it. To make people accountable again for their actions.
We certainly can make America Great Again. & it starts now with prayer & Christians taking a stand.
Do not be afraid to stand up for God & His commands. You may stand alone for a few minutes but it will not last long.
I really just do not have the time to ensure I understand everything well enough to get into any conversations about it. And even though it is important to understand, it just bores me for the most part.
But every once in a while I do some reading & it quickly makes me realize why I do not get involved in politics on a regular basis. It really saddens me how far this country has come. How far from our founding fathers we have strayed. I really think that they would be so sad to see just how secular this country has come. & how God has been taken out of everything. How trusting God (or even saying His name) is spoken against & not allowed.
What really makes me think - wonder - ponder - is how can so many people be blinded by the truth? How so many Americans can think that all these corrupt activities are okay. That this crazy world is actually a good place to live. How has Satan blinded so many people to God? How is being a Christian is something no one can talk about? How have we as a society got to the place of having to be so "Politically Correct" & accommodate everyone, unless you are a Christian or talking about God.
It really saddens me that being a Christian is the minority...That my girls are growing up in a country that teaches tolerance to everyone- but Christians have to stay silent. A country that shoves your beliefs down my throat & does not allow me to have my own.
One thing is for sure - I will be voting this November. I will be making sure my voice is heard. I will show my girls that we can make a difference by doing our right as an American.
I just pray that people's eyes are opened to the truth. That they see the corruption in our country & vote to stop it. To make people accountable again for their actions.
We certainly can make America Great Again. & it starts now with prayer & Christians taking a stand.
Do not be afraid to stand up for God & His commands. You may stand alone for a few minutes but it will not last long.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Moving in...
It has been a crazy few weeks. We moved out of our house, the only house that our girls have ever known. Since our new house was not ready yet, we bunked with my parents for a couple of weeks. Then, when we finally closed on our new house, we moved in with just the girls beds, an air mattress for hubs & I, and not much else!
The first few days were interesting! We did not have much, but it was the best time. It was enjoyable to have the closeness with not a whole lot of stuff to get in the way of family time.
Moving all of our stuff was a very, very, very long day. But let me just say that we had so much help and that made things go a lot better. It was so great to see the love of so many people that were just wanting to help us, with nothing in return.
Unpacking... oh the unpacking... It is no fun! LoL One bag at a time. One box at a time.
We are not even 1/2 way through the unpacking yet. But we are making progress.
It is a little humbling to see how much junk we have accumulated over the years. There are so many people who need things, and yet we have an abundance of stuff that we just do not need.
I am so very thankful we downsized on our house size. The whole family is so much happier since we have been here. The dogs included. We have just been able to really spend so much more time together as a family, which is something we were all longing for.
Discovering the true meaning of family has been a memory that I could never explain. Every family needs to have the closeness that we have been discovering lately.
Family is around. The girls have had more family around them lately than they have since they were born. It has been truly amazing to see family more. And plan things more often to keep more family around them, and us.
So hopefully now that things have settled down some I will be able to blog more often and keep ya'll up to date on everything!
Until then, Sincerely,
A Very Happy Girl
The first few days were interesting! We did not have much, but it was the best time. It was enjoyable to have the closeness with not a whole lot of stuff to get in the way of family time.
Moving all of our stuff was a very, very, very long day. But let me just say that we had so much help and that made things go a lot better. It was so great to see the love of so many people that were just wanting to help us, with nothing in return.
Unpacking... oh the unpacking... It is no fun! LoL One bag at a time. One box at a time.
We are not even 1/2 way through the unpacking yet. But we are making progress.
It is a little humbling to see how much junk we have accumulated over the years. There are so many people who need things, and yet we have an abundance of stuff that we just do not need.
I am so very thankful we downsized on our house size. The whole family is so much happier since we have been here. The dogs included. We have just been able to really spend so much more time together as a family, which is something we were all longing for.
Discovering the true meaning of family has been a memory that I could never explain. Every family needs to have the closeness that we have been discovering lately.
Family is around. The girls have had more family around them lately than they have since they were born. It has been truly amazing to see family more. And plan things more often to keep more family around them, and us.
So hopefully now that things have settled down some I will be able to blog more often and keep ya'll up to date on everything!
Until then, Sincerely,
A Very Happy Girl
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Still trusting God
Well, it has been a while since I have taken the time to sit down and talk about anything. Not sure if anyone has missed me or not, but I wanted to let you know that I am still here.
The move is still at a stand-still. We are waiting to close and are tentatively scheduled to do so tomorrow. Then that will give us two weeks to get everything out of our old house before we are set to close on that one. Which should be good enough I would think. Maybe.
But it has taught me a lot about relaxing as much as I can. See, I have made myself just enjoy the time with my girls. Yes I still get stressed. Yes it is too much to handle some moments. Yes I still cannot wait on my husband to get home so that he can share in the parenting duties. But I have made myself relax throughout the day since there is so much about a move that you cannot control.
Somehow I have been getting less and less sleep every night though - which I am not sure how that is happening. Probably because the girls miss their beds & I miss them having their own rooms so they do not wake one another up. But this too I know is temporary and almost done. I am just so grateful that my parents have allowed us to shake up their lives for a couple weeks.
It is times like this when you really find out how strong your family is. I know that my family is not the normal family anymore (my parents are about to celebrate 38 years married!), but it is so wonderful to know that we have the love and support to get us through the trying times.
I have been thinking and wondering how others make this work if they do not have the support like we have been blessed with. It makes me realize that there will probably be a time or two in our future where we can be the help that someone else needs. That God will give us the opportunity to pay this hospitality forward to someone else.
Never stop looking for those moments when you can be that blessing that someone else needs. When you can help someone get through a tough moment in their life just as you have been helped through one yourself. I know there is a reason for everything, and hopefully this will be our last big move (since we have now done this too many times) that we have to go through...
No matter how hard the days are and how much stress there is from organizing a sell, buy and move at the same time with different realtors, inspectors, mortgage companies and requirements... I know that God has had His hand in all of this and made it go so much more smoothly than I could have ever imagined. There is no way this would be happening at the speed and rate that it is without God having it all planned out from the start.
So when things look like they are too much to handle, or they just seem to be too hard or stressful, remember to turn to God and let Him handle the aspects that are just too much for us humans to deal with. He will do a much better job at it anyway!
Sincerely,
A Mom On The Move
The move is still at a stand-still. We are waiting to close and are tentatively scheduled to do so tomorrow. Then that will give us two weeks to get everything out of our old house before we are set to close on that one. Which should be good enough I would think. Maybe.
But it has taught me a lot about relaxing as much as I can. See, I have made myself just enjoy the time with my girls. Yes I still get stressed. Yes it is too much to handle some moments. Yes I still cannot wait on my husband to get home so that he can share in the parenting duties. But I have made myself relax throughout the day since there is so much about a move that you cannot control.
Somehow I have been getting less and less sleep every night though - which I am not sure how that is happening. Probably because the girls miss their beds & I miss them having their own rooms so they do not wake one another up. But this too I know is temporary and almost done. I am just so grateful that my parents have allowed us to shake up their lives for a couple weeks.
It is times like this when you really find out how strong your family is. I know that my family is not the normal family anymore (my parents are about to celebrate 38 years married!), but it is so wonderful to know that we have the love and support to get us through the trying times.
