When the Days Change

This week marked the beginning of a new path in our household. I started my official workweek yesterday, and with two days under my belt, I am trying to see the positive and the blessings ahead. I would be lying if I said it was all daisies and roses because here, in reality, it's hard to release the control I had over my days before, the freedom to get what I need to do done, and the ability to snuggle the little guy whenever I pleased.

Now, my hours are dictated by the time clock, and for the hours prior and following, I hold onto to every single second. Those grins and sticky fingers, those belly laughs and graham cracker smell, I soak it all in. I know I'm just down the hall, tucked away in my little corner of the house, but when I hear those laughs echoing through the walls, it takes everything I have not to join in.

And then I quietly pray, asking God to quiet my heart and help me find contentment. I ask Him to give me a grateful heart. It's difficult to do the very thing you know you need to do, but don't want to and fight the urge to. There are those who would be grateful to have a job, this I know. My husband tells me all day how proud of me he is and how thankful he is to be given the opportunity to work on school and be with our son.

So, for now, for this season, I work. The days are full, since with the close of one shift, another begins. My timecard for motherhood goes well into overtime, but it is the job that my heart finds peace and pure joy in. The days my be different, but my heart is unchanged.

Picture Palooza

Just a few peaks at the everyday.....



     Eating some tasty blueberries!

                                                             You lookin' at me, Mama?



                             Cheese!

Already my deep thinker.

Now to go snuggle him tons and beg the Heavens to slow time.

A Generational Get-Together

My grandfather is in town this week, which means my son has been enjoying the company of his great grandfather.

I believe, there are moments in life, when we sit back and soak it all in, our breath can easily be taken away. I have had a few of these moments this week. You see, my grandfather lost the love of his life, my grandmother, a few years ago to cancer. She was his North, he sense of direction, his home. As much as I miss my grandma, my heart breaks a little more when I see him sitting by himself, looking off into the distance. I can't help but cringe when I think of the dinners he eats alone, the holiday mornings with no one there. I best stop there before I cry.

Anyways, this week, there have been a few moments that I will keep with me for all eternity. My grandfather was singing to my son, and together they let out deep, belly laughs. There smiles and giggles are forever etched in my mind. Then, there was the scene of my husband and grandfather gathered around the fire pit on a chilly evening, swapping stories 'round the fire. Even with the soft glow of the flames, I can still see the smile across their faces.

We have a few more days together. I plan on taking it all in, while cooking hearty, nourishing meals, just like my grandma used to make. I love having a houseful of men who need meals to be cooked, laundry to be cleaned, dishes to be washed.

This was my grandmother with my aunt and my mom. She was the epitome of a gracious lady.

Now if you will excuse me, I have much to make in the kitchen in preparation for tomorrow. Cooking is part of my love language. Nothing says 'I love my family' better than a warm meal.

Working as a Team

When I said my vows three years ago, the pastor talked about marriage working as a team and by working together, the couple can achieve greatness. But apart, a couple will whither beneath the hardship of daily life.

My husband has been working his tail off all summer at various construction jobs, doing whatever he could for those who needed help or had an odd job. The only difficulty with such work is the lack of a steady paycheck. We prayed over our bills, asking God to fill the gaps and to meet our needs. Then September rolled around and my husband started his college classes again. (He decided two years ago to go back after a ten year hiatus.) The classes are time consuming, especially since he is a program that demands two classes every six weeks. I am so proud of my husband; he is resilient and strong, unwavering and determined.

I pray everyday my son grows up to be like his Dad.

God has blessed us again, and this time, it comes in the form of a job for myself. That's right, I will be going to work. But rather than spend my time in an office 8 hours a day, I will be working from home! My office will be here at home, and I will be able to have lunch with my kiddo and my husband. Not only do I get to work alongside my two favorite people, but I don't have a commute nor do I have to take any business trips. I was so happy to alleviate the financial burden from my husband who already is working hard in school. He deserves the opportunity to focus all his efforts on school in order to do his best.

I figured it would be selfish of me to ask my husband to go to school full-time and then turnaround and work a full-time job. He deserves the chance to spend time with the family as well.

So we will be working as a team, pulling out the playbook and rewriting the game plan a bit.

I'm not sure how this will work out, or if the job will be an ideal fit. But I don't need to know.

The Creator knows our needs and He knows our capabilities.