What Matters...

Been in a reflective mood lately...I've had a tremendous load on my plate that I have secretly been trying to "pray" away.  However, this 'load' I've been trying to get rid of has really put things into perspective for me.

• My kids don't necessarily sport the latest fashions. 
• But they are beautiful inside and out.
• Often times, you find them running around with unkept hair and sporting dirt various places on their body and clothes.
• But they are almost, ALWAYS happy, joyful, and smiling.
•  We can't really afford to eat out at super fancy restaurants.
• But we always share meals together as a family.
• Our living room is almost, ALWAYS in a state of chaos.
• But I know the chaos came out of the kids having fun with us.
• Our weekly menu usually consists of 2 nights of pasta, hamburger helper, or some other cheapo meal.  We are also always trying to find our weekly 99 cents deals.
• We know we always have enough food for all of us, and we aren't going hungry.  We also found I FAVORITE taco place.
• We always shop off of the clearance racks, and almost always with a coupon.
• Our family is clothed, and presentable.

I didn't write this because I think I am 'super-mom' in any way.  I write this because through the past year, the Lord has shown me what being content means.  I don't have it nailed down, but God has really shifted my focus as to what's needed and what's wanted.  When my will is aligned with the heart of God, things have a funny way of just falling right into place.

We have had to look and wait for over a year to find the house the Lord has for us.  The process hasn't been easy.  We have cut our budget to the BARE minimum.  Many times I just want to throw up my hands and say, I'm done, I'm tired, and I'm through.  

Then, I walk upstairs and see our beautiful daughter sleeping in our bed waiting for little brother to fall asleep.  Or I walk in to pick up our little Prince who's upset to console him.  And they take a good tug at my heartstrings.  I seen them running (crawling) around the apartment, and I look into their eyes and I just want to give the world to them.

Then, I realize that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, of monetary value that would mean ANYTHING to them if they do not know the love of Jesus.  So, my perspective changes.  I give up "me" time, and we have "our" time.  I take Nathan's slobbery kisses and Natty's hugs, while getting smeared by the leftovers of her dinner that made it onto her clothes, hair, and body.  I nod off while holding Nathan because he's been upset and doesn't want to be put down.  But I realize every stroke on his face is a reminder to him of how much I love him.  I acknowledge Natty screaming "STAR" in the backseat for the 20th time because she sees the Carl's Jr. sign off the freeway instead of telling her to be quiet because I know she'll feel appreciated.  I don't look forward to their bedtimes, no matter how tired I am, because I know I am that much closer to having to leave them again in the morning for work.

This has all been on my mind because Sunday, 2 days ago, was Mother's Day.  A lot of women asked me how I was going to be spending my day, and wished me some "alone" and "relaxing" mommy-time.  To me, Mommy-Time could not possibly have been anything else but spending it with my family.  I am a mother, I am a wife.  "Alone-time", whatever that is, is something that I have willingly surrendered.   To me, I want to know that my family feels loved and taken care of.  And if, by chance, I get a green-tea latte or a passion ice tea lemonade thrown into the mix, well, that's just the cherry on top. 

I really don't know where I was getting at with this blog.  But if you've read it this far, thanks for reading.  I know you all have a wonderful Tuesday.

Mother's Day May 2010

I would never trade this for any job, title, recognition...for anything, anyone, anywhere.

Nathan

I cannot believe I did not include any updates on Nathan!  Ugh!  Bad Mommy!, here is a blog totally dedicated to Nathan and what he's been up to.  Nathan turned 9 months on the 18th of April.  I cannot get over how fast he's growing.  He is pretty much in 18 mts. clothes sizes.  I can't get over that either.  Natty was always in the very next size category.  Nathan seems to be growing at lightening speed.  Our little man has 8 pearly whites - 4 top and 4 bottom.  He has the MOST handsome smile.  He absolutely LOVES table foods.  He gets very jealous of what we're eating and always wants in on the action.  His recent favorites are cheerios, watermelon, noodles, rice, and chicken (from Chick fil A of course!).  And of course we've got our little noodles and rice King going - that's that Asian blood coming out!  :)  He loves watching Baby Einstein and Veggietales with his sister.  He is also climbing on anything, and everything.  No walking yet, or standing on his own.  It know it's coming up though.  Here are some pictures of our little prince.  Enjoy guys!

 Our Happy Boy!

 Partners in 

Crime

 There's that smile!

Update Update!

Wow, I think this has been the longest I have gone without blogging.  I've actually been on pretty consistently to catch up on family and friends, but I just haven't found the time lately to update my own.  BOY, do I have some BIG news to update you guys with.  Here's what our family's been up since March, lol.

