It has been a very fun and eventful weekend for us. Friday night we had a potluck Christmas social with our Bible Study class. Danny was home and was able to attend. I firmly believe potlucks were designed for men! Multiple types of meat and potatoes all for the taking and tasting. All I had to do was bring one small dish and....voila....he gets fed to his hearts content.
Saturday started with A Coca and Santa event at one of Meagan's friends house. A ton of people, tons of breakfast food, and a great chance to let my kids run wild in someone else's house for two hours. Meagan shared with Santa that she wanted a trampoline. Being this is the first I have heard of this and the fact we live in a town home at present.....well....wish denied! I am sure she will not be traumatized after she opens everything else.
Saturday afternoon was spent at the Fort Bend Theatre watching a production of Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tale. My kids wiggled quite a bit but kept their eyes fixed on the stage for 45 minutes! That is a huge testimony for the theatre.
Saturday evening was extra special because Danny was cooking and watching the girls while I took the night off. After just 15 minutes home from the theatre, a fish hook met my pinky and my quiet evening was interrupted briefly by a trip to the ER. I started to actually feel sorry for fish as I felt the barb dig into my flesh.
No one was at the ER and it took all of 30 minutes for them to stick me with a couple of needles and pull the barb out. I was still able to come home to a good dinner and sneak out for a couple of hours to stroll the mall to window shop.
Our life is full, fun, and sometimes not planned but is all mine and I love it!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
So....What is Normal?
It has been quite awhile since I last wrote. Life has sped by so quickly and some days feel like a blur.
Many times over the past (almost ten years of marriage) I have heard the following comments...
1. Your life is never dull!
2. I bet you would enjoy some normalcy in life.
3. Sometimes things just need to happen to someone else for a change.
4. Do you ever just shake your head and wonder why?
Danny and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage this coming February and I will agree with the comment that life is never dull for us. In the last ten years we have
- bought a house in the country
- rescued 19 dogs and 10 cats
- bought a small restaurant
- had 3 miscarriages
- sold everything to move overseas to what we believe God was calling us to do (lived in 5 different places before leaving since our house sold so quickly). Was five months pregnant with our first child.
- had the joy of giving birth to two daughters in Japan (I need to write a book on those experiences alone)
- Danny seriously breaks his leg on a deep sea fishing charter while living in Japan, finding out we were pregnant with our second child, and finding out that my job was going to be cut all in the same time period.
- Moved back to the states after just 3 short years (this should be part of my book too. Traveling with your life on your shoulders including a two year old, 6 week old, a dog and two cats....and on a series of planes. Let's just say we can laugh now.)
- settling into an apartment as our new home
- Danny changing careers and struggling with low income while he completed training
- my two year struggle with stomach issues only to have my gall bladder removed
- and last....Danny falling and breaking his arm on the job putting him out of work for awhile.
Would we change anything? No! Obviously God knew all of this was coming and we could somehow manage. Don't get me wrong, I had many a talk with God to ask for a break and some normalcy.
As another Thanksgiving passes, I am reminded how thankful I am for life, my family, and all the craziness that goes with it. I have come to realize that this is our normal.
Many times over the past (almost ten years of marriage) I have heard the following comments...
1. Your life is never dull!
2. I bet you would enjoy some normalcy in life.
3. Sometimes things just need to happen to someone else for a change.
4. Do you ever just shake your head and wonder why?
Danny and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage this coming February and I will agree with the comment that life is never dull for us. In the last ten years we have
- bought a house in the country
- rescued 19 dogs and 10 cats
- bought a small restaurant
- had 3 miscarriages
- sold everything to move overseas to what we believe God was calling us to do (lived in 5 different places before leaving since our house sold so quickly). Was five months pregnant with our first child.
- had the joy of giving birth to two daughters in Japan (I need to write a book on those experiences alone)
- Danny seriously breaks his leg on a deep sea fishing charter while living in Japan, finding out we were pregnant with our second child, and finding out that my job was going to be cut all in the same time period.
- Moved back to the states after just 3 short years (this should be part of my book too. Traveling with your life on your shoulders including a two year old, 6 week old, a dog and two cats....and on a series of planes. Let's just say we can laugh now.)
- settling into an apartment as our new home
- Danny changing careers and struggling with low income while he completed training
- my two year struggle with stomach issues only to have my gall bladder removed
- and last....Danny falling and breaking his arm on the job putting him out of work for awhile.
Would we change anything? No! Obviously God knew all of this was coming and we could somehow manage. Don't get me wrong, I had many a talk with God to ask for a break and some normalcy.
As another Thanksgiving passes, I am reminded how thankful I am for life, my family, and all the craziness that goes with it. I have come to realize that this is our normal.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Simple Life
I have always believed that kids today are spoiled. Mine included. As parents we naturally want the best for our kids but the definition of "best" is what I have been focusing on lately. After moving half way across the world and selling all our earthly possessions not long ago, I am glad we live very simple. I still get in purging moods in the house when I think we have too much stuff. Craigslist becomes my best friend for that short time period.a
We don't have cable, my girls don't know what a WII game is, Meagan told me this morning "Mom, that car has a t.v. in it? I didn't know you could do that." Our girls share a bedroom and all their toys. Most of their clothes are hand me downs or consignment sale buys.
