Nothing just happens

Three years ago I was working at a job I despised. I worked for an apartment management company where I was in charge of doing evictions. It was a very cruel but necessary job. The stress level was very high, and I was constantly arguing with tenants and being cussed out on a daily basis. It was during this time that we became pregnant with Alyssa, and we were building a new house. When I went out on maternity leave, I was really enjoying my time with the kids and the anxiety of returning to work was almost to much to bear. I pleaded with God to help me find a way to either stay home or find another job. 12 short weeks later, my prayer left unanswered, I returned to work. Three weeks later, I left the company.

While I should have been relieved that I no longer had to work for that company, the circumstances revolving my departure were terrible. I wanted to wait until I had another job before I left, but it didn't happen that way. I had a new baby, a new house, and no job. It was a very low point in my life.

I laid in bed last night thinking about this time, and the series of events that happened shortly after. Although I couldn't see it at the time, God was opening so many more important doors in my life after he had closed the one that I didn't want closed in the first place.

I was able to land an interview with the help of a very special friend, which in turn got me the job with my present company. The company that also happens to be 20 minutes away from my home when I used to commute over an hour to my previous place of employment. I just happened to find a Daycare (that the kids and I love) that's approximately 4 minutes away from my work, and I just happened to meet some of the kindest people who did nothing but look out for my best interest since I began working here 2 years ago.

Most importantly however, is through my friendship with two very special people, I just happened to have renewed my relationship with God. And I just happened to be invited to a Church where we actually anticipate going to on Sunday mornings.

Hindsight can be an amazing tool sometimes because it allows you to actually go back in time and see the series of God driven events that bring you to where you are today. At that time, I couldn't see the good in leaving that job. I was afraid to be without income, and I wasn't sure how we were going to get through. I met and worked with people who were selfish and judgemental.

The women I started working with at my new company were filled with kindness and understanding. Yesterday at church we learned about being a "salty christian." Very simply put, salt makes you thirsty and Jesus is the living water. We should be thirsty for Jesus. If you imagine standing with your friends and someone is pouring the salt on your head, more than likely the salt with land on those around you. If you express kindness and joy, they will rub off on other people. People will see your love for Jesus, just by the way you act. With my new friends, I could see that love by their actions towards me.

I wish I could have trusted him a few years ago, but I couldn't see past the fear. I'm still learning and growing in my journey with God, but I know without a doubt, that I am right where he wanted me to be all along.

And I couldn't be more grateful.

Friday's reason I had kids part 9

Because one of us had to test out the high chair to make sure it was safe for Alyssa to use.

I've got love in my tummy

I had no Friday's reason I had kids part 8 posted on, well Friday.

So today I present Monday's Friday's reason I had kids part 8.

Because you can make the older child dress up like the Easter Bunny to pacify the younger child and save both time and money.

Since I'm usually posting pics of kids, I thought I would take a break and talk about my next favorite subject, food. You know, the natural order of things exactly the way God had designed, God-Family-Coke Zero-Food.

Ahem

1. Nutella

Oh, if loving you is wrong Nutella, I don't ever want to be right. This stuff was made in heaven and sent straight aisle 6 at Food Lion. Nutella's website claims that it's part of a healthy balanced breakfast since it's mostly made from hazelnuts, skim milk and cocoa, but I am interested in approximately none of that. The mere fact that I can spread something on my warm toast that melts and tastes like chocolate makes me want to stock my pantry with it. And you know, the kids will eat anything that appears to be nutritionally void.

Hence the fact that my daughter ate chicken nuggets 3 times in two days last week.

2. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus.


Oh my goodness, put this on a cracker and it's delicious. I know that they come in other flavors but I've really only tried the roasted red pepper, and it's seriously like a party in your mouth. Except, only you are invited because inviting other people to your hummus party would be gross.

3. The Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese Wedge.



Pretty self explanatory what you do with this, but it's delicious and is low fat/low calories. Sometimes (like today at lunch) I put some cheese and a little bit of Hummus together and it's delicious!

