Time for reflection...

Well, I know that you didn't come to this blog to hear my deep thoughts every day but more to just see what's going on with us lately and see the latest pictures of my adorable (:-) kids.  But I just have this reflective phase going on with me since I have gotten to be more flexible the last couple of weeks and had time to sit and think a lot about what I want for my life, what God wants for me and my family, and to truly take in every moment I have as a wife and mom.  I can honestly say I adore being home.  Being able to pick up my kids, go to school and volunteer, make dinner and even sit with them at dinner to talk about their day, keep their favorite foods stocked for their lunch boxes, and helping them learning responsibility with household chores without griping at them continually.  I feel like a better mom, a better wife, a better person, and a more calm and peaceful Christian woman.  I love where God has brought me and pray for continued peace, love, and spiritual growth in our family.  As I was thinking of this week I wanted to use this as a type of journal to remember some things that have touched my heart ...before I forget and as something to look back on when I don't feel as blessed and more selfish.

I want to remember Peyton telling me today that he felt sorry for kids who had to walk home and didn't have a mommy to pick them up.  :(

I want to remember when Jaedyn told me last week that our house was different with me staying home and I was different, in a good way!  My heart burst with joy!

I want to remember when Jaedyn had a total meltdown when she found out I ate lunch with Peyton and volunteered at school.  Not necessarily her having a meltdown, but her, in 5th grade, still wanting me to come to school to see her.

I want to remember Peyton giving me huge hugs everyday, laying with me on the couch after school, and telling me he will miss me before he leaves to go with Daddy to the game on Friday nights. 

I want to remember Peyton crawling up in my lap after he finishes his lunch at school when I come eat with him and giving me TONS of kisses right in front of his friends. 

I want to remember when Peyton told Daddy that he loved having "holes" in his desk to put all his stuff at school.

I want to remember that as I was sitting at the Ford house today getting my oil changed and about to burst into tears as the lady there told me that they needed to replace our air condition compressor (only $800) on my car, when I called my husband he said not to worry about it.  I continued to go on and on about how I should have expected this.  We have budgeted down to the penny for me to be able to be home more and now this comes up.  And as I was babbling about how we were going to afford this he simply said "we are blessed." " We will get the money."  Just calmed me to know that he knew what I was not seeing at the time.  We will always get through everything, together!

I want to remember how Jaedyn told me that she would say prayers all day while she was at school because she was having trouble with a teacher who yelled at students and made one cry.  She was so sympathetic and told me she prayed at school silently. 

I want to remember Jaedyn and her adoration for "Prissy" our new puppy. She takes care of her like her own little baby. So sweet!

I want to remember Jaedyn's continuing paranoia phase.  She has been like this since she was young but now adds things to the list regularly, especially after watching the news.  We laugh about it but it does worry Daddy and I.  She is afraid of rain, wind, storms, West Nile virus (this is relatively new), strangers (she rushed Peyton and his friend in the house this week after seeing someone on a bike who was "looking at them weird" in our neighborhood), lice, the dark, large dogs, snakes, etc.  The list goes on and on.  We continually pray for the Lord to take her worries and give her peace.  I pray she grows out of this. 

I want to remember (even though it is hard to watch now) that this is the year for Jaedyn to do her own hair (taking lots of time), for her to handle tough situations with adults, for her to learn to actually study, and for her to "hopefully" set her own path even against friends if need be, which she is struggling with at this time. 

I want to remember Jaedyn as a 5th grader.  I think this year will set her course for her young womanhood and it is so hard for me to watch.  I ache thinking of the choices she will have to make as a young woman and how much harder it will be for her than it was for me.  I pray with her daily to make a stand for the Lord, to be honest, not gossipy, and to stay true to her beliefs and not go along with anything that she knows in her heart is against her God and her character.

I adore her and am so honored that God would entrust such a special soul to me.  I know He has special plans for her in this world. 

In honor of my amazing daughter, I wanted to share some of her pictures she recently had me take (that is a change - she reminded me to take them) of her after she turned TEN!