I have been thinking and wondering how others make this work if they do not have the support like we have been blessed with. It makes me realize that there will probably be a time or two in our future where we can be the help that someone else needs. That God will give us the opportunity to pay this hospitality forward to someone else.
Never stop looking for those moments when you can be that blessing that someone else needs. When you can help someone get through a tough moment in their life just as you have been helped through one yourself. I know there is a reason for everything, and hopefully this will be our last big move (since we have now done this too many times) that we have to go through...
No matter how hard the days are and how much stress there is from organizing a sell, buy and move at the same time with different realtors, inspectors, mortgage companies and requirements... I know that God has had His hand in all of this and made it go so much more smoothly than I could have ever imagined. There is no way this would be happening at the speed and rate that it is without God having it all planned out from the start.
So when things look like they are too much to handle, or they just seem to be too hard or stressful, remember to turn to God and let Him handle the aspects that are just too much for us humans to deal with. He will do a much better job at it anyway!
Sincerely,
A Mom On The Move
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
A Temporary Home
What do you do when your life is turned upsidedown? You push through until you find your new normal! Hmmm - maybe that is too simple of an answer that does not logically work... Or maybe not. Maybe it is that simple.
Let me explain.
See, as I posted a few days ago, we have started moving. So we packed both cars full of clothes & necessities, got both dogs, both kids (plus me & hubs!), drove to my parents house... Unloaded (thanks to the help of my niece & nephew)... & set up camp.
Okay, so not really "camp" but you get the idea; right?
Now, majority of our stuff (the comforts of home) are still at our other house - the one we sold. We have our new house just sitting there, unable to get into yet (closing soon..........hopefully!), and now we have taken up residence at my parents house.
It is not easy. On any of us. Normally a house that has 2 adults and a dog now holds 4 adults, 2 young toddlers & 3 dogs! 😯 Yup. You read that all correctly!
Thankfully their house is big enough for us to not be stepping all over one another. Which is a definite blessing during this time of transition.
But now you have two families living under one roof. Two families who each have their own ways of doing things. Their own schedules & routines. Trying to combine everything they are used to into one big routine. And it is not easy. But it is what happens when you have family & they willingly help you out in your time of need.
Yes, the girls, dogs & I could have stayed at the house we sold for another few days, not seeing hubby at all during the week - but my parents graciously opened their home to us so we did not have to be separated.
That is what I mean by pushing through to find the new normal. This is only for a time. It is not a permanent change. It is just until we can get to close on our new house.
So while all of our lives have been turned upsidedown for the time being, this too shall change. Eventually we will separate our families again & get back to our own schedules & routines that each family is used to. But for now we will be grateful that we have a place to go. Somewhere the girls are comfortable going to. Somewhere they get to spend more time with family & enjoy knowing that their family is close by.
We can all do something for a season. For a temporary set of time. And I am so beyond blessed to have a family that is close to each other- allowing this move to be less stressful than it could be. Allowing our family to not be separated any more that is necessary.
So here's to family welcoming a family into their home, allowing us to disrupt their "normal" for a little bit & giving us the ability to make this needed change in our life to get out of the wilderness & back to family.
Sincerely,
A Grateful Daughter
Let me explain.
See, as I posted a few days ago, we have started moving. So we packed both cars full of clothes & necessities, got both dogs, both kids (plus me & hubs!), drove to my parents house... Unloaded (thanks to the help of my niece & nephew)... & set up camp.
Okay, so not really "camp" but you get the idea; right?
Now, majority of our stuff (the comforts of home) are still at our other house - the one we sold. We have our new house just sitting there, unable to get into yet (closing soon..........hopefully!), and now we have taken up residence at my parents house.
It is not easy. On any of us. Normally a house that has 2 adults and a dog now holds 4 adults, 2 young toddlers & 3 dogs! 😯 Yup. You read that all correctly!
Thankfully their house is big enough for us to not be stepping all over one another. Which is a definite blessing during this time of transition.
But now you have two families living under one roof. Two families who each have their own ways of doing things. Their own schedules & routines. Trying to combine everything they are used to into one big routine. And it is not easy. But it is what happens when you have family & they willingly help you out in your time of need.
Yes, the girls, dogs & I could have stayed at the house we sold for another few days, not seeing hubby at all during the week - but my parents graciously opened their home to us so we did not have to be separated.
That is what I mean by pushing through to find the new normal. This is only for a time. It is not a permanent change. It is just until we can get to close on our new house.
So while all of our lives have been turned upsidedown for the time being, this too shall change. Eventually we will separate our families again & get back to our own schedules & routines that each family is used to. But for now we will be grateful that we have a place to go. Somewhere the girls are comfortable going to. Somewhere they get to spend more time with family & enjoy knowing that their family is close by.
We can all do something for a season. For a temporary set of time. And I am so beyond blessed to have a family that is close to each other- allowing this move to be less stressful than it could be. Allowing our family to not be separated any more that is necessary.
So here's to family welcoming a family into their home, allowing us to disrupt their "normal" for a little bit & giving us the ability to make this needed change in our life to get out of the wilderness & back to family.
Sincerely,
A Grateful Daughter
Friday, May 27, 2016
Enjoying the day
Finally! Summer! Well I guess the official start to summer has not happened yet, but that is okay! We are still enjoying it like it is here.
It does make me laugh though... So many people complain all winter because it is too cold. Yet, quite often, those are the same ones complaining all summer that it is too hot. Is there no pleasing these people?
Personally- I am not a big fan of the winter. I do not like putting on so many layers just to run out & check the mail. (Which, unlike the summer, I wait until I KNOW the mail has come before I go out to see what is in there!) I would much rather be able to at least go out to the mailbox in whatever I have on for the day. [Lately that is yoga capris pants & a tank top -- my everyday outfit of choice for chasing after 2 toddlers & 3 dogs! Haha]
Why am I talking about this? Well, my kids wanted to come outside this morning. It was 9am so I figured why not. Holy Batman was it already so hot! I mean, walking from the door to my chair caused me to swear so bad! And I like summer! But this is crazy! I have had to bring my kiddos inside to cool off every hour. Was not expecting this in May after practically no winter to really speak of this year.
This is still my favorite time of year. It reminds of the Scriptures in Ecclesiastes where it talks about "to everything there is a season".... Think about it. Life is so new this time of year. Between birdie eggs hatching, flowers blooming and the sun staying out longer - it is such a wonderful time of year.
I try to not take the sounds of birds chirping or bees buzzing for granted. It is proof that there is new life. There is still the wonderment of newness happening all around us each and every day.
So take a minute. Breathe in the fresh air. Listen for the birds. Watch for the frogs. Smell the flowers. Just try and enjoy this life that we were given by our Creator. He thought of everything! And them some! There is no way any human being could have thought of all these little details of life the way God has.
Do not take it for granted. Enjoy the little things that make this day what it is.
And let us not complain about the heat - for just a few months ago, this is what everyone wanted!
Sincerely,
A Mom Enjoying This Day
It does make me laugh though... So many people complain all winter because it is too cold. Yet, quite often, those are the same ones complaining all summer that it is too hot. Is there no pleasing these people?
