Busy!!!

I've really reprioritized things in my life lately. I feel like I'm becoming more balanced and what I was created to be and less like I'm "treading water". so to speak. I'm focusing on the bigger picture first and the details next instead of the other way around. I'm spending time with people who make me better when I leave them. I'm also working part-time as an independent designer for Home and Garden Party <------- shameless plug

My husband tends to have what I call an "Eeyore" personality. He hates it when I say that so don't tell him but it's true. Most of the time I just feel like everything will be OK. It drives him NUTS. ;-) He mistakes my carefree attitude for not caring when in reality I just feel like I need to trust in God fully. So, I follow His discernment and if I get a red light I feel like it was for a reason. DH on the other hands will try to figure out what he did wrong to make the light red or better yet, bang it with a hammer until it turns green. ;-) Anyway, my whole point here is that DH changed. A couple of weeks ago he told me he felt like all these red lights in our life were there to point us to the direction God wanted us to go in. I got nervous for a minute thinking the next words out of his mouth would be that we needed to move to Alaska so he could be a bush pilot. But no, he simply felt strongly led to go back and finish school. A venture we had long given up on. I was so excited he felt this way and we looked into our life as it was and saw a clear plan. It won't be easy but it will definately be do-able. So, DH is finally leaving his work-all-night job (boy, that was killing me!) and working long weekends. This will only leave us $100-200 less than what we're used to believe it or not and I'll be able to supplement that with my new job. He'll be going to school during the week and I'll be doing my home parties/office work a few nights a week. And Wednesdays will be family night. I'm looking forward to it.
Speaking of my job, I love it. I detest the paperwork part of it but I love going out there and meeting new people and showing people the products. I love finding new dynamics and just having a blast with people I just met. I did my first party last week and we had hail the size of ping pong balls during it. How's that for distraction?! lol But we had a great turnout and lots of fun so I'm encouraged. I need to hire someone for the paperwork part and I'll be good to go. ;-) It's still a struggle balancing homeschooling, just being a mommy, being a supportive wife, doing the house stuff, cooking, shuffling around activities but it's a good thing. It's making me more self motivated and disciplined than I think I've ever been. It's definately refining me and my family, for the better.
So, check out my stuff. ;-) I'm in love with everything in the catalog. That's my direct link up there. If you wanted to do an online or catalog party you can earn FREE & 1/2 price items. Pardon me while I slip into my business suit. LOL
Oh, on other news my little dog, Cocoa, wasn't acting right on Sunday. Then he got worse. Vomiting, becoming rigid, not moving, cloudy eyes, drooling, extended stomach, whining. I called the vet and he met me down at the office (they rock!). They are keeping him a second night. We're not sure what's wrong but he's my lap dog, I have never been a dog person until now. I really miss him and hope he's going to be OK!
Also on Sunday our middle son (6) was playing at church with the older kids and fell off a field goal post onto his back. He was a bit shaken but seemed OK, jsut a little sore. This morning he said he was better and we couldn't see any bruising so we decided to just ice it and called it sore muscles (my husband was a medical tech in the Air Force and a civilian EMT so we're usually pretty good at diagnosing - even our DR says so. lol). But tonight he's not using it at all and he's really sore. So, tomorrow we are making a DR appointment, I'm praying it's not a break or serious sprain. Sometimes as parents you don't always make the right call and then the "mommy guilt" sets in. Why didn't you take him sooner? and all that stuff. But you just do the best you can, follow your instincts, and live and learn. So please say a prayer that he is just having muscle pain and it's not anything worse, we'll know tomorrow.
I guess that's pretty much it for now. We have a family vacation in 2 weeks to my cousins wedding. We're getting excited thinking about that. Life is so full lately but like I mentioned above, I'm trying to fill it with only the important stuff. ;-)
Hugs,
Jess

I thought I'd show you the "baby"...

Since it's been awhile. ;-)

Just for laughs...

This is one of my dads favorite videos, it's short but funny.

Determination

Another camera bit the dust or I'd have pictures to go along with this post. So just use your imagination until I can convince someone in my family that it's a good investment to buy me another camera and no, I won't lose/break *this* one. ;-)

Anyway, point of this post. Our oldest son. He'll be 11 in the Fall and he has the classic signs of first child syndrome. He's responsible, he's authoritive, he's pretty compliant for the most part. But the thing he lacks that seems odd to me is maturity and self discipline. Or he did lack it. Recently DH took him to Boy Scouts (or as he likes to call it, Man Scouts) through our church. The very next day they were going on a camping trip. For 3 days, hours away. He had never even been away from us before unless it was with family or close friends. But I let him go.

I let him go. I have a feeling there will be a lot more of that these next few years. But by letting him go I've seen a difference.

The Boy Scouts are working on physical fitness. This morning, my thinly built son inspired me to write this post. He asked me to help him count while he did sit-ups. I said sure and we began. 1...2...3...4...5...

.........25....26...27....28...................

........40...41....42..... now the sweat is pouring off his brow.

50... surely he's done...51...52...53......nope! he's struggling but keeps on going.

62...63....64.... I begin to worry if he'll hurt himself but I don't say anything but to remind him he can stop anytime.

74....75....76.... he pushes through with no plans of stopping.

97...98...99... Ah, he wants to get to 100....100! Great job honey!

101...102... he's struggling hard now. "Must...*pant*...get...*gasp*...to....1..2...0... that's my goal mom.............. I bit my tongue and let him reach it.

118......119.......120.

After much water he goes back to the spot and begins his push-ups...

this is the stuff men are made of and it's amazing watching my little boy transform.

BTW, as I was typing he was copy-catting his 4yo sister to annoy her so we do have a long way to go. ;-)

No matter how often you fly...

It never ceases to be simply AMAZING!

Adventures

I just got back from a weekend in Boston to be with my childhood friend, *M*. We were thinking it wasn't possible that were have known each other since we were 4 years old then she found an old picture of us and the date on the back put us at 5 years old in the picture. So, we really have been friends that long, it seems surreal. We spent the weekend meeting new people, getting massages, shopping, and my personal favorite; watching old home movies of ourselves and laughing so hard we should have worn depends. ;-)

There were both great times and tragic times during our trip (our mutual friends father passed away this weekend) but it's a trip I'll keep with me always. I'm going to be posting various stories and pictures from the trip because when you're travelling without children there are LOTS Of things to observe and take pictures of. LOL

So, look for the posts, I can't promise any today but I will post some.

Happy Easter!

Have A BLESSED EASTER!!!

"Spring bursts to-day, For Christ is risen and all the earth's at play."
~ Christina G. Rossetti