Being Content

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Philippians 4:11

My Monkey

My Jewel

All my life, as far back as I can remember, I have always been looking forward to the next phase in life. I have always struggled with being content. When I was little I remember wanting to be in the next grade, once I was in middle school I wanted to be in high school, then in high school I could not wait until college, in college I anxiously awaited finding my husband, once I got engaged I could not wait to get married, then once I was married I could not wait to have children, and now that I am in the middle of having children I cannot wait for each stage and for the next baby to come along. Recently I have remembered things from my childhood and realized I have missed so much. I have been so focused on what is coming next that life is just passing me by. I am like a little kid at Disney World so excited to see everything that when I get on a ride I do not even enjoy the ride because I am so focused on what ride I will be on next. God has been convicting me about being content with whatever season of life I am in. I love my family and I do not want to miss a single second of my children's lives. It is a process. Every time I feel God working in my heart it reminds me of the kid's song "He's still working on me." I guess as a Christian it is our life song, because God is always working on me. Thank you God that I am still clay.

The trying of my patience, worketh faith

Yes, you read that right. I have come to realize that having a two year old will increase your faith. I pray more now than I ever have. While this is funny, I am being very serious. Everyday I find myself praying more and more about each situation, in my desperate attempt to not respond in anger and to better understand why in the world he is doing whatever it is he is doing at the time. I have learned a few things through all of this.

1. Pray for the child in the morning. Before your day even starts pray, even if it is a quick prayer.
2. Pray before you respond. Now this one is tough. Many times you will need to respond quickly, but say asking for the right attitude and the right way to handle whatever it is that the child has done.
3. Pray for the child at night. I pray with my babies before bed. I thank God for our day and I ask help for the next.
4. Pray for yourself. This may be the most important! We as parents need to make sure our response is appropriate, timely, and effective.

I know these things sound very simple, but believe me. I have found if I do not do one of these things, my day is terrible. I am reminded of the verses about "soft answers" and "not provoking to wrath." I am so relieved to know I do not have to go through this alone. We have a Heavenly Father is the perfect parent to carry us through this difficult time.

Autumn Spice Cookies

When I was a teenager my sisters and I loved when fall would come around because we got to make these cookies. I must say half the fun of baking is enjoying the time with whoever you are baking with. My son is just getting old enough to help and I am loving his eagerness to do so.
Sorry, there are no pictures of the finished product because I am currently trying to manipulate the recipe, so i can use whole wheat flour. Usually I can use the same amount, but this time it did not seem to work. As soon as I have it figured out I will let you know. Here is the recipe:

1/2      c Shortening
1/4      c Margarine
1/2      c granulated Sugar
1/2      c Brown Sugar
2           Eggs
1        tsp Vanilla
2 1/2  c Flour
3/4     tsp Salt
1        tsp Baking Powder
1        tsp Cinnamon
1/2     tsp Ginger
1/2     tsp Nutmeg
1/8     tsp Cloves
1/8     tsp Mace

Mix in order. Chill at least 1 hour or until dough is firm enough to roll into a ball. Bake at 350 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet for 6-8 minutes. Enjoy!

What I have been doing

Monkey has been doing some school as well

I know I have not been on in almost a month. If you remember I had said I was going back to school. I have been busy getting A's. I was so excited to see that my almost final grades are A's. I was taking two what I call "fluff" classes. They are classes to help you get back into the feel of being in college again, so they were fairly easy courses. Starting in October I will start some much more difficult classes, like Anatomy and Medical Terminology (yikes!). I am very nervous! The goal is for me to work at home. We cannot really afford for me to work outside of the home. We only have one car, and my husbands work schedule would not allow me to work outside the home until 2pm. Plus, it cost a lot of money to put two children in daycare and we are not sure I could make enough to pay for that and still have money left over. We also just want me to stay home. It has been difficult juggling babies, household responsibilities, spending time with my husband, and school. I also hate to admit that some were neglected, my house is messy (I must say if something is going to be neglected, that is the only thing on that list that I am willing to neglect). I am still praying my husband will find a better job, but right now we are happy he has one.

Learning his colors

Happy Birthday Jewel!

On August 6th, my baby girl turned 1, I know these are long overdue. Here is her party!

 We also gave my son a couple of gifts. When everything was over, she was playing with his cars, and he had the baby doll! I love my babies!

Well....

I may not be on as much. I mentioned at the start of this blog that my husband may ask me at any time to return to work. Well, I have not returned to work, but I am currently in school to get a degree in Medical Billing and Coding. It should take about a year, including an internship. This should end in a job for me. Unfortunately, the job may require me to work in an office for 6 months to a year before I am given the opportunity to work from home. I love my husband and my children, and it has always (from as far as I can remember, about 3 years old) been my dream to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. I knew that I may have to return to work to help out financially, but I was really hoping I would not have to. My heart is at home, and I am praying I can give 100% to my school work. I know that most of family is thrilled with the fact that I am back in school, and I would love to make them proud. To be perfectly honest I can not help but sit here and cry at the thought of taking time away from my family and possibly working outside that home. My desire all my life is first and foremost to be in God's will, but I am not sure this is His will. I know that this is what everyone else wants. I have always heard that God's will may not always be easy, but I have heard that you will be happy if you are following it. I am sorry for such a discouraging blog entry this time. I always speak from my heart and this is where my heart is at this time.

Diet

Since this will be the first time in three years that I am not pregnant and/or nursing I am going to use it to get rid of some weight that has crept up on me these past several years. I like to blame it on the 23 pounds I gained with him, or the 16 pounds I gained with her, but I am one of those people who weighs the same they did before they were pregnant (please do not hate me) the day they leave the hospital. Although, I might add that the weight has done some shifting through the years. As you can see from the previous post I am not the 110 pound I was in high school. I, unfortunately, am not a patient person, I like to see results right away. I am going to of course start burning more calories than I take in, and make sure I am drinking plenty of water. I am going to start by doing a quick diet that I remember my parents doing often when I was a child..... The Cabbage Soup Diet. I know it sounds gross, but when I was very young I remember enjoying the soup. Basically, you eat mostly fruit and vegetables, some meat, and as much of the soup as you can stomach. It is only seven days, so hopefully I will last. I figure if I can do this tough diet for seven days I can do a moderation (everything in moderation) diet for a few months. I will let you know how it goes. I am a little concerned though, the last two time I have gone on diets and started losing weight I got pregnant, so we will see (I guess that is a good excuse not to lose weight). Oh well....