Personally- I am not a big fan of the winter. I do not like putting on so many layers just to run out & check the mail. (Which, unlike the summer, I wait until I KNOW the mail has come before I go out to see what is in there!) I would much rather be able to at least go out to the mailbox in whatever I have on for the day. [Lately that is yoga capris pants & a tank top -- my everyday outfit of choice for chasing after 2 toddlers & 3 dogs! Haha]
Why am I talking about this? Well, my kids wanted to come outside this morning. It was 9am so I figured why not. Holy Batman was it already so hot! I mean, walking from the door to my chair caused me to swear so bad! And I like summer! But this is crazy! I have had to bring my kiddos inside to cool off every hour. Was not expecting this in May after practically no winter to really speak of this year.
This is still my favorite time of year. It reminds of the Scriptures in Ecclesiastes where it talks about "to everything there is a season".... Think about it. Life is so new this time of year. Between birdie eggs hatching, flowers blooming and the sun staying out longer - it is such a wonderful time of year.
I try to not take the sounds of birds chirping or bees buzzing for granted. It is proof that there is new life. There is still the wonderment of newness happening all around us each and every day.
So take a minute. Breathe in the fresh air. Listen for the birds. Watch for the frogs. Smell the flowers. Just try and enjoy this life that we were given by our Creator. He thought of everything! And them some! There is no way any human being could have thought of all these little details of life the way God has.
Do not take it for granted. Enjoy the little things that make this day what it is.
And let us not complain about the heat - for just a few months ago, this is what everyone wanted!
Sincerely,
A Mom Enjoying This Day
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
The moving has started
Well, the packing has started... Such a tedious task to do, but the reason for doing it is a fun one.
When you know you are moving to a better place, it is so refreshing to start boxing things up & getting ready for the move. But it also makes you realize how much junk you have! I have been throwing tons of stuff away already & we have just barely started! I am glad for the chance to purge all the stuff we are just holding onto for no reason.
The house we are moving to is much smaller than we currently have (although thanks to the floor plan it feels so much bigger). Which leads me to want to get rid of as much as possible.
I am so thankful for family to be able to help with the process. From getting us some boxes to watching the girls so I can pack... It has been so nice to be able to get stuff done so it actually feels like we are starting to move.
But I do not want to pack too much since we are still living here. For now. Well, only a few more days. However when you have kids, there are just some things that you cannot pack up early. I think we have a good plan in mind for how we plan to tackle the actual move when the day comes. Hopefully it results in an easy move.
For now, I am just happy to have the process underway & boxes being filled up!
Sincerely,
A Mom On The Move
When you know you are moving to a better place, it is so refreshing to start boxing things up & getting ready for the move. But it also makes you realize how much junk you have! I have been throwing tons of stuff away already & we have just barely started! I am glad for the chance to purge all the stuff we are just holding onto for no reason.
The house we are moving to is much smaller than we currently have (although thanks to the floor plan it feels so much bigger). Which leads me to want to get rid of as much as possible.
I am so thankful for family to be able to help with the process. From getting us some boxes to watching the girls so I can pack... It has been so nice to be able to get stuff done so it actually feels like we are starting to move.
But I do not want to pack too much since we are still living here. For now. Well, only a few more days. However when you have kids, there are just some things that you cannot pack up early. I think we have a good plan in mind for how we plan to tackle the actual move when the day comes. Hopefully it results in an easy move.
For now, I am just happy to have the process underway & boxes being filled up!
Sincerely,
A Mom On The Move
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Book Review:: "It's Not Okay" by Andi Dorfman
Early last week I saw that there was an advertisement for Andi Dorfman's book that was coming out. Like many other stars of "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette" she too had written a book and even though I have yet to read any of the other books, I was intrigued by this one. Enough that I bought it. Yup, I waited until Tuesday and got online and instantly had it on my iPad to start reading.
I was so excited. I had watched both seasons with her and felt like she was a very strong woman, who was set in her career and looking for Mr. Right to spend her nights with. I knew that she had broken up with Josh, whom she chose as her final suitor at the end. He even proposed to her! But, I knew that by the time the book came out, they were no longer a couple.
So when I saw the book, I thought "oh great - here are her behind the scenes information of what happened" which led me to purchase the book.
Boy oh boy was I wrong! WoW!
First of all, please forgive me for this Andi, but how did you ever graduate from Law School without being able to write? Now, I know I am not perfect. I know my writing is mostly just rambling on about this or that. I also am doing it on a blog. Not in a published book. She would jump from one subject to the next. Half the time I did not know where she was going or how she would get to the point. It was basically like reading a teenagers diary... {Sorry - the truth hurts...}
Next, she seemed like a very classy lady on her show. She stood up for herself and really seemed to have her life together [despite the fact that she had taken to a reality show in Hollywood to find "true love"]. But the amount of cussing and revenge in this book is just appalling. I mean, she uses cuss words just to use them sometimes. It was almost like she realized she did not have one on that page yet and had to throw one in! I was disgusted by her mouth. And the revenge.. Oh my. I mean, I have been through breakups before. They are not fun. They suck. But I have never ever BURNED an old flames stuff! Nor would I ever suggest that it was actually a healthy thing to do! Leave it in a box on his doorstep; have a friend take it to him; something, anything is better than burning it! This is a man she once agreed to marry, a man she was sharing a home with {before they were married.... do not get me started on that} and all she can think to do is to burn his stuff?
Another area that really bothers me was she acted as though she had a degree in psychology, not law. I was really put off by the fact that she was giving step by step guidelines on what to do next or how to go from one phase of the breakup to the next. I know, I know. I was not in her shoes. It has been years since my last breakup (thanks to the fact that I am happily married) so maybe I just do not get it. But when I went through breakups, and friends went through breakups, we both healed in different ways. So while yes, this was her story, she should have kept it as her story. Not a self-help guide to moving on. //Just my two cents - take it or leave it.//
One phrase she used was talking about how you should always "test drive a car before buying it"... Now if you understand that she was NOT talking about cars in the phrase, continue reading. This is what is wrong with the world today! God says that sex is for a MAN and WIFE! Not boyfriend and girlfriend; fiancés; friends; neighbors; who ever. It is for marriage. The fact that she tells people that they should basically sleep around until they are committed is crazy! Pure crazy.
I really thought this book would be more about her journey through both seasons of the hit show; but I was left very disappointed. She never even called Josh by name - I mean, come on girl, he was your fiancée and you cannot even use his name?
Why did I spend this time telling you about this book that you should by no means buy, read, contemplate renting, borrowing... none of that. It should never have been published. Harsh? Maybe, but I am so glad that I did not buy a hard copy of the book because I would not want it on my shelves.
I say all of that to say this... Ladies, we need to protect ourselves. There is so much trash out there in this world. So just that is trying to lead us in the ways of the world. If a non-Christian girl had read this, and thought this was the proper way to go through a breakup or the best way to act or carry yourself, then I would feel bad that they took Andi's poor advice. We need to be examples to other girls out there. Show them the way of the Lord. Do not let them go to girls like this for advice on how to live and react to situations that come our way.
Andi - if you ever read this - I hope you understand why I said what I did. I thought of you as sort of a roll model to girls until I read your book. I was so excited to see a career woman on this show and thought that it was a great example of how you can follow your dreams and still find love. But really, now I feel bad for you. I have been praying a lot for you. And I hope that you find what you are looking for in this life to be truly happy. {However - that true happiness will only come from knowing God and a personal relationship with Him....}
Please be cautious what you let your daughters watch and read. Please guard their hearts, minds, eyes, ears from the ways of the world. Do not let them fall into the trap that this world is laying and the lies that are being spread to look like truths. Keep them surrounded by God and His words so that when something contradicts God's truths, they know which is real.
