Thankful

My morning devotions were about being thankful for all the amazing things God has done. Then, today's sermon, was from 1 Thes. 5, about having an attitude of gratitude. I can be a little slow on the uptake sometimes, but I figured God is using those two things to change my perspective. The pastor said something that struck a chord with me..."It's hard to say 'Thank You, God' when you're grumbling and complaining." After church I was thinking about the sermon and I realized that, for the first time in years, I have not used November to acknowledge my blessings on a daily basis. How could I forget something so important? So, I'm going to give it to you all in a lump sum.....
First and foremost, I am thankful for my Heavenly Father Who loves me despite my imperfections.
Second, I am thankful for my husband who is my biggest supporter in life.
Third, I am thankful for our boys who bring so much laughter and joy to our lives.
Fourth is our family. My parents continually amaze me. I strive to be the kind of parents they've been to me and my brother.

The rest of what I am thankful for is in no particular order. It's just what comes to mind when I type:
.* Our health. Yes, we get sick and have aches/pains but, after listening to a testimony of someone at church today, it makes me appreciate our good health even more.
* Our beautiful house. I love our subdivision and so many things about our house.
* Our crazy dogs. Our puppy drives me crazy but the dogs make us laugh every day.
* Our friends. It was a struggle for me to make friends when we first moved here. Now I have a solid tribe, as do the boys. I am also thankful for my West Coast friends, with whom I still keep in contact.
* The boys' school. I was nervous about them starting a new school this year but it has been a real blessing.
* Our cars. They are reliable and one of them is paid off. (YAY!!)
* Our fridge. We have so many choices of food every time we open the door. Even when we're "low" on groceries, we still have so much more than many others.
* My new niece. She's beautiful and hopefully I will get to hold her in my arms someday SOON.
* Photography. It provides a creative outlet for me and brings in some income for our family.
* Our jobs. It is nice to have a steady income and I am thankful that my job is flexible enough that there's not much I miss out with when it comes to the boys.
* Means to travel. We have been able to go to so many places this year, introducing the boys to new places and revisiting some "old" favorites.
* Heating and A/C. We live in the South so enough said.
* Freedom of religion and free speech. This almost gets me emotional because I love that we live in a country where we can say what we want and worship at the church of our choice.
* Cooler weather. I am thankful for it for many reasons (Can anyone say "No humidity??") but I love that it just naturally slows down life a little. The other night I told Rob I was going to bed early because I was bored...and it made me happy to admit that I had nothing to do.
* Football. Not NFL or even college football. I am thankful for the boys' football teams. It's been fun watching them play this season.
* My students. They are such a blessing. I love the interaction I have with them on a daily basis.
* Our neighbors. I am thankful that we have a close knit community on our street, who watches out for each other and offers help when needed.
* Books. How do people live without books? Reading is my escape from reality and I love how my imagination goes wild when I read a good book.
* Our bed. Last night was a rough night with the boys coughing and P snoring. So, on that note, I am thankful for the nap I'm about to take.

I hope that you take a few minutes to acknowledge what you are thankful for. There is so much that we take for granted and I want to start being more purposeful in my gratitude, for the many blessings in our lives.

Alone Time

I have wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. At one point, in my twenties, I was told that I would most likely not be able to have kids. I remember calling my mom as I was leaving the surgeon's office, bawling my eyes out because of that possibility.
Now that I have two wonderful boys, I love spending every minute with them. Weekends are my favorite because we lounge around, cuddle, explore new things, go for walks, watch family movies. All my life I've dreamt of being a mom, doing these things. That's why I can't understand when parents choose to be away from their child(ren) often (I am not talking about divorce or a job situation). I'm not judging. I just don't understand because, with my boys, is my favorite place to be.
That being said, Rob took the boys to deer camp last weekend. And I'll be honest. I cherished my alone time. I went to dinner with one friend, not worrying about getting home in time to say goodnight to the boys. The next day I spent the day doing a 15 mile garage sale with a different friend and it was nice not having to worry if I was affecting anyone else's schedule. I fell asleep on the couch one night, drank hot coffee in a quiet house both mornings, got to watch what I wanted (and I can guarantee it wasn't PJ Masks, Paw Patrol, Dude Perfect or any of the Sharer brothers) at the volume I wanted. It was nice and I felt refreshed by the time the boys got home Sunday afternoon.
Would I want to have an "alone weekend" more than once every few months? Probably not. I love my time with my boys way too much. But, once in a blue moon, it's nice to recharge, live a weekend in relative silence, be on my own agenda. Because in the long run, I think that alone time helps me be a better mom- a goal I'm always striving for!