Now, I am in no way suggesting if your kids have or know all about the mentioned things that you are wrong. For us, we have decided that simple is better. Our kids still ask for everything they see in the store or whine when I give them water instead of juice.
I mention this because everything going on in the news lately is about what others think they deserve or are entitled to. I want my girls to understand and know that everything you have is earned and is a blessing from God but it is NOT a right. I grew up with the understanding that nothing is free and If you want something ( a specific job, an item, etc.) you work for it, earn it, etc.
We have an entire generation that has been taught ENTITLEMENT. And now this thought process will most likely be taught to their kids. We are going against that thought process. Just as God made Adam work the land to get food, we too must work and not expect a handout.
Lord, I pray our girls know they are loved by their creator, work in the capacity that God created them to work, never blame others or put others down for their mistakes or lack of, and are content with every situation presented.
We don't have cable, my girls don't know what a WII game is, Meagan told me this morning "Mom, that car has a t.v. in it? I didn't know you could do that." Our girls share a bedroom and all their toys. Most of their clothes are hand me downs or consignment sale buys.
Now, I am in no way suggesting if your kids have or know all about the mentioned things that you are wrong. For us, we have decided that simple is better. Our kids still ask for everything they see in the store or whine when I give them water instead of juice.
I mention this because everything going on in the news lately is about what others think they deserve or are entitled to. I want my girls to understand and know that everything you have is earned and is a blessing from God but it is NOT a right. I grew up with the understanding that nothing is free and If you want something ( a specific job, an item, etc.) you work for it, earn it, etc.
We have an entire generation that has been taught ENTITLEMENT. And now this thought process will most likely be taught to their kids. We are going against that thought process. Just as God made Adam work the land to get food, we too must work and not expect a handout.
Lord, I pray our girls know they are loved by their creator, work in the capacity that God created them to work, never blame others or put others down for their mistakes or lack of, and are content with every situation presented.
On the Road Again
It is 5:30am and we start another two week journey without Daddy home. He just pulled out to head to his truck. Of course, I loaded him down with home cooked Jumbalaya, chicken and vegetables' and blueberry muffins along with a ton of snacks, peanut butter and jelly makings, and fruit. His home away from home is quite cozy with a small frig, toaster over, portable DVD player, and pics of his girls (including me) velcroed to the wall.
Life with Daddy gone has become routine and time seems to go by somewhat quickly. However, his two days went by like the speed of light. This past weekend included church, the pumpkin patch' and lots of daddy/daughter time that included giggling. On some of his trips home I get small windows of rest. This time was not one of those times. I did get two hours of uninterrupted grocery store time.....that may have been my rest.
So, here we go! Another two weeks of just the girls. I get tired, weary, but I am always blessed to raise the two most amazing girls.
Life with Daddy gone has become routine and time seems to go by somewhat quickly. However, his two days went by like the speed of light. This past weekend included church, the pumpkin patch' and lots of daddy/daughter time that included giggling. On some of his trips home I get small windows of rest. This time was not one of those times. I did get two hours of uninterrupted grocery store time.....that may have been my rest.
So, here we go! Another two weeks of just the girls. I get tired, weary, but I am always blessed to raise the two most amazing girls.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Time
I think most moms wish they had more time. Time is something that we can never get back. I remember when my oldest was born and every mom I encountered said the same things. "They grow up so fast." "Treasure these moments." You will look back one day and wonder where the time went." I tried never to take those words for granted but sometimes life just happens and time slips away.
Even though Meagan and Emily are almost just 5 and 3 years of age, I have been amazed recently at how fast time passes. I still remember every moment of childbirth with both girls. I remember them taking their first steps. I remember the first time one of them said "no" to me. I remember the first time they said "I love you" without being prompted. So many memories that seem like they happened yesterday.
I have wanted to write a blog for awhile now. It will help family and friends feel more connected, but honestly I am writing this for me. I look at this as somewhat of a journal and way to capture my thoughts and the happenings of my kids as time seems to go by faster and faster. Hopefully on this journey, I learn even more about myself as a mom, a wife, a daughter, and a friend. God has blessed me abundantly in all of these areas but I realize I need to continue to grow and be challenged.
So, for everyone reading, I invite you on this journey that God has our family on. So far it has been a crazy, fun filled and sometimes tough ride. I will blog about humorous moments in the past, current events, my thoughts and learnings from God, and whatever else comes to mind.
Even though Meagan and Emily are almost just 5 and 3 years of age, I have been amazed recently at how fast time passes. I still remember every moment of childbirth with both girls. I remember them taking their first steps. I remember the first time one of them said "no" to me. I remember the first time they said "I love you" without being prompted. So many memories that seem like they happened yesterday.
I have wanted to write a blog for awhile now. It will help family and friends feel more connected, but honestly I am writing this for me. I look at this as somewhat of a journal and way to capture my thoughts and the happenings of my kids as time seems to go by faster and faster. Hopefully on this journey, I learn even more about myself as a mom, a wife, a daughter, and a friend. God has blessed me abundantly in all of these areas but I realize I need to continue to grow and be challenged.
So, for everyone reading, I invite you on this journey that God has our family on. So far it has been a crazy, fun filled and sometimes tough ride. I will blog about humorous moments in the past, current events, my thoughts and learnings from God, and whatever else comes to mind.
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