Sincerely,
A Girl Who Will Choose Her Reading Material A Little More Cautiously Next Time
I was so excited. I had watched both seasons with her and felt like she was a very strong woman, who was set in her career and looking for Mr. Right to spend her nights with. I knew that she had broken up with Josh, whom she chose as her final suitor at the end. He even proposed to her! But, I knew that by the time the book came out, they were no longer a couple.
So when I saw the book, I thought "oh great - here are her behind the scenes information of what happened" which led me to purchase the book.
Boy oh boy was I wrong! WoW!
First of all, please forgive me for this Andi, but how did you ever graduate from Law School without being able to write? Now, I know I am not perfect. I know my writing is mostly just rambling on about this or that. I also am doing it on a blog. Not in a published book. She would jump from one subject to the next. Half the time I did not know where she was going or how she would get to the point. It was basically like reading a teenagers diary... {Sorry - the truth hurts...}
Next, she seemed like a very classy lady on her show. She stood up for herself and really seemed to have her life together [despite the fact that she had taken to a reality show in Hollywood to find "true love"]. But the amount of cussing and revenge in this book is just appalling. I mean, she uses cuss words just to use them sometimes. It was almost like she realized she did not have one on that page yet and had to throw one in! I was disgusted by her mouth. And the revenge.. Oh my. I mean, I have been through breakups before. They are not fun. They suck. But I have never ever BURNED an old flames stuff! Nor would I ever suggest that it was actually a healthy thing to do! Leave it in a box on his doorstep; have a friend take it to him; something, anything is better than burning it! This is a man she once agreed to marry, a man she was sharing a home with {before they were married.... do not get me started on that} and all she can think to do is to burn his stuff?
Another area that really bothers me was she acted as though she had a degree in psychology, not law. I was really put off by the fact that she was giving step by step guidelines on what to do next or how to go from one phase of the breakup to the next. I know, I know. I was not in her shoes. It has been years since my last breakup (thanks to the fact that I am happily married) so maybe I just do not get it. But when I went through breakups, and friends went through breakups, we both healed in different ways. So while yes, this was her story, she should have kept it as her story. Not a self-help guide to moving on. //Just my two cents - take it or leave it.//
One phrase she used was talking about how you should always "test drive a car before buying it"... Now if you understand that she was NOT talking about cars in the phrase, continue reading. This is what is wrong with the world today! God says that sex is for a MAN and WIFE! Not boyfriend and girlfriend; fiancés; friends; neighbors; who ever. It is for marriage. The fact that she tells people that they should basically sleep around until they are committed is crazy! Pure crazy.
I really thought this book would be more about her journey through both seasons of the hit show; but I was left very disappointed. She never even called Josh by name - I mean, come on girl, he was your fiancée and you cannot even use his name?
Why did I spend this time telling you about this book that you should by no means buy, read, contemplate renting, borrowing... none of that. It should never have been published. Harsh? Maybe, but I am so glad that I did not buy a hard copy of the book because I would not want it on my shelves.
I say all of that to say this... Ladies, we need to protect ourselves. There is so much trash out there in this world. So just that is trying to lead us in the ways of the world. If a non-Christian girl had read this, and thought this was the proper way to go through a breakup or the best way to act or carry yourself, then I would feel bad that they took Andi's poor advice. We need to be examples to other girls out there. Show them the way of the Lord. Do not let them go to girls like this for advice on how to live and react to situations that come our way.
Andi - if you ever read this - I hope you understand why I said what I did. I thought of you as sort of a roll model to girls until I read your book. I was so excited to see a career woman on this show and thought that it was a great example of how you can follow your dreams and still find love. But really, now I feel bad for you. I have been praying a lot for you. And I hope that you find what you are looking for in this life to be truly happy. {However - that true happiness will only come from knowing God and a personal relationship with Him....}
Please be cautious what you let your daughters watch and read. Please guard their hearts, minds, eyes, ears from the ways of the world. Do not let them fall into the trap that this world is laying and the lies that are being spread to look like truths. Keep them surrounded by God and His words so that when something contradicts God's truths, they know which is real.
Sincerely,
A Girl Who Will Choose Her Reading Material A Little More Cautiously Next Time
Friday, May 20, 2016
This is the day...
We all count down to certain days and times in our lives. We set reminders so we do not forget about important events happening. Make countdowns to remind people how many days until... you fill in the blank for you.
Well, the day is upon us in our family... We have waited and prayed. And prayed and waited. Prayed some more... waited some more.
You get the idea!
My husband and I knew that moving to our current house was a temporary move. <Insert Carrie Underwood singing "Temporary Home" because that is what started playing in my head as I typed this!> We knew that eventually we would be selling and moving our family we have created to a new location. It was no surprise to us when we started to feel like that time of the impending move was drawing near.
It was a surprise to us how quickly God moved in our situation. Let me lay it out for you...
After years of praying about moving (pretty much since before we moved here) to the town where our church and my base were, it all happened so fast that it still hasn't formulated into my mind. See, my husband was offered a job... We did not accept right away. We did not just jump on it since it would take us to the location that we knew we were supposed to be in. We took our time.
We prayed! A LOT!
When we finally felt like it was time to accept the offer and get this thing started, it all went rolling into action. In a matter of days we had offered on a house ((with tons of land and promise)); that offer was accepted. We had put our house on the market. After 3 days that consisted of 7 showings, we got an above-list-price offer... that we accepted. And the plan was put into place.
Finally - we were moving. Now, please do not think that there were not hiccups along the way. Yes, we had issues. There were things needed completed at both our current and new houses in order for the sales to go through. The countless trees that died for us to sign our names a bajillion times over and over again so that we could say the same thing to our realtor, mortgage people and whoever else asked the questions. There was the stresses of going through home inspections, radon inspections, pest inspections, appraisals, negotiations back and forth on who fixes this or that... What was more important, this or that.
No, it was not easy - but we stayed calm, cried a few times, hung onto each other and ultimately we are about the cross over to the other side.
So, when I say the day is upon us, I do not mean our moving day is finally here. {I wish!} But the day is upon us to where we have to pack!
UGH!
Who likes packing? Anyone? Because I sure do not. And now we have to pack for we do not know how long to stay at my parents house for who knows how long and hope that we have everything done. It is a challenge - but the day is upon us. We will survive this just like we survived all the paperwork to get to this day...
Oh - and did I mention my husband starts his new job on Tuesday, where he will leave Tuesday and not come back until Thursday when the girls are about to go to bed... and we will be at my parents house, babysitting their dog.... just me - 3 dogs and 2 toddlers.
You may not hear from me for a while... Just saying...
But, no matter what - the day is upon us when our prayers are being answered...
Sincerely,
A Thankful Prayerful Mom
Well, the day is upon us in our family... We have waited and prayed. And prayed and waited. Prayed some more... waited some more.
You get the idea!
My husband and I knew that moving to our current house was a temporary move. <Insert Carrie Underwood singing "Temporary Home" because that is what started playing in my head as I typed this!> We knew that eventually we would be selling and moving our family we have created to a new location. It was no surprise to us when we started to feel like that time of the impending move was drawing near.
It was a surprise to us how quickly God moved in our situation. Let me lay it out for you...