Hello Fall!!

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. However, it is a very busy time of year. This Fall is no exception. We're only halfway through the month and I feel like we've already done a year's worth of stuff these past few weeks!
While I try to give equal blog time to both boys, this has been quite a month for our All American athlete, our youngest son. The first weekend of the month he finished his soccer season. It wasn't his best one yet, and his team didn't win too many games, but he still said he wants to sign up again for Spring soccer. He had a one day break before beginning Football season. It's his first time playing, but it's no surprise that he's a natural. He loves it and I can't wait until he starts playing his games. If Soccer and Football weren't enough, he also tried Mutton Bustin' at the local rodeo. To say he loved it is an understatement. He stayed on for a lot longer than I thought he would and as soon as he fell off, he hopped back up, wanting to find his discarded cowboy hat. As we walked to the car, he was telling us all about how he wants to ride sheep and then ponies and then bulls. His daddy gave him a resounding "no" in response to his new goals in life. Ha!
To top it off, he is officially toothless as of last week. OK, he still has most of his teeth but he hasn't the cutest gap where his bottom 2 teeth used to be. He lost his first tooth on my birthday night. He loved that he got money, but was upset that the Tooth Fairy hadn't left him a coloring sheet like she had when P lost his tooth at my parents' house. I had forgotten about that so thankfully my parents came to the rescue and sent one for him. Last night he lost another bottom tooth. This morning, he proudly came into our room, waving a $2 bill, stating that he got another $5 and he can't wait to see what the Tooth Fairy left for him at Gee and BobBob's (my parents') house. He cracks me up!
If all that wasn't enough excitement, we added a new family member to the bunch. The boys and I had gone to the annual Fall Fest the first Saturday of the month. Now, let me preface it by saying that P and I would adopt every dog if possible. We know that we can't go to adoption events because we always want to take every single dog home with us. That being said, he and I have shown great restraint the past few years in passing up several puppies we have fallen in love with. However, earlier this month, we couldn't pass up a little black puppy with a few white patches. Both boys and I fell in love with him so we talked Rob into letting us adopt him. His name is Charlie and he is a lovebug! He does not like to be away from his people and lets the world know how unhappy he is about being left alone. E promptly announced that since Fetcha is more P's dog than anyone else's then Charlie would be his. E's become a good dog owner- taking him out to go to the bathroom, cleaning up messes, feeding him, finding the perfect chew toys for him. Charlie, like most puppies, gets into everything, likes to chew on things, whines when he's left in a crate and has accidents. But I can tell that he's going to be an even more AWESOME dog once we get past this puppy phase. Even when he frustrates me by waking me up with his whining or having an accident in the house right after I've taken him outside, I still love that little rascal. And so do the rest of us (Fetcha included)! I am glad we waited to find the perfect puppy for our family because he was worth the wait.
And the icing on the cake...for me at least? My surprise birthday party! Every year, for as long as I've known Rob, I've told him that all I want is a surprise birthday party. Well, this year he pulled it off! He had given me just enough clues to really peak my curiosity but I thought he was going to take me to an outside concert. I met up with 2 girlfriends to go to lunch, get pedis and do a Fall craft. Then they took me home, where some of my close friends were waiting to surprise me. Rob catered dinner for us and bought the BEST ice cream cake I've ever had. It was a great evening of fun and friendship, a memory I will always cherish.
So, there you have it. A very busy month. Throw in a Kindergarten fieldtrip to the pumpkin patch, football practices 3 days a week, a busy few weeks for Rob, an awards lunch for the boys today, a movie night at my school tonight, a 4-H meeting for P tomorrow morning, Straight A report cards for both boys, a big photography project for me and the other usual hoopla and you have one very busy family life. But, like I've said a million times, I wouldn't have it any other way. I fall into bed every night, with a smile on my face, knowing I am truly blessed to be living this life.

