I'm back and it's only been over a year!

SURPRISE!!!! I'm back into the blogosphere! I never really left though. I'd read some of my favorite blogs, subscribe to them, check the few comments I received, etc.

I guess after the birth of Elias (15 months ago) I realized what was really important. I worked full time, had a husband unemployed and needed my encouragement and time, a nine year old son, a new baby, church functions and most importantly time with Jesus, my Lord and Savior! I simply did not have the time for blogging. All of the fore-mentioned people or things needed my attention more.

So I got into a routine or the closest resemblance to one and one day went right after the other. Here's a brief overview of our life the past 15 months.

My older son completed third grade and adjusted to well to being a big brother. Elias and I after much trial and error came to a manageable nursing routine even while I worked 40+ hours. My husband remained patient and was humbled by the lack of secure employment. He did what he could handling a few odd jobs and such until the Lord provided him a job at the Dept of Homeland Security in D.C. He worked there away from home for a few months but he was able to fly home and totally surprise me (he's lucky I didn't have a weapon or I would have thought he was an intruder) for our 5th anniversary! However, God in His sovereignty (and maybe a few of my desperate pleas in prayer to NOT live in DC) the Lord redirected David to a job in North Florida working for the Airforce.

David worked at the Air Force Base for three months while I was still home working full time, tending to the kids as we awaited the selling of our home. Just as it was when my husband was away in D.C. the kids and I went into survival mode and we managed. Was my bathroom always clean? Was my kitchen floor crumb free at any given time? Did I ever see the bottom of the laundry basket? The answer is NO, NO and NO!

Like any parent who must do what you have to for your kids and family as a whole I learned to re prioritize my time and just as I did after Elias' birth took another evaluation of the important things. I didn't always have great days and some days, I'll just be honest, I wanted to rip my husband's head off for not being there helping me. He was doing what he thought best for our family and I didn't always trust in his leadership. I did have times though where I prevailed over the temptation to bitter and let stress reign and my husband and I learned a lot about one another!

All in all the past 15 months have been a total roller coaster of good and bad but God had a plan and purpose for each single day however it turned out.

The house still remains unsold but, again with God and His divine plan, He provided me a part-time job at a Christian bookstore here in Florida. This allowed us to cut out over $600 a month of childcare and made it possible for the kids and I to move down here 3 weeks ago.

I love being a part-time SAHM and delight in all the blessings the Lord has given our family. I have learned sooo much over the past 15 months about my mental and physical capabilities but most importantly about the ability of the Lord. His ability to protect, bless and pour out His grace! We have an amazing Heavenly Father don't we?

So gals I look forward to seeing you again on here and for the time being will remain a Simple Midwest Mom but just relocated, lol!


So that's a real