After years of praying about moving (pretty much since before we moved here) to the town where our church and my base were, it all happened so fast that it still hasn't formulated into my mind. See, my husband was offered a job... We did not accept right away. We did not just jump on it since it would take us to the location that we knew we were supposed to be in. We took our time.
We prayed! A LOT!
When we finally felt like it was time to accept the offer and get this thing started, it all went rolling into action. In a matter of days we had offered on a house ((with tons of land and promise)); that offer was accepted. We had put our house on the market. After 3 days that consisted of 7 showings, we got an above-list-price offer... that we accepted. And the plan was put into place.
Finally - we were moving. Now, please do not think that there were not hiccups along the way. Yes, we had issues. There were things needed completed at both our current and new houses in order for the sales to go through. The countless trees that died for us to sign our names a bajillion times over and over again so that we could say the same thing to our realtor, mortgage people and whoever else asked the questions. There was the stresses of going through home inspections, radon inspections, pest inspections, appraisals, negotiations back and forth on who fixes this or that... What was more important, this or that.
No, it was not easy - but we stayed calm, cried a few times, hung onto each other and ultimately we are about the cross over to the other side.
So, when I say the day is upon us, I do not mean our moving day is finally here. {I wish!} But the day is upon us to where we have to pack!
UGH!
Who likes packing? Anyone? Because I sure do not. And now we have to pack for we do not know how long to stay at my parents house for who knows how long and hope that we have everything done. It is a challenge - but the day is upon us. We will survive this just like we survived all the paperwork to get to this day...
Oh - and did I mention my husband starts his new job on Tuesday, where he will leave Tuesday and not come back until Thursday when the girls are about to go to bed... and we will be at my parents house, babysitting their dog.... just me - 3 dogs and 2 toddlers.
You may not hear from me for a while... Just saying...
But, no matter what - the day is upon us when our prayers are being answered...
Sincerely,
A Thankful Prayerful Mom
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Just A Mom Keeping It Real
Okay Moms - I am talking to you today. Or maybe Dads... Anyone who stays home with the kids. Maybe not even your kids. You are the babysitter maybe. Okay - so really, I am talking to anyone who has children around them.
Anyway... So my 2.5yr old likes to come down to Mommy & Daddy's bed at night sometimes. She goes through phases of doing it every night to going weeks between coming down for some cuddles in the middle of the night.
So it has been a while since Hubs & I had our little visitor at night.
But I really was not fully aware of her joining us last night. I know I lifted her into our bed. I do not know what time it was {{found out later Hubs had already taken her back at 12:30am when she came down the first time}} nor do I really remember much of anything other than lifting her into the bed between Hubs and I.
What I do remember, however, is where the joys of being Mom [or Dad] come in. Are you ready?
I am going to keep it real here.
I woke up at 5am to pee... As I was pee'ing, I realized I had been so sweaty while I slept last night - or this morning since I figured it was due to another body in the bed with us. I debated changing my shirt, but as I debated, I started to realize I was only sweaty in 1 area of my body. I was whiping sweat off my side & thinking how abnormal this was.
Are you still with me here?
So I finish pee'ing & just sit there trying to wake myself up enough to figure out what is going on. I reach down to pull up my shorts -- that is when I realize that just the right side of my shorts were wet too.
Which is when a lightbulb comes on and I instantly sniff my hand. You know, the hand I used to wipe the sweat off my side while I was pee'ing...
It was not sweat.
There was no way that smell was from sweat!
I look to my bed <which can be seen from my spot on the toilet> to see Caralee laying there all passed out... WITH NO PANTS ON! Okay - not just no pants, no diaper either.
--Now Caralee has been potty trained for about 10 months, but we have never ventured into the nighttime part of it since she has not seemed ready for that--
So I pull up my shorts wake Hubs & inform him of our newfound issue with our little visitor... He instantly realized his side of the bed was dry so told me to put on some dry clothes, take his side & go back to sleep with Caralee. The damage was done so no sense in waking her to get her washed up at 5am if she was still sleeping peacefully.
I changed my clothes. Climb into bed on Hubs side while he gets up & goes to the couch. All I smell is pee. That is it. Pee. There are no other scents that can be picked up by my nose at this point.
Yet somehow, exhaustion wins & I fall back to sleep with my toddler still wearing just her pj top.
I wake up at 7am... Hubs is gone for work, my toddler is not in the room but my brain instantly starts to process the events of the morning. I get up - my "clean" clothes are smelling like pee now so I strip down, grab a shower & come out to strip the bed.
That is when I realized just how bad my morning was -- the pee had soaked through the mattress protector! Yup. You know that thing you buy to save yourself from things like this happening. Yeah. It failed me this morning. Failed me.
So I get everything into the washer - get it on its way to smelling better. Then go back to assess the damage to our mattress and get to cleaning it...
Well I think you now understand how my morning has gone... But, if I can survive, so can you! That is a promise.
No matter what challenges you face today - no matter what stress comes your way - Call on God. He is there. He is your strength. Your protection. Your comfort. Your calm in the midst of the storm. He will always be there to listen & guide you through your life. No matter how crazy your life is, He is there. He wants to help.
I sometimes have to remind myself multiple times that He is there with me. But once I get it into my head that there is nothing He & I cannot face together, that is when things start to look up. Things stop looking impossible & a plan of action starts to form.
Why do I tell you this nasty story of me getting covered in pee as I slept? To let you know that this too shall pass. You are not alone. Sometimes life is just like being covered in someone else's pee. Or maybe you really were just like me. Whichever the case - do not turn away from God. Do not forget that He is with you. Do not let anyone tell you that things will not get better. I am here to tell you that they will!
Sincerely,
A Mom Who Has Had A Day By 7am
Anyway... So my 2.5yr old likes to come down to Mommy & Daddy's bed at night sometimes. She goes through phases of doing it every night to going weeks between coming down for some cuddles in the middle of the night.
So it has been a while since Hubs & I had our little visitor at night.
But I really was not fully aware of her joining us last night. I know I lifted her into our bed. I do not know what time it was {{found out later Hubs had already taken her back at 12:30am when she came down the first time}} nor do I really remember much of anything other than lifting her into the bed between Hubs and I.
What I do remember, however, is where the joys of being Mom [or Dad] come in. Are you ready?
I am going to keep it real here.
I woke up at 5am to pee... As I was pee'ing, I realized I had been so sweaty while I slept last night - or this morning since I figured it was due to another body in the bed with us. I debated changing my shirt, but as I debated, I started to realize I was only sweaty in 1 area of my body. I was whiping sweat off my side & thinking how abnormal this was.
Are you still with me here?
So I finish pee'ing & just sit there trying to wake myself up enough to figure out what is going on. I reach down to pull up my shorts -- that is when I realize that just the right side of my shorts were wet too.
Which is when a lightbulb comes on and I instantly sniff my hand. You know, the hand I used to wipe the sweat off my side while I was pee'ing...
It was not sweat.
There was no way that smell was from sweat!
I look to my bed <which can be seen from my spot on the toilet> to see Caralee laying there all passed out... WITH NO PANTS ON! Okay - not just no pants, no diaper either.
--Now Caralee has been potty trained for about 10 months, but we have never ventured into the nighttime part of it since she has not seemed ready for that--
So I pull up my shorts wake Hubs & inform him of our newfound issue with our little visitor... He instantly realized his side of the bed was dry so told me to put on some dry clothes, take his side & go back to sleep with Caralee. The damage was done so no sense in waking her to get her washed up at 5am if she was still sleeping peacefully.
