The absentee Blogger

The most recent and significant reason I have been absent on the blog is because I have started nursing school.  It is overwhelming and fun and hard and overwhelming.  It's been such an adjustment to shift some house duties to Chris.  It's also been challenging to not be picking up the kids every day.  Apparently, nursing school doesn't really care that I want to see my kids walk out of their schools.

I would show you a picture of me in my FANCY scrubs (sans jewelry) except I haven't even taken the time to get a picture.  I know I will want to remember this time once I recover from the PTSD of it all.  So hopefully soon.  In the meantime, I wanted to jot down some things about the nursing program.

- Block 1 is a potpurri of learning.  Nursing history, feedings and catheter care were all taught the same day. So weird.
- You have to be flexible.  I am glad I was warned about this.  Schedules, clinical sites and lab times all change from moment to moment.  You can't get your feathers ruffled.  Good thing I'm not a type A personality.
- When you decide to go to nursing school at 35, your perspective is different than a 22 year old.  And it should be.
- My study group has decided that Thursdays are going to be our "treat" day.  Which means we go to the cafeteria for lunch.  Yes, this is my new social low.
- I miss my family. I miss my friends.
- I am making new friends.  But friendship history and common interests are powerful things.  When I say,  "Assess the situation.  Gramps is dying." NONE of them knew what I was speaking of.  TERRIBLE. Just TERRIBLE.
- Hold me.

 

support

sup·port [suh-pawrt, -pohrt] verb (used with object) 1.to bear or hold up (a load, mass, structure, part, etc.); serve as a foundation for. 2.to sustain or withstand (weight, pressure, strain, etc.) without giving way; serve as a prop for. 3.to undergo or endure, especially with patience or submission; tolerate. 4.to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction: They supported him throughout his ordeal. 5.to maintain (a person, family, establishment, institution, etc.) by supplying with things necessary to existence; provide for: to support a family.

I have an amazing support system. One that I never take for granted, even if I don't say it enough! I have tried to write about this so many times, but I am so overwhelmed by the support in my life that I don't have words that can adequately express it. I have had seasons in my life where my support system held me up. They took me to the Rock over and over again when it seemed my foundation might crumble. They stood in the gap and interceded when the floods threatened my existence. They have sustained and withstood much pressure on my behalf and that of my children. They have had to tolerate much. Much. There are some who have provided sustenance- food, shelter, encouragement and prayer covering. And I have had countless individuals that have come alongside me to help maintain me as a woman, a mom and a Christian. To say I am blessed with an amazing support system feels like a gross understatement. I could live a thousand years and never feel as though I could express my gratitude. To those of you who walk with me day to day and those of you that have touched my life only once, I say a deep, heartfelt thank you.

Everyone should have goals

I have spent some time going back and reading some of the posts from our old blog and it takes me back to some times in my life where memories get fuzzy sometimes. I am so glad I have some of those things chronicled there. Which then allows me to look at this neglected blog and realize that I would like to put some attention back to it. I want to have a chronicle of this time of my life. I think I stopped posting when life got too raw and I just couldn't be that vulnerable. My life has changed significantly and I would like to be able to journal about it again. I have made many goals for this year. Here are some: *I want to be thoughtful about the things in our life. I need to give thought to each purchase and decide if I really need/want to add another thing. I feel like there is just.too.much.stuff. *I want this to be the year that I create some lifelong health habits. *I want to have a plan for the money in my life. I do not want to just earn and spend anymore. Dave Ramsey- here I come! *And I want to blog more. About real things that are going on in my life. About the things that I think about and that are on my heart. And post more pictures. Happy Monday, friends.

2012 Recap - Random Mom Style

 In true random mom fashion, we have decided to recap the 2012 year...in random order.  Without further ado:
February:  We had a Valentine's Celebration Dinner. Cheers! Please note that the 2 year old had the caffeinated beverage.

 And Chris brought his Valentines some chocolate.

 October: The kids did some pumpkin decorating.  Since it's still a million degrees here in October, it is better to just decorate the outside rather than carving a pumpkin.

May: Koli started preschool!  And Dareth survived with few tears.

 March:  Our church moved locations.  This was our last Sunday in the old building.  Many tears were shed by Dareth this day. All of our children were dedicated to the Lord in this building.

