Being Present

So my New Year's resolution this year was "to be present". This is a hard thing for me to do. I'm a go-getter and don't really like to sit still.  Sometimes I think I'm addicted to being busy and that even means too busy for my son and my family. I have been known to come home and instead of play with Judah when he asks, I would say, "Wait just a second baby, I will as soon as I do the dishes" and inevitably don't stop DOING until the opportunity has passed.
I DON'T want to be that kind of mom or wife.
So on to the task at hand.
Be present.
Play with Judah. Listen to Justin when he talks to me instead of being immersed in Pinterest or other social media that tends to suck me in.
I'd say I'm off to an OKAY start. I think it's an awareness thing. I have made myself aware that I'm not always present and catch myself when I may be preoccupied and stop what I'm doing. Besides, the dishes will STILL be there in a few hours, right? (Too bad those bad boys don't do themselves.)

Although I don't post as often as I used to, you know because I'm trying to be present, I still try to find the time to read encouraging blogs. This is one blog that continues to encourage me...especially this post. I look up to this woman even though I've never met her and especially since we don't have a "lead Pastor's wife" at my church. (that's a whole other blog) So, I can relate to her and love this blog entry. Check it out.

Holly Furtick - Balance

 

Overdue Update

So, I wrote that last post a few months ago but never posted it. Not sure why. I still feel the same way though. :)

I just got back to work after enjoying 2 glorious weeks of Christmas Vacation. It was wonderful. Seriously. It was a bit bizarre. Ahh...the joys of working at a school. I tried to take it all in. I spent lots of time with my Judah-man and with both sides of our family. I took a nap almost everyday. I shopped. And..I ATE!! Boy, did I ever eat! I have started working out at the state-of-the-art gym here at the school I work at so, i guess i will work it off sooner or later.

Santa was in full swing this year. Judah was ALL about it, even though we had to practically bribe him to sit on his lap. He was fascinated that Santa came to OUR house. Also, as the Christmas decorations started going up, his phrase was "there's Christmas right THERE". So wherever there were lights or trees it was Christmas at that very spot. It was adorable.

While on my 2 week break, we really focused on potty training. Judah is almost 3 and we have been working on this for SEVERAL months. He has had #1 down, but #2 is a different story. I had always heard that boys were harder to potty train. WOW. SO true! But we did it after several ruined pairs of underwear and lots of loads of laundry. SO happy to be through that phase! Now I'm wondering if I really want to go back to square one with diapers! (no i'm not pregnant)

Other happenings:

- I'm an Aunt again. Jason and Claire had their first daughter, Emery Elizabeth Johnson. She's beautiful and she loves me.

- Joyce is preggo again and is going to be giving me my first nephew. Excitement.

- Justin's Photography business is really picking up. We did several weddings together this past fall. He's even gotten several gigs here at my work for headshots and such. Yay.

-I am currently planning Judah's 3rd birthday party. It will be a circus theme and it's sure to be a wild and crazy time. I can't believe my baby is getting so big. He looks more like a little boy now. Sad.

I will leave you with this picture of Judah around Halloween.

Grateful

Grateful.

This word does not even begin to explain how I feel. I am at such a wonderful point in my life. I LOVE my job. I LOVE my family. I LOVE our church.

It's such a strange feeling to NOT dread getting up in the morning to go to work. I actually enjoy my job. What a strange and lovely feeling. I know that God reserved this job for me and kept it to just the right time. My co-workers are amazing, especially my boss. I was so worried about the whole boss thing. I had an AMAZING boss at my last job (which is probably why i stayed there for so long). I was worried i wouldn't have another boss that was so encouraging, flexible and understanding. Well I guess that's why God tells us not to worry. He took care of it ALL!!

Grateful.

It's funny how your work can change your home-life. I have been such a happier, probably more pleasant person to be around. In hindsight i hate that i let my other job affect me in such a negative way at home.

Grateful.

It's not that I'm living in a fairytale right now. There are still hardships and challenges as in with any journey, but i feel like I'm looking at things through different eyes.

I know this post is quite Pollyanna, so sorry for those who may not what to hear all this positivity...but maybe you need to hear it. I don't know. I really am on a mission to not be so negative. I know i have been that way in the past, even to the point that my husband would say "Can't you say anything positive?" Wow, what a wake-up call.

So, to the nay-sayers...I say. "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!"

Grateful.

New Job

Well folks, I have a new job! That's right. God is so good. Hang tight, and read below for a true picture of God's favor!