I changed my clothes. Climb into bed on Hubs side while he gets up & goes to the couch. All I smell is pee. That is it. Pee. There are no other scents that can be picked up by my nose at this point.
Yet somehow, exhaustion wins & I fall back to sleep with my toddler still wearing just her pj top.
I wake up at 7am... Hubs is gone for work, my toddler is not in the room but my brain instantly starts to process the events of the morning. I get up - my "clean" clothes are smelling like pee now so I strip down, grab a shower & come out to strip the bed.
That is when I realized just how bad my morning was -- the pee had soaked through the mattress protector! Yup. You know that thing you buy to save yourself from things like this happening. Yeah. It failed me this morning. Failed me.
So I get everything into the washer - get it on its way to smelling better. Then go back to assess the damage to our mattress and get to cleaning it...
Well I think you now understand how my morning has gone... But, if I can survive, so can you! That is a promise.
No matter what challenges you face today - no matter what stress comes your way - Call on God. He is there. He is your strength. Your protection. Your comfort. Your calm in the midst of the storm. He will always be there to listen & guide you through your life. No matter how crazy your life is, He is there. He wants to help.
I sometimes have to remind myself multiple times that He is there with me. But once I get it into my head that there is nothing He & I cannot face together, that is when things start to look up. Things stop looking impossible & a plan of action starts to form.
Why do I tell you this nasty story of me getting covered in pee as I slept? To let you know that this too shall pass. You are not alone. Sometimes life is just like being covered in someone else's pee. Or maybe you really were just like me. Whichever the case - do not turn away from God. Do not forget that He is with you. Do not let anyone tell you that things will not get better. I am here to tell you that they will!
Sincerely,
A Mom Who Has Had A Day By 7am
Monday, May 16, 2016
Just Be Held...
So yesterday, I was driving home from working for the last few days and I had my music going really loud to help me since I was so tired. I was driving my husbands car, so I did not have my SiriusXM. Which meant that I had my phone plugged in and the music I have downloaded from iTunes.
You may be wondering what is the point... I promise I am getting to it!
Well I forgot that my amazing husband sync'd all of our music, and he has Casting Crowns, which means now I do too!
You ever get to where you have heard a song so many times, but then you finally hear the words? That is what happened to me yesterday. I finally heard the lyrics and it just has been radiating in me ever since.
Here is the lyric video: https://youtu.be/tIZitK6_IMQ
During my message yesterday morning I talked about waiting on the Lord and how He is there for us through everything.
So hearing the lyrics about letting go and letting God just hold you has been hanging with me ever since.
They say "Your world is not falling apart it is falling into place..." which is something that so many of us need to hear. No matter what we are going through, no matter how hard things seem, no matter if you cannot see any way of making it out of your situation - your world is not falling apart!
Did you hear that? YOUR WORLD IS NOT FALLING APART!
God is ensuring that your world is going into place. We - as humans - may not see that.. We may be wondering what God is doing or what He is allowing this or that to happen. But remember, He can see the big picture. He planned your life before you were born - this situation is not a surprise to Him.
Sometimes we have to learn to just let go of whatever is going on and just let God hold us.
When all seems to be going wrong, go to God. Let Him hold you and take care of whatever is going on. It is not impossible.
Sincerely,
Someone who is letting God hold her even more now
You may be wondering what is the point... I promise I am getting to it!
Well I forgot that my amazing husband sync'd all of our music, and he has Casting Crowns, which means now I do too!
You ever get to where you have heard a song so many times, but then you finally hear the words? That is what happened to me yesterday. I finally heard the lyrics and it just has been radiating in me ever since.
Here is the lyric video: https://youtu.be/tIZitK6_IMQ
During my message yesterday morning I talked about waiting on the Lord and how He is there for us through everything.
So hearing the lyrics about letting go and letting God just hold you has been hanging with me ever since.
They say "Your world is not falling apart it is falling into place..." which is something that so many of us need to hear. No matter what we are going through, no matter how hard things seem, no matter if you cannot see any way of making it out of your situation - your world is not falling apart!
Did you hear that? YOUR WORLD IS NOT FALLING APART!
God is ensuring that your world is going into place. We - as humans - may not see that.. We may be wondering what God is doing or what He is allowing this or that to happen. But remember, He can see the big picture. He planned your life before you were born - this situation is not a surprise to Him.
Sometimes we have to learn to just let go of whatever is going on and just let God hold us.
When all seems to be going wrong, go to God. Let Him hold you and take care of whatever is going on. It is not impossible.
Sincerely,
Someone who is letting God hold her even more now
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Combat Boots
Today is Thursday. Most people count down to Friday. Why? Because that is the end of most people's week... You know you can make it through the day on Friday because you will then have a couple days off before you head into the office again
Well, that's not how life goes for me. Friday is my Monday... Except my Monday only comes once a month. You may be wondering how that is... Well I promise it is not all you are thinking it is right now.
One weekend a month I grab my uniform and serve this wonderful country in the Ohio Air National Guard. I love my job, so do not think I am complaining at all. It is the life I chose.
Almost 15 years ago I raised my right hand & swore to defend this country against all enemies, both foreign & domestic. Then, 4 years later I did it again as I transferred from the Air Force into the Ohio ANG. Then 6 years later I did it again. Then a year later I did it again as an officer.
So I have made my choice and do not regret it.
However-- it is tough when everyone is counting down to Friday and I know my Friday is actually my Monday this week. But since I love my job and the people I serve with, I willingly leave my family for a few days & join another family. My extended family. My brothers & sisters who have committed their lives to this country just as I have so many times over the last 15 years of my life.
Why do I tell you all of this? I do not know for sure. I just know it was on my heart & on my mind. So I wanted to share with you. I do not serve for a thank you or for any type of recognition. I serve because it is where I am called to be for right now. When it is time for me to retire, I will do so knowing that others are coming in after me to fulfill the call to this great nation.
If there is someone in your family, a friend, a neighbor-- who you know who puts that uniform on as well, then make sure you say an extra prayer for them and their family tonight. Pray for their safety. Pray for their peace. Pray for their mental health {trust me -- mental illness is a huge issue in the military due to the type of job we have and do}. Pray that they get to see their family. Pray that their planes, ships, vehicles are all safe. Pray that their family does not have to worry.
One thing you can always do for your military is pray for them. Please do not ever forget to do that.
Sincerely,
A Girl Who Wears A Uniform And Combat Boots
Well, that's not how life goes for me. Friday is my Monday... Except my Monday only comes once a month. You may be wondering how that is... Well I promise it is not all you are thinking it is right now.
One weekend a month I grab my uniform and serve this wonderful country in the Ohio Air National Guard. I love my job, so do not think I am complaining at all. It is the life I chose.
Almost 15 years ago I raised my right hand & swore to defend this country against all enemies, both foreign & domestic. Then, 4 years later I did it again as I transferred from the Air Force into the Ohio ANG. Then 6 years later I did it again. Then a year later I did it again as an officer.
So I have made my choice and do not regret it.
However-- it is tough when everyone is counting down to Friday and I know my Friday is actually my Monday this week. But since I love my job and the people I serve with, I willingly leave my family for a few days & join another family. My extended family. My brothers & sisters who have committed their lives to this country just as I have so many times over the last 15 years of my life.
