Here I am again. In a place I thought I was past. I thought I had gone through this wilderness already.
But here I am again.
I will be the first to admit - I don't understand God's plan. I don't see things the way He does. I see things from my limited view, and from where I sit, I have the perfect solution.
But what I've learned time and time again, is my ways are not God's ways. He sees the whole picture. He sees what I need to learn to make me more like Him. He sees what is best for everyone involved. He sees His Kingdom plan.
So even though I feel like I'm back in the wilderness, wandering around looking for the Promised Land, I have to follow His lead and go where He takes me. I have to stay on the path He has put in front of me.
Right now I'm only seeing the step I'm on. But I know when He's ready, He will show me the next step in the path. Until then I will wait. I will keep reading His Word, keep communicating with Him, and continue to seek His will.
I will continue to look for ways to help those around me. I will continue to look for His direction.
I will see interruptions as opportunities to do something for Him. I will live my daily life trying to be more like Christ each day. I will raise my kids to glorify God even when they don't see answers. I will be a supportive wife. I will be a friend to those that need it.
Am I perfect? NO WAY! Do I struggle? Absolutely. Do I always get it right? Not even close. Am I trying? Definitely!
If you are like me, and find yourself in your own wilderness, take heart! You are not alone. I am right here with you! And God is here to guide us to where we need to be. Let's do this together!
Hugs!
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Teenagers
I know when some people hear the word "teenagers" they immediately roll their eyes. "Oh don't get my started on teenagers." I hear that a lot. Maybe it's because we have worked with teens for years, but I don't feel that way.
I have 3 amazing teens! My oldest daughter just turned 13 a week ago. My oldest child is 15. We are about a month away from having a DRIVER in the house! Now that scares me!
I have a great relationship with all my kids. And that includes my 15 year old son. He still wants to talk to me. I love that! We have had many wonderful conversations over the years. But the last few ones have been really amazing.
He recently started dating. (AAHHH) We encouraged our kids from the time they were young to focus on school not relationships. I don't see a need for my kindergartner to be thinking about boyfriends. That's ridiculous. Middle school has enough drama in it without adding boyfriends/girlfriends to the mix. So we always told our kids - focus on school. You are there to learn not date. And so far they have done that. They get amazing grades, participate in sports and activities, have tons of friends, and don't spend their evenings worrying if some boy or girl likes them. I love it! And it has saved them so much heartache! They have told me stories about their friends, and they see this is a smart way to do things.
But my oldest is in high school, and he asked me if he could start dating. He had thought it through, presented his case, asked our permission, and we agreed to let him. Then we went over guidelines and expectations. He already had a young lady in mind that he wanted to start dating. He asked, and she said yes. And that started a new chapter in our lives - having kids that date.
I have been so proud of him. We've had many conversations the last few months, and I am amazed at how mature he has become. Don't get me wrong - he's not perfect, and he still has his moments when he drives me crazy. But I've watched him grow and mature, and it is a wonderful thing.
Last week the relationship ended, and it ended badly. Both made mistakes, but it was an eye-opening experience for my son. He came to me and wanted to talk about it. So we spent a couple of hours talking - in the middle of the night. But listening to my son talk about seeking God's plan, learning to follow God's direction even when he doesn't understand, and asking people to pray for him... I couldn't have been more proud of him. He has a good head on his shoulders. He's been raised the right way. He's a Christian, and a growing one at that.
So yes, I have enjoyed every stage of motherhood so far - pregnancy, infant, toddler, school age, tween, and now teen. I feel sorry for those that wish away the teen years. Or those that say the teen years are so we don't miss them so badly when they leave home. Because I am loving the teen years with my kids. Of course there are more to enter their teen years in the future, and I may change my tune. But for now, I say - Bring it on!
xoxo
I have 3 amazing teens! My oldest daughter just turned 13 a week ago. My oldest child is 15. We are about a month away from having a DRIVER in the house! Now that scares me!