Perspective

I wrote 4 goals to accomplish in 2018. I'm on my way to making sure 3 of them are accomplished by the end of December. But, one of them I've struggled with: Choosing joy every day. It's always been easy for me to see the negative side of things. I try not to let it show but sometimes it does. Sometimes I say ugly things about others in an attempt to make myself feel better. Sometimes I  put myself into a funk, focusing on the negative.

But, twice this week, my morning devotions focused on perspective. Then I read an Instagram story about a lady who changed her perspective toward her husband, which helped their marriage tremendously. It was the wake up call I needed.

So yesterday, I focused on changing my perspective. For example, when one of my students told me he lost his glasses, instead of thinking "Well, that's typical. Of course he did." I thought "How can I help him be successful in my class until he finds his glasses?" I also went to the place where he said he lost them and asked if they had been returned to Lost and Found. When I was at Spin class, struggling to finish class, instead of grumbling about how hard it was, I focused on the fact that it may be the only time I get to the gym this week so I better give it 110%. I'll be honest. This last situation took some prayer to change my perspective because it's a constant pet peeve of mine. Rob came in from work and immediately fell asleep. At first I thought, "Really? He's been gone for 10 days and he can't even take time to play with the boys outside or do yard work?", "He kept me up most of the night, snoring, and yet he can come in and go to sleep while I help P with homework and do my own schoolwork?" I'm not gonna lie. I had this mentality until I left for the gym. But then I prayed about it and slowly changed my mindset to, "I'm glad I have a husband who works hard enough to come home tired at the end of his work day." 

Feeding on the negative doesn't do any good. In fact, it takes a lot of unnecessary energy. It also doesn't make you any fun to be around. So, I am working on changing my perspective, finding the positive, the good, instead of the negative. I am excited to finish 2018 strong and to CHOOSE JOY every day!

Camping Blues

I am supposed to be floating around a lazy river right now instead of blogging. I am supposed to be embracing the heat instead of grumbling about it. I am supposed to be camping. And, to be honest, I am a little melancholy that I am not. BUT, there's too much good this weekend to be in a funk. P is at his best friend's birthday party, having a blast no doubt. E has a pseudo sleepover last night, which ended at 10pm with both five year olds in tears- one because he wanted his mommy and one because he didn't want his mommy, but wanted his best friend to stay. Before the tears, however, we had fun at putt-putt golf and Chuck E Cheese (Thank you to whoever created the unlimited time play cards. You're a genius!). Today E's best friend came back over so he could go sweat to death with me on the sidelines, keeping me company during E's soccer game by telling me who he was taller than, who he could run faster than, who he could outplay in soccer. Then we had ice cream for lunch because, well, that's probably what we would've done if we had been camping. But, out of all the good that has happened this weekend, the best was a phone call I had with Rob this morning. He recently took a new job within his company after "beating out" over 30 applicants. The supervisor told him at the time that he knew Rob would be good for the job but he still had hesitations because the other three finalists were as, or more so, qualified for the position. That same supervisor called him yesterday to tell him that he is very impressed with the reports he's received while Rob's been on the storm work. He said that he knew he had done right when he offered Rob the position but that decision has been magnified over the past 10 days. I had no doubt from the get go that Rob was perfect for the job. He's the best of the best in line work and knows what needs to be done. He is also a workaholic and puts his job before just about anything else. So, for one of the big wigs to not only be informed of that but to call Rob and commend him on it made me more proud than I already am of him. Being away from us hasn't been easy and, while I miss him terribly, the boys have been stellar while he's been away. So that has helped tremendously. But, knowing Rob's on the road, heading our way even as I write this, and knowing that other people see in him what I've known for the past 11 1/2 years made the time apart worth it. There will always be another camping trip, another weekend to create those memories. I'm just glad that we've created the memories that we have this weekend...and even more glad that  Rob soon will be home to join in on them with us!