Why do I tell you all of this? I do not know for sure. I just know it was on my heart & on my mind. So I wanted to share with you. I do not serve for a thank you or for any type of recognition. I serve because it is where I am called to be for right now. When it is time for me to retire, I will do so knowing that others are coming in after me to fulfill the call to this great nation.
If there is someone in your family, a friend, a neighbor-- who you know who puts that uniform on as well, then make sure you say an extra prayer for them and their family tonight. Pray for their safety. Pray for their peace. Pray for their mental health {trust me -- mental illness is a huge issue in the military due to the type of job we have and do}. Pray that they get to see their family. Pray that their planes, ships, vehicles are all safe. Pray that their family does not have to worry.
One thing you can always do for your military is pray for them. Please do not ever forget to do that.
Sincerely,
A Girl Who Wears A Uniform And Combat Boots
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
God is Good...
Over the years there are times when I have wondered "Are you there God?" It is like the book I read as a kid... You pray, you read the Bible, you live as you are supposed to (messing up sometimes, asking forgiveness & moving on)...
But it is easy as a human to wonder if there is a reason for this. A reason to follow God & what He commanded us in His Word. I think of the saying from the movie "Gods Not Dead 2" -- "I would rather stand with God & be judges by the world than stand with the world & be judged by God!"
That is such a powerful statement. And it has been ringing through my mind since I saw the movie. Am I standing with God in all that I do? Am I really trusting Him?
Well the last 8 days have shown me just how much God loves me. Just how much He thinks of me. That I am His favorite! {Do not get upset -- you are His favorite too!! You are!}
My husband & I have been praying for years now for something. Praying. Praying. Praying. Giving our tithes. Giving offerings above our tithes. But at some points we just felt like we were not getting anywhere. Just felt like we were stuck. We were out in the wilderness alone.
But we never gave up. Never stopped praying. Never stopped believing that God had a plan. Yes it was taking longer than we wanted it to! I mean, I wanted this all done years ago. But that is not how God works. He does not do things in our timing just because that is what we want. [[I know - how unfair, right?]] He has everything planned out already.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to give you a hope & a future!"
How many times have we read that & just kept going. Thinking "well that is nice God - but what about now? What about today?"
He sees today. But He also sees tomorrow. & the next day. & the next day. He sees it. I promise.
When it is time for things to happen, He will make them happen. He will make things happen in ways that you never saw as a possibility. & that is how you will know -- without any doubt -- that it was all God! That it was not by your own might or power - but it was by God.
I had nothing to do with the recent turn of events in my family's lives... Except I trusted God. My husband trusted God. My family all prayed for us. Believed with us. & stood on the promises of God with us. & when God was ready, He made a way. He made it all fall into place. Made us just cry with thanksgiving that He thinks of us & made all this happen for us!
If He can do it for us - He can do it for you.
Since He did it for us - He will do it for you!
The only question I have for you is, do you believe? Do you trust? Can you put away all doubt & stand strong on what God says in His word?
Can you ignore the doubters & those who say God is dead... Can you overpower the voices of negativity by quoting Scripture?
I believe that your blessings are here. They are happening. You are a blessed child of God! Never give doubt any place in you heart, mind, soul.
And then watch what He will do with your faithfulness.
Sincerely,
A truly grateful child of the Almighty God
Monday, May 9, 2016
Are you going to stand?
Being someone who grew up going to church, I have heard the phrase "Trust God always" or "Trust God in everything & every situation"... If you have gone to church any number of times you have probably heard a phrase like that before too.
I think I have even preached on the subject before!
But sometimes we know something is true - we believe it with all that we are. Then, we actually get to put it to the test... Put our faith to the test. Decide if we are going to actually put all our faith & trust in God. To know that He, and He alone, can fix the problem/issue, change the final answer or work all things out in your favor.
It is not easy -- believe me -- to get to that point in your life where you are having to take a step back & fully trust that God has this problem or situation already figured out.
When your human brain is bringing in doubt, telling you opposite of what you know God is telling you, it is difficult to continue to hold onto His truths.
However, that's just what we have to do. We have to hold on. No matter what our human eyes are seeing. We have to hold on. No matter what other people say. Stand strong in His truth. Stand strong in Him. Believe the report that God has given you. Not what you feel or see. Speak the truth that God has given you, not what is happening.
Speak it into existence. Speak it as God has promised. & do not waver in your faith! Do no let the doubt creep in. Do not let the devil tell you something that goes against God's word & promises.
When your situation seems unbearable, when it seems like there is no way out, when it seems like God has forgotten you & left you to figure things out on your own... That is when you have to have faith! That is when you have to trust even more that God knows what He is doing.
Never give up. Never speak anything except what God has given you to say. Stay positive throughout your situation. Because you never know who is watching you & who is waiting to see what God will do. He is using you & others are watching. So stand strong my friend. Stand strong in God!
Sincerely,
I Needed To Hear This Myself
I think I have even preached on the subject before!
But sometimes we know something is true - we believe it with all that we are. Then, we actually get to put it to the test... Put our faith to the test. Decide if we are going to actually put all our faith & trust in God. To know that He, and He alone, can fix the problem/issue, change the final answer or work all things out in your favor.
It is not easy -- believe me -- to get to that point in your life where you are having to take a step back & fully trust that God has this problem or situation already figured out.
When your human brain is bringing in doubt, telling you opposite of what you know God is telling you, it is difficult to continue to hold onto His truths.
However, that's just what we have to do. We have to hold on. No matter what our human eyes are seeing. We have to hold on. No matter what other people say. Stand strong in His truth. Stand strong in Him. Believe the report that God has given you. Not what you feel or see. Speak the truth that God has given you, not what is happening.
Speak it into existence. Speak it as God has promised. & do not waver in your faith! Do no let the doubt creep in. Do not let the devil tell you something that goes against God's word & promises.
When your situation seems unbearable, when it seems like there is no way out, when it seems like God has forgotten you & left you to figure things out on your own... That is when you have to have faith! That is when you have to trust even more that God knows what He is doing.
Never give up. Never speak anything except what God has given you to say. Stay positive throughout your situation. Because you never know who is watching you & who is waiting to see what God will do. He is using you & others are watching. So stand strong my friend. Stand strong in God!
Sincerely,
I Needed To Hear This Myself
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Mom, you are not alone...
When you are a parent, sometimes you do not even get a second alone to think. About anything!
From what you are making for breakfast/lunch/dinner, or if you already washed your hair... Not even to remember if you made your bed or fed the dog.
Please tell me I am not alone in this.
Some days all I want is to be able to go to the bathroom without one or two kids sitting on my lap while I go! Is that really too much to ask?
When did my life go from peaceful boredom to so much stress 24/7 that I cannot even remember if I brushed my teeth today?
It is so easy for moms to loose themselves in the daily grind of what this life has become. Wiping noses. Changing diapers. Finding a paci (for the millionth time today). Making food that may or may not be eaten. Waiting until the kids go to bed to actually get to eat something yourself without little hands helping themselves to whatever is on your plate (even though the just fed the dog everything you gave to them to eat).
I have found it to be so important to take a minute to breathe! Among all the whining, crying, teething, fussing, I am sleepy but do not make me nap moments, as a mom, we need to breathe. We need to take that second to gather ourselves before we truly do go insane!
