365 Days Ago

Amazingly enough, a year ago I did not know where I would be today.  With all the technology we have at our fingertips and the scientific brains I have in my household, I cannot predict the future.

This time last year, I was walking around, doing my everday thing, making plans to run in another half-marathon in April and possibly September.  I was working at school in the Counseling office and volunteering in my sons' classes.  We were planning a garden for spring/summer.  We were talking about a Spring Break and Summer vacation with my family.  I was taking Blake to basketball games, Noah to allergy shots and spending gobs of time with my then two-year old Andy.  We were doing homework and starting to work on Blake's LARGE second grade State project.

About a week later, at the beginning of February, I discovered something I hadn't included in any of those plans listed above - I was pregnant!  At first, Greg and I were a little shocked.  This wasn't something we had ruled out forever, we MIGHT have one more child.  But then again, we had also discussed being "DONE!"  The further you get away from babyhood, the harder it is to imagine going back.  And yet, here we were.....so obviously, the choice had been made for us by a much bigger planner than me!

All of a sudden, some of those plans began changing.

I began daydreaming about having another baby in the house.  I made lists of things we had to do - move the oldest two boys downstairs, get Andy in his "big" bed so we could reclaim the baby bed, paint the baby room, get a new stroller and carseat, go through baby clothes and toys and so many other things we needed to have done.

My how one small event can completely change "my" plans!

I am so blessed that God once again trumped my plans with HIS plans!  As Jeremiah said, "For I know the plans I have for you," said the Lord, "plans to prosper you, not to harm you; to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Now we have Jake and our world is obviously a little different than it was a year ago.  We've waded through the long months of pregnancy with expectation and a little anxiety.  We've rejoiced over the birth of another amazingly perfect baby boy.  We've gone groggily through those first few weeks of little sleep.  Now, he is four months old!  I cannot imagine our lives without him in them.

Isn't that crazy?

What is God doing in your life right now?  How has HE surprised you?  Is HE moving you to do something little or drastic?  Is HE urging you to consider a new job?  a smaller/bigger house?  a mission trip somewhere local or in another country?  Is HE urging you to reprioritize somethings in your family life?  Are you considering adoption or foster parenting?  Are you praying fervently for a child of your own?

TRUST in HIS unwavering promises.  HE never fails!

MOTHERHOOD & Mistakes

I saw this on someone's facebook status and LOVED it. 

I had to post it on here because it is SO true.

I have to confess that I think I am a much better mother now than I was eight and a half years ago when I started this journey.  Sometimes I feel like I owe Blake a big apology for the mistakes I made with him.  He was our first and we were definitely amateurs!

I learn new things from each child.  I have relaxed a lot.  I have realized that most mistakes can be fixed and undone.  I have realized when to "pick my battles".  I spend more time playing and less time worrying about my house.

"Mommy Guilt" is a horrible thing.  We have all suffered from it at some point.  There is no way we can be everything to everybody - only God alone is sufficient to provide for all our needs (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, etc).  When we stop trying to be "perfect" and just love our kids, we succeed!

One thing I hate about  myself is that I have a tendency to compare myself to other moms.  WHY?????  We are all so very different.  We each have different learning styles, parenting styles, organizational skills and priorities.  I know it is easy to look at some moms and think they have it "all together" and never make mistakes.  In the spirit of making someone else feel better - here is an example of my "OOPS" for the day.

I usually pride myself on being organized.  Today, I goofed.  It was the 100th day of school and Noah was supposed to take 100 items to contribute to a snack mix.  It was on the calendar.  His teacher sent a reminder email yesterday.  I remembered at 8:40 am - TODAY.  I was feeding the baby and in my pajamas.  I wrote his teacher and she said they weren't doing the snack thing until after art and their spelling test.  I hurriedly finished feeding Jake, got myself, Andy and Jake dressed and zoomed across town (driving the speed limit, of course).  The look of relief on his face was worth it!  So much for starting off my morning on the right foot :)

What are some lessons you have learned as a Mom or Dad?  What are some of your "OOPS" moments?