I have a great relationship with all my kids. And that includes my 15 year old son. He still wants to talk to me. I love that! We have had many wonderful conversations over the years. But the last few ones have been really amazing.
He recently started dating. (AAHHH) We encouraged our kids from the time they were young to focus on school not relationships. I don't see a need for my kindergartner to be thinking about boyfriends. That's ridiculous. Middle school has enough drama in it without adding boyfriends/girlfriends to the mix. So we always told our kids - focus on school. You are there to learn not date. And so far they have done that. They get amazing grades, participate in sports and activities, have tons of friends, and don't spend their evenings worrying if some boy or girl likes them. I love it! And it has saved them so much heartache! They have told me stories about their friends, and they see this is a smart way to do things.
But my oldest is in high school, and he asked me if he could start dating. He had thought it through, presented his case, asked our permission, and we agreed to let him. Then we went over guidelines and expectations. He already had a young lady in mind that he wanted to start dating. He asked, and she said yes. And that started a new chapter in our lives - having kids that date.
I have been so proud of him. We've had many conversations the last few months, and I am amazed at how mature he has become. Don't get me wrong - he's not perfect, and he still has his moments when he drives me crazy. But I've watched him grow and mature, and it is a wonderful thing.
Last week the relationship ended, and it ended badly. Both made mistakes, but it was an eye-opening experience for my son. He came to me and wanted to talk about it. So we spent a couple of hours talking - in the middle of the night. But listening to my son talk about seeking God's plan, learning to follow God's direction even when he doesn't understand, and asking people to pray for him... I couldn't have been more proud of him. He has a good head on his shoulders. He's been raised the right way. He's a Christian, and a growing one at that.
So yes, I have enjoyed every stage of motherhood so far - pregnancy, infant, toddler, school age, tween, and now teen. I feel sorry for those that wish away the teen years. Or those that say the teen years are so we don't miss them so badly when they leave home. Because I am loving the teen years with my kids. Of course there are more to enter their teen years in the future, and I may change my tune. But for now, I say - Bring it on!
xoxo
update
I took a break from blogging for a while. My life can get very crazy. I don't always have time to sit down and type out my thoughts. And let's be honest, I get insecure about people reading my thoughts. I've seen blogs where the author is trashed by people that don't agree with them. I don't understand that kind of hatred.
But I decided to go ahead and update, and slowly get back to putting thoughts out there.
In the years since I blogged, I have had another baby. Yes, we now have 7. We added another girl. We are so truly blessed.
While I was pregnant, we decided to move across state. Yes, I like to do crazy things when I'm pregnant - care for a daughter in a body cast, move, etc. Keeps life exciting.
Kidding
We usually have no control over these things. They just seem to pile up at once. And that's what happened.
Then a few months after my daughter was born, my husband deployed. Super awesome. He was gone for 6 months. And our lives got interesting.
But we have some amazing friends that we've made since moving - all found through our church - and they helped me get me through.
So now my hubby is back. And we are just doing life. The kids are now 15, 14, 13, 9, 6, 3, 1. We currently do track, soccer, and gymnastics. And I haven't gone insane yet. Yay me!
So there's our update. Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo
But I decided to go ahead and update, and slowly get back to putting thoughts out there.
In the years since I blogged, I have had another baby. Yes, we now have 7. We added another girl. We are so truly blessed.
While I was pregnant, we decided to move across state. Yes, I like to do crazy things when I'm pregnant - care for a daughter in a body cast, move, etc. Keeps life exciting.
Kidding
We usually have no control over these things. They just seem to pile up at once. And that's what happened.
Then a few months after my daughter was born, my husband deployed. Super awesome. He was gone for 6 months. And our lives got interesting.
But we have some amazing friends that we've made since moving - all found through our church - and they helped me get me through.
So now my hubby is back. And we are just doing life. The kids are now 15, 14, 13, 9, 6, 3, 1. We currently do track, soccer, and gymnastics. And I haven't gone insane yet. Yay me!
So there's our update. Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo
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