I am just being real here.
And I know I am not alone. I know I am not the only one who forgets to breathe. Forgets to remember that this too shall pass. And one day I will long for these moments back.
Please know you are not alone. You are not the only one wondering how you will survive another day (okay - maybe another minute) without someone giving you a break.
When you try to talk to another adult & your children just will not let you - remember, that other adult is not judging you. They have probably been in the same boat you are in now!
I get so embarrassed when my kids do not act like they are supposed to - but then I have to remind myself they are 2.5yrs & 1yr old... They cannot always tell me what is wrong. Maybe they do not even know themselves. They just know that at that moment they want me. Mom. Their comfort.
So take a breath mom. Lean on your comfort system (God, hubby, your mom, a friend). Just like your daughter or son needs you - you need someone to remind you to breathe & it will all be okay!
Sincerely,
Another tired, stressed, worn out, needing a shower & brushed teeth, losing her mind mom
From what you are making for breakfast/lunch/dinner, or if you already washed your hair... Not even to remember if you made your bed or fed the dog.
Please tell me I am not alone in this.
Some days all I want is to be able to go to the bathroom without one or two kids sitting on my lap while I go! Is that really too much to ask?
When did my life go from peaceful boredom to so much stress 24/7 that I cannot even remember if I brushed my teeth today?
It is so easy for moms to loose themselves in the daily grind of what this life has become. Wiping noses. Changing diapers. Finding a paci (for the millionth time today). Making food that may or may not be eaten. Waiting until the kids go to bed to actually get to eat something yourself without little hands helping themselves to whatever is on your plate (even though the just fed the dog everything you gave to them to eat).
I have found it to be so important to take a minute to breathe! Among all the whining, crying, teething, fussing, I am sleepy but do not make me nap moments, as a mom, we need to breathe. We need to take that second to gather ourselves before we truly do go insane!
I am just being real here.
And I know I am not alone. I know I am not the only one who forgets to breathe. Forgets to remember that this too shall pass. And one day I will long for these moments back.
Please know you are not alone. You are not the only one wondering how you will survive another day (okay - maybe another minute) without someone giving you a break.
When you try to talk to another adult & your children just will not let you - remember, that other adult is not judging you. They have probably been in the same boat you are in now!
I get so embarrassed when my kids do not act like they are supposed to - but then I have to remind myself they are 2.5yrs & 1yr old... They cannot always tell me what is wrong. Maybe they do not even know themselves. They just know that at that moment they want me. Mom. Their comfort.
So take a breath mom. Lean on your comfort system (God, hubby, your mom, a friend). Just like your daughter or son needs you - you need someone to remind you to breathe & it will all be okay!
Sincerely,
Another tired, stressed, worn out, needing a shower & brushed teeth, losing her mind mom
Friday, April 29, 2016
Random Thoughts from a SAHM
Well - It is Finally Friday!! What does that mean?? Well as a Stay At Home Mom - nothing really! 😉
This week has been so long for me. Both girls are teething & there has been non-stop crying/whining/runny noses for me to endure all week long. I have been very thankful for the short little quiet moments I have been able to steal away while they watched a movie (oh have I mentioned it has been raining most the week so we have had to stay inside instead of letting them run around outdoors....) & I get to drink my coffee --super fast-- in silence.
And as I am typing this my 1yr old climbs onto my lap & throws up on me! Not a lot, but enough to where these clean pants I got out for today are, well, no longer clean!
The joys of mom life!
Some days it is the toughest thing in the world. I wonder if I can survive another minute let alone the hours until help [in the form of my husband] arrives! Every day just seems to blur together in a never-ending time of making food, throwing out food because it wasn't eaten {{or letting the dog eat it so it does not go to waste}}, getting milk, cleaning up toys, changing diapers, letting the dogs out, finding the favorite stuffed animal that is hiding right in front of my toddlers eyes, letting the dogs in, brushing teeth (the kids love this activity), preparing for naps.... The list could go on but I think you get the idea <or you are right there with me in this craziness>!
Why do I say all of this? Because. No matter how tired I am, how stressed I get, how many times I loose my temper & yell [I know I am not alone here - right Moms? Dads?] at the kids because I just feel so overwhelmed I can't even think straight...
They come running into the room & ask for a hug (no hidden agenda this time), or a kiss... Or like my 1yr old who just cut her first top tooth today & wasn't feeling good because of it, she lays down in my lap & drifts off to sleep!
And I am once again filled with the love that makes all the above stressors disappear from my mind. I am filled with unconditional love for this child who developed inside me.
So when the days are long & seem like you are living in the movie Groundhog Day... Know you are not alone. You are not facing these trials alone. You do not have to suffer in silence. As moms, we need to stick together. Support each other. Love each other. Comfort each other. Lift each other up.
I'm here for you! We will survive these days together! Never give up!
This week has been so long for me. Both girls are teething & there has been non-stop crying/whining/runny noses for me to endure all week long. I have been very thankful for the short little quiet moments I have been able to steal away while they watched a movie (oh have I mentioned it has been raining most the week so we have had to stay inside instead of letting them run around outdoors....) & I get to drink my coffee --super fast-- in silence.
And as I am typing this my 1yr old climbs onto my lap & throws up on me! Not a lot, but enough to where these clean pants I got out for today are, well, no longer clean!
The joys of mom life!
Some days it is the toughest thing in the world. I wonder if I can survive another minute let alone the hours until help [in the form of my husband] arrives! Every day just seems to blur together in a never-ending time of making food, throwing out food because it wasn't eaten {{or letting the dog eat it so it does not go to waste}}, getting milk, cleaning up toys, changing diapers, letting the dogs out, finding the favorite stuffed animal that is hiding right in front of my toddlers eyes, letting the dogs in, brushing teeth (the kids love this activity), preparing for naps.... The list could go on but I think you get the idea <or you are right there with me in this craziness>!
Why do I say all of this? Because. No matter how tired I am, how stressed I get, how many times I loose my temper & yell [I know I am not alone here - right Moms? Dads?] at the kids because I just feel so overwhelmed I can't even think straight...
They come running into the room & ask for a hug (no hidden agenda this time), or a kiss... Or like my 1yr old who just cut her first top tooth today & wasn't feeling good because of it, she lays down in my lap & drifts off to sleep!
And I am once again filled with the love that makes all the above stressors disappear from my mind. I am filled with unconditional love for this child who developed inside me.
So when the days are long & seem like you are living in the movie Groundhog Day... Know you are not alone. You are not facing these trials alone. You do not have to suffer in silence. As moms, we need to stick together. Support each other. Love each other. Comfort each other. Lift each other up.
I'm here for you! We will survive these days together! Never give up!
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Been a while...
So apparently I've let my blogging go to the back burner while I was busy having children! I've really been feeling like I should start this journey up again, so here I am!!
Be looking for more randomness from me as I re-enter the world of blogging! I'm looking forward to starting this up & sharing all kinds of things with you again!
So - here's to a new beginning as a wife, mom of two, Chaplain, Pastor & oh so many more titles to my name.
~Sarah~
Be looking for more randomness from me as I re-enter the world of blogging! I'm looking forward to starting this up & sharing all kinds of things with you again!
So - here's to a new beginning as a wife, mom of two, Chaplain, Pastor & oh so many more titles to my name.
~Sarah~
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