Well, it's been six months, but I'm still here! Lots has happened in the last six months, and blogging has been one of those things that has just had to take a back seat. It's been a very busy time for our family--probably the busiest time we've ever had. So, what's been keeping me from blogging?
My amazing, wonderful husband has been working extremely hard in the last few months for our family. Following a promotion, he's had the privilege of having several huge, very visible projects at work, which is great for him and our family! It's taken a lot of his time, so I've been spending a lot more time taking care of the kiddo just me. He has also taken on five to six hours of tutoring high school students a week in order to earn extra money so that our family can pay off our debt faster. Isn't he the best? This is on top of his already very demanding and busy full-time job. (Speaking of debt...Financial Peace has helped our family so much so, that my husband has been teaching a Financial Peace class at our church during the week as well! It's one more thing that has been added to our plate, but it is his joy to teach others what we have learned through Dave Ramsey.) So, with things picking up at his work, his tutoring hours, and his teaching Financial Peace during the week and Sunday School at church, there are many days where it's just me with the kiddo all day long, which can be very trying and exhausting. But, it will be worth it when we can cut that debt down faster! He does such a wonderful job providing for our family. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have him.
Fall soccer has kept our family busy, too. Our three year old son, L, played in a soccer league for the first time this September and October. He L-O-V-E-D it. It was just what my energized boy needed. He can't wait for Spring soccer. It kept us on our toes...weekly soccer practices, weekly soccer games, soccer parties, soccer get-togethers, oh my!
Last spring my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a surgery and weeks of radiation treatments, she thankfully went into remission. It put us in a tail spin of worry, especially since she still battles skin cancer spots that keep re-occurring. This fall, we had another scare concerning her breast cancer. She had another surgery at the beginning of October, and thankfully, everything is going well now. We're grateful that her doctor is so thorough and good at what she does.
Whoever said that being a stay-at-home mom was easy was vastly misinformed. Or out of their right mind. Or on drugs. There have been many times in the last six months when my husband has come home to a house that looks like it has been hit by Hurricane Three Year Old Boy, takes one look at my discouraged and worn-out face, and quickly says, "I've got this, honey. Why don't you go have some you time?" My spunky little three year old son has been testing the waters the last few months more than he ever has. Three is much harder than two ever was! Saying that he is a strong-willed child doesn't do it justice. He also has never-ending energy, which when coupled with the strong-willed side of him, can be enough to drive this full-time Momma crazy! I've had to really step it up with the discipline and be very intentional and prayerful on how I handle a lot of situations. But, the good news is that we're growing together through all this. I'm teaching him about appropriate ways to act and deal with his emotions, and he's teaching me all about patience! He's a handful, but I love that kid and wouldn't change his personality for anything.
Now, to add on top of all this...I'm 26 weeks pregnant! It has been a wonderful blessing. We didn't even know if it would be possible because of some previous health issues that I have, but God made it possible. It has been no walk in the park, though. The first twelve weeks were difficult as far as sustaining the pregnancy. This baby had four sonograms by the time we were twelve weeks along and went public with our news. We've had three more sonograms, a diagnosis of placenta previa, plus a fetal echo since the 12 week mark. It's been an emotional roller coaster. But, now, I am pleased to say that the previa is gone, the baby is growing and developing as she should, and her heart is healthy. Praise the Lord! Along with the usual tiredness that comes with pregnancy (compounded by running after my three year old ball of fire), I have been very sick from the get-go. I'm six months pregnant, and I am still throwing up. Morning, afternoon, evening--I don't discriminate. This makes me not want to eat, which makes me feel weak and more tired. This pregnancy has caused some new health problems for me to arise, too, so I've had doctor appointments to a variety of doctors at least three times a week, every week since September. For the past month, it's been upped to four to five appointments a week. Keeping my house running smoothly, holding onto my sanity, being a full-time Mommy, finding child care week after week for my appointments, while still keeping my commitments and responsibilities has been hard and sometimes impossible. And, of course, let's not forget about the emotional side of pregnancy. It can turn any well-adjusted, sane woman into a raging lunatic. If you've ever been pregnant, you know about all those wacky hormones that make you a basket case. And of course, God would pick this exact time to use as a teaching moment for me. All the stress from everything else going on, plus trying to accept and be respectful of a dear friend wishing to cut off ties has been overwhelming. Basically, I've been a busy, busy, busy emotional wreck!
But, there's been one thing that has been constant. God is good. I have learned a great deal from Him in the last six months: Be thankful. Be humble. Rely on Him when I feel overwhelmed, sad, lonely, and unsure about the future. Trust. Believe. Keep worshipping. Keep praying. Keep my identity in Him and Him alone. Cling to my family and faith community. And never forget what an incredibly awesome and supportive hubby and sweet, sweet son I have. God is good! I'm sure the woman of Proverbs 31 knew all about being busy and feeling overwhelmed, too. She was in fact a woman, a wife, a mom, with lots of responsibilities! It's nice to know that I'm not alone!