Theme Song(s)

Sometimes songs get stuck in my head. I wake up singing them. I go through the day singing them. I fall asleep thinking about them. I wake up in the middle of the night with the lyrics spinning through my mind. I think the reason my current song of choice, "Life Changes" by Thomas Rhett, has a permanent playlist in my head is because it coincides with real life at the moment.
I'm a "plammer". I have things written on the calendar months in advance. I make lists on my phone and around the house of different things, activities for the boys, vacations, etc. But, one thing I have really been working on in recent years is being more flexible. I'm learning to enjoy the moment instead of having it planned to a "T". I am learning that plans can change and life will keep on keeping on even if everything gets changed around.
I am also learning that, although we have not perfected it yet, Rob and I have really got this teamwork thing working for us. We make a busy life, with two active boys and two demanding jobs, happen with the support of each other. Because, "Life's a dance. You learn as you go....." (John Michael Montgomery) in case you're wondering.) We communicate and formulate plans on how to get everything done.
So that's why I'm working on the "being flexible" part of life right now. Rob is currently supervising crews on storm work, which threw a wrench in this weekend and next weekend's plans. This weekend he was going to hang out with the boys at E's soccer game and a birthday party while I hosted a baby shower. Next weekend we were all excited about camping at a luxury RV resort. Since we haven't camped since moving here, I think I was looking forward to it the most. But, you know what? Life changes and plans have to be rearranged. I have to ask for help and be ok with it. I'm not going to pretend to have it all together because I've been spoiled in recent years, having Rob around all the time. I'm not going to pretend that I'm not just a tad stressed out about this weekend or more than a little disappointed that we won't be camping next weekend. But it's not the end of the world. I am happy that Rob can help people in a time of need. I am happy that we have two awesome boys who step up to the plate when Daddy is gone to help me out. I am happy that I have inlaws who will help with the boys this weekend. I am happy that the RV resort will still be around when Rob gets back and we can go camping as a family once things get back to normal. I am happy that we've got friends here who check in on me and Rob, asking if they can help. I am happy that life changes. Ok, maybe that is a stretch. But at least I am happy that I've learned how to be flexible when life changes.

"Ain't it funny how life changes

You wake up, ain't nothing the same and life changes

You can't stop it, just hop on the train and

You never know what's gonna happen

You make your plans and you hear God laughing

Life changes and I wouldn't change it for the world...."

Busy Bees

Usually, the beginning of the new school year symbolizes the end of Summer. It symbolizes life slowing down. Except not for us. Fall/Winter seems to be the busiest time of the year for us. Soon, after the school year began, we enjoyed a family weekend at the beach. Then, last weekend, the boys and I spent Saturday afternoon with friends, tackling AMN courses at a downtown event. Ok, I didn't try any of the courses but the boys loved it! This weekend E's soccer games began for the Fall season. Today, P and I left the game early so we could go be beekeepers for a few hours. It's a prize I had won and we thoroughly enjoyed our time, learning about honeybees and how to extract honey. The next two weekends are packed with a baby shower, a birthday party, church, soccer games and camping. As soon as soccer is over, football will begin.
The weekdays aren't boring either. P decided to sign up for 4-H so he's got meetings for that. E has soccer games. I have my gym classes and training for a 10k that I'll be doing in December. My photography business tends to pick up. For us life doesn't slow down until....2019??
And you know what? I wouldn't change it for a minute! Yes, I get tired and yes, I get stressed trying to get everything done. But I love, love, LOVE that the weekends allow me to be a hands-on mom. We get to introduce the boys to new things, cheer them on during their games, take small trips, watch them explore their passions. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! Bring on Fall. Bring on the busyness. Bring on the memories!!