My new Career!

Well, it was like pulling teeth but I finally managed to get my husband to make one of the biggest decisions of our married life, and he's aggreed to let me stay home with my girls!! YAY!! I've been praying for this for 11 years. I am hoping he has continued faith in me as I learn how to reach out to other Mom's around me and settle into home life.

I know I've had a year off on Mat Leave to do pretty much that, but there was always that window into my "working" world to peek out at every once in awhile. Now it's real, and I'm in uncharted territory, at least for me. I've never been able to be at home full time with my other girls during this stage of toddlerhood. Believe me, some moments I wonder if I can really do this alone, and actually get through the terrible twos and the terrorizing threes, without having any help. Some people are against babysitters & the working Mom, but I still think it really takes a "village" to raise a child. Both my older girls did benefit by being with some incredible people, away from Mommy, that helped in their raising; am I really enough to totally do this all on my own this time. It certainly is going to be a challenge!

So, I'm taking a 100% decrease in pay; no sick days; no days off; little back up and severe mental strain... but the heart rewards are PRICELESS! I love my girls, and I have been waiting for this day since my first daughter was born. I am finally a Stay at Home Mom :)

She is SO worth it! As are my other two beauties. So I encourage you to take a little time this week to look around you and see what God has given you, and be consciously thankful for at least 10 things. 10 things might sound daunting, because it's sometimes hard to start, but once you find one or two things, it's easier to find more.

One of the things I am most thankful for is a lasting legacy of my Grandmother. She turned 86 at the beginning of October. She's still vibrant and going strong. After my father in law passed away this summer I've come to realize the importance of some of those photos that we've been putting off and one of those was 4 generation pictures of my girls with her. So when we celebrated our girls birthdays with her a few weeks ago (although it's super busy I LOVE having their birthdays so close together) we finally took the time to take the pictures. Even though they are not professional photos, every moment taken, is a memory saved.

I love you Gram!

A time for all seasons.

Well... it's been a really long time since I've been on here with something I felt worthy of blogging. We've gone through a really tough summer with some extreme lows and some nice highs.

First and foremost I want to remind myself and you to take time any chance you have to not only tell those special people around you that you love them, but do something to show them. It does make a difference in their heart & yours. Each of us struggles everday to get over some hurt or loss or whatever, but we can make a difference to one another, by showing that we care.

We had been planning a dream trip (of a lifetime) for a year, to celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary year. The loss we experienced this summer brought to light that despite all the best laid plans, anything can happen, it is up to us to determine how we will learn from it and respond. My husband's response has been to 'seize the day' and was bound and determined to still take our vacation as planned.

I really couldn't believe I was standing on the soil of a place I dreamed of going my whole life. It was real, not just pictures in a book, or stories filmed and portrayed in a movie. We spent 2 brief days in Rome, Florence, Bologna and Venice; and each was an experience unto itself. I wished for more time in each place, but relished in the tastes and sights as much as I could for the time we had.

After getting lost amongst the tiny streets in Florence, we found our way to the river just in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset! What a blessing :)

We took an afternoon tour to Pisa... what a beautiful day. Tower is still there, and still leaning!

Venice was absolutely amazing. Here is another gorgeous sunset, this time from the Rialto Bridge.