• I went back on track the last week of March.  I tried to thoroughly enjoy my last month "off track" as our school is going traditional in the fall.  Time with the kids are sure bittersweet.
• Tim has been teaching his first college level class (he acutally finished it last Monday).  CBU has the HOTTEST CIS adjunct EVER!
• Budget cuts around the district has had everyone grumpy.  Work has been very difficult in that sense.
• My students are ready to graduate (not literally).  It's been difficult to motivate them to keep pushing onwards.
• Natty started up round 2 of "gym-sticks" (gymnastics) - as she calls it.

Now....here are the BIG news.......drumrolls.........


we




bought




a



HOUSE!!!!!!!!


Yes!  We are in the exciting stage of escrow.  We will be moving in about 45 days into Riverside.  We're so excited.  I know it will be more of a reality when we get the keys, but we are so grately to see the end of renting in sight.

Somethings we are so very thankful about...

• God knew which house was  ours and kept us sane until we found it.
• God has been in charge and in the fore-front of our finances and has truly made all this possible - AND BETTER - than we expected.
• Our kids will each have their VERY OWN room!
• We will have a yard for the kids to run around and BE KIDS!
• There is a park within walking distance, with an awesome playground area, and very well kept.
• NO HOA's.

Now the big task begins of getting stuff sorted, and packed.  I have no sick days to take (since they were all taken when I was on maternity leave when the school year started), and Tim's preparing for 2 classes - one starts Wed., and another the second summer session in July.  Time management will be crucial for us.  I absolutely REFUSE to move junk.  So have our work cut out for us, but we are so excited to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel to having a place to truly call OURS. 

Thanks for reading my very lenghty blog.  I cannot wait to share pictures with all of you - COMING SOON! 

Grey Holiday

Awesome song from the Fireproof soundtrack.  Such a great song for the storyline for Caleb and Katherine, but even more awesome, it speaks of God's sacrificial love.  He waits for us to come back, because He paid the price for us.  We belong to Him.  Happy Wednesday OR St. Patrick's Day!


Grey Holiday - You Belong to Me

You run, you hide


As tears fall from your eyes

They fall like snow

From a wounded soul

You hold inside

The hurt of great divide

The hole is starting to get old



So come back to the light

To the love, you will find

It’s been here all along

So come back to the start

And you’ll find in your heart

That you always belonged

To me



Just take the rope

I won’t let it go

Give in

We can start again

I’m life, I’m hope

Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com

And I’m ready to explode

With how bad I want you back home



So come back to the light

To the love, you will find

It’s been here all along

So come back to the start

And you’ll find in your heart

That you always belonged

To me



You’re my daughter, you’re my son

You’re the one I long to love

And you’ve heard I chose to die

Do you know you’re the reason why?
 

THRIVE

I stumbled across this website, and I HIGHLY recommend it.  It's called Just Thrive, and it's a FREE (had me there!) personal budget, online money management, personal finance software, financial planning, and advice giver.  I signed up today and have been playing around with it for a little bit.  Didn't really have THAT much time with being home with the kids, but I liked what I have come across so far. 

Some of the perks:

• Gives an "estimated" credit score.
• Plans out a budget for you, and is super easy to manipulate depending on monetary amount you want to designate in each area.
• Shows what house value you are likely to be able to afford.
• projects how much you need to save
• Tracks if you've stayed under the budgeted amout of your categories.

I've only looked at it for MAYBE an hour today, total.  Realistically though, you'd need to track your spending on it for a month for it to be accurate.  It's a pretty neat too though, worth checking out if you don't want to budget by pen and paper.

Counting My Blessings

It was a pretty solemn day for our school district.  I am saddened that many of my coworkers were pink slipped today. 

Jeremiah 29:11 - 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, ' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

I don't understand why our district is stuck in this situation, why our state is in the circumstance they are in.  I don't understand why this has to happen to wonderful teachers and friends, and their families.

I did understand though that God has used this to humble myself.  I don't always act as grateful as I could with my job.  Today, I was really brought to my knees and reminded how undeserving I am.  I have not gotten a pink slip yet.  I may or may not get one.  But for once, I can truly say I am thankful and grateful for the job that as allowed us to provide for our family.  It has allowed either Tim or I to be home with the kids, and grandparents when our schedules clash.  It allows us to pay our bills and live comfortably.  It's a job that hasn't left us lacking in anyway, except through our own irresponsibility.

Please pray for our school district, and the people who have been laid off and their families.

Just Not Feelin' the Love

So it's my first week off....

Monday - Both kids got sick with a cold....
Tuesday - Both kids fell (seperately) and bruised their head)....
Wednesday - I am sick....

Blah, just not feeling the love the first week I'm off.  Oh well....

Here's a prayer request for you all out there.  I just found out this morning that our school will be moving to an earlier start.  That means kids will be expected to be arrive on campus and start at 7:55.  That means I will probably have to be on campus by 7:30 at the LATEST.  It will be a very rough adjustment for me, and the kids as well.  Not sure what Tim's schedule looks like yet, so pray the Lord gives us some down time so where to be some rest.  Also, I know this is all part of His plan, and everything will work out, it is just difficult on me right now.  Thanks everyone!