I'm not a big fan of fruit (it's a texture thing) so I normally don't venture past apples, bananas and grapes. However, while we were out Saturday we passed stopped by a local produce stand and decided to get some fresh veggies for dinner. While T and I were browsing, we caught Alyssa eating a few cherry's. The woman running the stand told us not to worry about it, but we felt bad so we picked up a carton of cherries. Besides the maraschino cherries we put on our ice-cream, no one has eaten a real cherry in out home. Let me just tell you, they were delicious! We also had to buy the carton of plums that Alyssa knocked over. I'm not going there with the plums, but Alyssa loved them.

Oh and speaking of natural laxatives, let me throw in a favorite snack of mine.

4. Fiber One Bars


They are delicious and I highly recommend them. Except I do not highly recommend eating them after eating say, Tacos. I also do not recommend you eat Tacos and Fiber One bars on the day that you have to visit the GYN for your annual.

I'm just saying.

Happy Snacking!

June happenings

Already half-way through June, and I've had about as much fun as one person can take. Not to mention the fact that Kyle starts "summer camp" this week so I have to start packing his lunches everyday. For someone who procrastinates, this has been my dread ever since I found out that not only do I have to start packing his lunch every day, our weekly Daycare cost goes up seventeen bucks.

And, if I miss a USDA food component to his lunch, they are going to charge me a dollar per missing component.

I sure hope pickles count as a vegetable because that's about the only vegetable I could convince Kyle to eat for lunch.

That and potato chips. Afterall, a potato's a vegetable right?

I don't ever remember vegetables being packed in my lunches. Nutty Buddy's? Yes. Cucumbers? Not a chance.

I guess this only prepares me for Kindergarten. Although, at least in Kindergarten I can choose not to pack a lunch and he can buy from the school. Now my only other option if I forget, is the threat from the daycare to fix him a peanut butter and jelly and then charge me a hundred and seven dollars for missing all of the USDA food components and risk being known as the slacker Mom.

Speaking of someone that is not a slacker Mom, my sister-in-law Katie has the healthiest baby boy I know.

And he does not

love

the pool.
He also does not love squash.

Alas, we found something that he does love.

She is really doing a wonderful job with Landon. She is very patient even when I can see she's tired. The last person to get her plate of food this weekend, she has fully embraced her Mommy role. Landon's lucky to have such a great Mommy.

And I'm lucky I got to hang out with this beautiful babe.

Lori and Amber

Today is a very special day for two very special people.

My niece turns 14 today. 14 really? That's what I kept hearing her Mom say over and over again Saturday. When T and I first started dating, she was 2, and she had a few pronunciation issues with her L's and Y's. I can still see her in her little princess nightgown and her short blond hair, asking me if I wanted to play with her yittle tea cups. And don't even get me started on the way she pronounced yellow-LELLOW.

But my most favorite memory of Amber? The way she called me Ginny.

And now she's all grown up. She's incredible smart, has lots of friends, and excels in school. It has been my pleasure to watch her grow into the beautiful young lady she is, and I love her so much.

And, I will always be her Ginny.


My Mother-In-Law Lori has a birthday today too!

She has been so supportive to me and she is a woman who has devoted her life to her children . She is always there when you need her.

I love watching the way she is with her grandchildren and I admire the relationship she has with Katie. I know that her and Katie have always had a close relationship, but as they have gotten older, I now see that the bond she has with Katie is the same that shared with her Mom Peggy. They truly are best friends, and my hope is that Alyssa and I will share this same bond as she gets older.

Plus, she sews all our buttons back on and mends all the tears in our seams.

And for that, I couldn't be more grateful.

Happy Birthday Lori and Amber!

Friday's reason I had kids part 7

Because nothing says family fun like forcing your screaming 2 yr old to sit next to her spider man not-so-enthused painted faced brother, while you tell them how much fun they are having and snap pictures.

Preschool Graduation 2009

Kyle's Preschool Graduation 2009 followed by a celebration at Great Wolfe Lodge!

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