 August: The kids all started a new school year!

And the first school injury was sustained just a few days into the year.

 January:  The first trampoline injury occured. Poor Alivia.

 April:  Koleson and Brody "played" soccer, their first attempt at "organized" sports.  Neither one was a big fan.

June:  We surprised a dear friend with a trip to her dream vacation spot - London!

 We also took a weekend vacay to San Diego - so fun!

 November:  We spent lots of time at the State Fair - riding rides, playing games, petting animals, and eating corn and cucumbers on a stick!

July:  Dareth's children escaped the heat without her.  And Timmarie's family skipped town and headed to the Pacific Northwest. Dareth stayed behind and wept.  

 December: There were Christmas programs...

And visits with cross country friends...

And a cruise in which photographers make you pose with ridiculous props.  So we made the best of it.

September:  We hopped up to Vegas and got to meet Twitch from So You Think You Can Dance.

Why you probably don't want to be my friend

We are "dog-sitting" right now. Which is code for "we are testing out a couple of dogs to see if they will work well with our family."  One of the dogs pooped in the house and tried to eat it.

I promptly texted Dareth to tell her about the incident and that I hope Koleson doesn't do the same thing when he starts potty training next week.


 

All Fired Up

I am not someone who gets wrapped up in political discussions. I have my beliefs and convictions, but I dont feel the need to share them with others. I understand that others do. I even understand that when you believe in something that you may want to convince others that you are right. But what I have seen over the past days is terrible. I have been reading posts that say things such as we are doomed or that people will leave the country due to our president elect. I have even seen things that are much more pointed and directed at people groups. And each of these that I have referred to have been said in the name of Christianity. Now, I will readily admit that I misrepresent Christ at times. So please understand my heart. I am merely making observations and processing through that on this here blog. My intention is not to shame anyone for their comments. With that disclaimer, allow me to process my thoughts. Shaming others for their beliefs is not the same as speaking truth. Bullying others because of a stand on a specific issue is not giving others the opportunity to get to know your Jesus through you. Claiming all "real" Christians must belong to the same political party is polarizing and does not extend the hope that He promises. I dont pretend that my words and beliefs are always presented in a light that is pleasing to Him. I speak in my flesh too often. But my God is on the Throne today just like He was yesterday and He promises to be there tomorrow and for eternity. No matter who is in political office, which propositions passed or did not or which party I align ,yself with. If you will excuse me, I feel convicted to take a look at my own conversations and see them through these same filters.

The seasons are a changing

I hear rumor of this from other parts of the country.  Now, I can't deny that we are seeing signs of Fall as well.  It is just not what you expect to hear when you think "Fall".  Other parts of the country are talking about long sleeves and hot chocolate and colored leaves.  Here on the surface of the sun, we are looking at temps dropping into the 70's overnight and daytime temps dipping just below 100.  I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I am a little jealous.
It seems that as the literal season changes from summer to fall, life has taken on some changes of it's own.  As the summer crops are harvested and begin to die, I sense the same thing happening in life.  Our little family of three has settled into a solid routine over the spring and summer.  Solid routine was a nice change from the constant change of the previous years.  We relished it.  The kids are thriving.  They feel secure and happy and I see fruits of that throughout their lives.  So good for this mama's heart.  I was becoming comfortable.  I feel the undercurrent- change is a'comin.  There has been a new development that has effected the kid's weekly schedule.  Now, this certainly isn't the first time that a grown up in their life has made a similar decision that has impacted them.  But, for some reason, this feels bigger.  I sense the Lord preparing all of us for something different.  Maybe as the literal seasons change, we are about to experience a figurative change of seasons as well.  Some of the summer and fall is begin harvested and some of it has to die.  It has to die to allow new growth in the coming spring.  Please pray for my family as we face what could be a potential winter season.

Now, I don't want to project that things are terrible in these parts.  They really are not.  Life is happy and secure.  Through these changes, I have been able to witness fruits of maturity in my children.  They exhibit a sense of security that hasn't been shaken by every change like it was in the past.  They have a new found confidence in themselves, in the people in their lives, and more importantly, Alivia has found confidence in her God.  I am really proud of them.