Monday, November 26, 2012

Thanksgiving

My Internet is running so slow. I think dial up would be faster at this point. The pictures that I am going to post will be HUGE but there's no way for me to change them from my phone (that I'm aware of). I am aware that I am writing this post twice because I somehow deleted it.

Thanksgiving Day was amazing. The weather was wonderful and I learned to make my hubby's favorite sweet potato casserole . He loves it and next year he will be eating whatever they serve in the desert, I may have to make it again.

My big kids learned to ride a dirt bike. They had amazing confidence in learning. I was worried and proud all at once. My baby girl was just happy to sit when it wasn't cranked up. Great big thanks to my niece for allowing us to use her dirt bike.

We have celebrated Thanksgiving with friends and family all over the country. I am so thankful for all the people that God has brought to our table or allowed us to sit at their table. We would not be who we are without knowing the people we have known and experiencing the life we have lived.

Pictures of the infamous bike experience. You better believe that they want one of these for Christmas. Of course that makes my man excited, so I'm kinda praying he doesn't find one. Not this year anyway.





Thursday, November 15, 2012

I'm A Helper

I always have thought of myself as a leader. I thought I was pretty good at making decisions and stepping up to the plate when no one else wanted to lead. I'm beginning to think that I am a much better helper. I actually had help all those times when I was "leading."  Someone leading right beside, helping me along whatever path we are on together.  Some of our greatest friendships have come from leading together.

long weekends in the field = crashing in the chair

I think that is why I have handled being a military wife so well. I have moments of weakness, but I have enjoyed moving and setting up home in new areas. We have built our world around the up and downs of military life. My goals have always been to help my husband feel settled so that he can focus on his job.  The kids take a bit longer, making new friends is hard stuff. Mourning lost friends is even harder. 

My helper tendencies extend past my home. I love to help in our church with children's ministries and women's outreach. With the help of my great friend Kaleena, we lead a group of girls in Girl Scouts for 2 years. I've stepped up and helped with PTA/PTO and sports. 


Sometimes I have to say no. That has happened recently with Boy Scouts. I just could not help lead a troop of boys with this upcoming deployment. Especially since the Boy Scout Pack meets at the time that Scarlett needs to be getting ready for bed.  Caroline is getting close to being a babysitter, but not for long periods of time with a cranky toddler.

I hope that I can teach my kids that they can lead, but they can also be a helper. Sometimes the ones that are already leading just need help carrying the load.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Planning For Some (not so) Mundane Days

I am so happy to report that this sports season is winding down. We need a break. We need the mundane, but really it will not be so mundane because Christmas is here.  The kids are out of school for a week at Thanksgiving and the traditional 2 weeks at Christmas. It always goes by way to quickly.

I'm looking forward to doing some projects with the kids. There are plenty of options available, but keep the attention of 3 kids in different ages groups is difficult. 




  • Weekend visits with family

I know that my Scarlett will be full of excitement and curiosity this Christmas. We strolled through Hobby Lobby this evening and looked at the lights on the Christmas trees. Of, course she wanted to touch each one. 




Sunday, November 11, 2012

Happy Veteran's Day

If it wasn't for my veteran, I would have all these other blessing.

Thank you for your sacrifices Ryan!

We love you!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

It's OK! Feel Weary

I recently reread Hope for the Weary Mom: Where God Meets You in Your Mess and was encouraged all over again.  Stacey and Brooke not only give you a glimpse of what their weariness looks like, but they give us all permission to feel weary.

We can't always be that mom that has it all together. I am so hard on myself when I have to disappoint one of my kids. I cringe when I hear myself yelling at my kids or my husband. My job is mom, I'm not supposed to screw it up for everyone else, but I do (a lot).

Moms, hear me! Give yourself the chance to be weary. Give yourself the opportunity to feel defeated.  When you are at your worse, Jesus will meet and remind you that He loves you and He is here to help you.  We are not doing this by ourselves.

I'm a military spouse that's about to embark on over a year of my husband being deployed. I cannot imagine how weary I will get this time around. As a military spouse, we never ask for help because we are the strong ones that are left behind to hold it all together. I know that the women around me have bad days just like me. When we transitioned from active duty military service to National Guard the weariness seemed to descend on me as a cloud.  We are so busy, my house will become a mess, the kids will bicker, and everything that can go wrong will, but I am not alone.

 God will meet me right in that mess and join me as I pull myself together.

You can get your very own Kindle version of Hope for the Weary Mom on Amazon
You can get a paperback version of Hope for the Weary Mom on Amazon.

Read! Enjoy!