I have been working at my current job, an investment firm, for almost 6 years. I have no doubt in my mind that I was supposed to work here for a season, I just didn't know how long that season would be. I have truly had the BEST boss anyone could ever ask for and have learned so much while here. I was able to wear many different hats and gain quite a bit of responsibility for the company. However, since i didn't want to get the required licenses, I didn't really have anywhere to go in the company. I was content because I HAD a job with a wonderful boss.
I wasn't really looking for a job when the new opportunity presented itself to me. A friend of mine from church said she thought I would be a great fit for the place where she works, a prestigious private school here in town. (Lake Highland Prep School) I thought well that could be a good fit. So, I sent in my resume. It was for a position in the Admissions office. (I had previous admissions experience while attending Lee University, so i hoped that might stand out on my resume) I didn't get my hopes up. I truly put it in God's hands. I prayed "Your will be done, Lord!". I heard there were around 100 applicants. I thought my chances were slim.
I got a call for an interview! I was one of 10. It went well. I enjoyed talking to the Director of Admissions. She was so warm and I thought we clicked.
I got a call 2 weeks later. Another interview to meet the staff in that office. I was one of 3.
I week later i got a call and she offered me the job. WOW!! Now the clincher. Would the pay be comparable to my current income?! IT IS!!! And there are tons of perks. I get 2 weeks off at Christmas, 1 week off at Thanksgiving, Fall Break, Spring Break and all the other school holidays with the exception that I work through the summers. Oh and the huge thing...Judah gets to go there starting with K-4 all the way through 12th grade. What a fantastic education he will get. Oh and it's a faith-based school.
God was totally orchestrating all of it. I didn't have to ask off of work for either of the interviews, I just happened to already be off. Also, i have always said that "working in a school is an ideal job for a working mom". I just never thought i had the chance to do that because I didn't have a teaching degree or certification. GOD knew better.
I accepted the job and i start on Monday!!! I am excited and nervous about the change. But, i know that GOD has planned this out for me. Even all the way back 10 years ago when I got the job in Admissions at Lee. He knew this was in my future. WOW. God is SO good.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you",declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Humble Pie

Have you ever had to eat a slice or even a whole humble pie? Well I have, many times in my little short life. Just recently my husband, being the awesome youth pastor that he is, felt called to talk about Grace and Forgiveness. I thought it was such a great series especially since it’s such a HUGE concept. I mean really, can we fully grasp Grace? Justin defined it as “Unmerited Favor”. WOW. I’m so thankful for God’s grace in my life. Just like the song says, “If not for Grace where would I be?...” So during his series we broke out one week into c-groups (connection groups) as I began to talk to my group about Forgiveness, more specifically, asking them if there was anyone they needed to forgive, I began to self-examine. I realized that there was someone in my life that I needed to forgive. Yikes. My spirit began to sink. How could I encourage these teens to forgive those who possibly hurt them, when I hadn’t done that very thing!?! So then the conviction set in. (Don’t cha just love that feeling?) I knew I had to do it and had to do it right then. I found the person who had hurt me 5 years ago. That’s right 5 years I had hung on to the hurt and pain. A bitterness had formed in me. I had known for quite some time that I needed to get this off my chest but continued to repress it, because, you see, I HATE confrontation. I don’t think you will meet a less confrontational person. I just want everyone to get along and for flowers and sunshine in my life. So I prayed for courage and humility and approached this person with tears and trembling asking for THEIR forgiveness. You see it was them that needed to forgive me. Yes, I felt that they had hurt me, but it was me that held the bitterness and resentment towards them in my heart. This person was shocked that I was hurt at this circumstance that took place 5 years ago and come to find out it was just a huge misunderstanding. They asked for forgiveness as well and we hugged it out. *SIGH* What a relief to get that off my chest. It was like instant FREEDOM. If I began to tell you all the things God has begun to do in me since that night you would be in shock. I truly feel that it was holding me back. In so MANY ways! Have you ever had a freeing moment in your life? I’d love to hear them! Ephesians 31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Update

So it's been forever since I have blogged. I have a few drafts that Ive been working on, but until I'm done with them, i thought I'd give you an update on the business of our lives.

you know i thought life was supposed to slow down after the holidays and new year were over. NOT SO. It has been NON-stop for us. Tons of youth events, possible home renovations, Judah's 2nd birthday (hard to believe), Photography business, the list goes on and on and on!! Thing is I like it busy. I may complain about it, but i wouldn't have it any other way. I like our fast paced life.

Judah is now 2. WHAT? Seriously where does the time go? I have lots more pictures to post so, you'll just have to settle for this one right now. This is Judah on his actual birthday with his birthday balloon. We kept it pretty low key this year. I decided we would have a big birthday bash every other year for him until he's 5 and then we'll figure something else out. Those parties are a lot of work, a lot of money and let's face it, he doesn't need more toys! I made mini Mikey Mouse cupcakes and took them to his school. They were devoured before we could even sing "Happy Birthday". lol. Then Justin and I took him to the Central Florida Zoo. It was perfect for him. The zoo is not too big and we were done by nap time. OH and they have a miniature train, which Judah just LOVED riding. It was a fun family day.

That night we took him to T-REX restaurant at Downtown Disney to meet up with Justin's family (from Tampa) and some of our close friends. He was a little scared of the animated T-Rex.

A week or two later we heard that the Ringling Bros. Circus was coming, so we ended up taking Judah with a few of our very best friends. It was fun. You're never too old for the circus. (Boys and girls of all ages, right?) He sat through most of it with no problem. Next year i think he will like it better, but the Elephants were by FAR his favorite.

Judah is such a trip right now. He's talking up a storm. Singing ALL the time and just full of personality. He's talking in FULL sentences with up to 6 words in them. His newest favorite statement is "Not Yet Mommy" or "Just a minute" (while holding up his little finger.

He can count to 13.

His repertoire of songs are:

Jesus Loves Me

The Itsy bitsy Spider

Row, Row, Row your boat

Take me out to the ball game

Twinkle, Twinkle

A, B, C's

Jesus Loves the Little Children

I'm know there's more, I just can't think of them right now.

Don't get me wrong, the tantrums are in full effect, but for the most part he's a good kid. I love being a mom and honestly would love to have another one. Yeah it's hard work, but I love him more than i could have ever imagined.

Oh and my kisses make everything "all better". Love it.

Justin's Photography business is going well. He's staying busy (as if youth ministry wasn't busy enough, right? lol) We are grateful for the potential to make extra money and he's just so darn talented. I mean seriously he's so good. He does it all. He leads worship, he's a youth Pastor, he edits videos, he's a photographer, he's a handyman, daddy, husband, counselor, SUPERMAN. Seriously.

Our church is awesome and we still LOVE being here...6 years later!! Honestly, we love our church, church family, church vision and Pastor. We are so blessed to be here and God is doing awesome things here. It has been an incredible year with lots of milestone events already!!

Are you bored yet? Next time i promise I will have more pictures. But I'll leave you with this "Wounded warrior" picture. Notice the bruise on the right side of his forehead. Poor little dude.

2011 - Faith for the Unknown

Well Happy New Year. I'm not sure who still reads this blog, but my blog, I've found has given me an outlet to SO many inspirational blogs. Blogs about Design and blogs about "Preacher's Wives." People who I don't know but feel somehow connected to. Weird.

With this year, I have a lot going through my mind.

First of all I'm back to work, Full - FULL time. For the first year of Judah's life I was blessed enough to stay home with him every Wednesday, careful to keep my hours at 30 per week which is still considered full time since I am the insurance provider for our family. It was bliss. Then this past year I thoroughly enjoyed working 7 hour days. Coming in at 8:30 and leaving at 4:00 to pick up my favorite little boy. Well with the ringing in of 2011, came the ringing reality. Back to 40 hours a week. I have had a very hard time with this. I know it's better for us financially and that is very important, but selfishly want my 5 hours of extra time back. You may think 5 hours a week isn't that big a deal...well for this momma it was HUGE. I got to spend time with my little man in the mornings before work. (Now I don't see him at all) I got to pick him up early from preschool (not to mention avoiding all the traffic of the normal 8 to 5ers out there) which gave me one on one time with the cutest kid around before Daddy got home from work. Also, the extra time helped with the flexibility of time off. If i had a Dr. apt, i could easily make it up one day by working an 8 hour day instead of using sick time. I could go on and on.

Back to Reality.

I'm now 40 hours a week. Happy to have a job. Happy to have a job with a great boss. Happy to have had the 2 years of a more relaxed work schedule. Happy to have a husband who has been very understanding. Change is hard, but we...I will all adjust.

With the new year also comes sometimes a "Fear of the Unknown". I struggle (always have) with worry. I worry about stupid things. I worry about the future. I worry about germs. I worry about money. These are all things I can't control. I have to say I'm excited for a new year, a new start and a fresh calendar with what I'm sure will hold exciting events and scary mountains to climb. It's the mountains I'm fearful of. Thank GOD, what lies ahead for 2011 is not a surprise or a shock to HIM. He knows what our future holds, what mountains are there, and is there with me to climb the hardest mountains. His truth will remain in spite of my worry. His love will remain in spite of my doubt. Thank God for His provision. I am praying that I will have "Faith for the Unknown" in 2011.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NCV) "God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control."