Well it's Friday and it used to be a much anticipated day when I was in the work force. However, now my days tend to just run together and other than avoiding shopping on the weekends and attending church on Sunday's I don't usually pay attention to the days.
Although I wish I had that happy, relaxed Friday feeling I have A LOT to get done today and some I really dread. I dread having to discuss our house listing contract with the realtor. There's a lot of discrepancies in her new contract and I just plain hate dealing with all that legal stuff. Wish me luck gals! I will also be dealing with the mortgage company today as they work to get our payments lowered and I never look forward to that either. I know the Lord will provide me the strength though.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thankful Thursday
I know I have sooo much to be thankful for and I really needed to do this post. The truth is I haven't had a very thankful heart lately. I know all that the Lord has blessed me with but knowing what they are and appreciating them are two separate things.
God's asking me to come out of my comfort zone again and possibly move the second time in three months. I'm having a really tough time with it but I know God is faithful and has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have for you, to give you hope and a future.)
So let's see, things to be thankful for...
1. A Heavenly Father who is REAAALLY patient with me!
2. My husband's job here in Florida that allows me to stay home part time and a second job offer (even if it is 3 states away) after having two years of on and off employment.
3. My sister who has recently recommitted her life to Christ.
4. A new church family in a most unexpected place.
5. A great part time job that's more of a ministry.
6. My wonderful boys.
7. Great friends
I know there are many more things to be thankful for but it's a start. I'm really trying to get the focus off myself and my circumstances and this helped a lot!
So what are you all thankful for?
God's asking me to come out of my comfort zone again and possibly move the second time in three months. I'm having a really tough time with it but I know God is faithful and has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have for you, to give you hope and a future.)
So let's see, things to be thankful for...
1. A Heavenly Father who is REAAALLY patient with me!
2. My husband's job here in Florida that allows me to stay home part time and a second job offer (even if it is 3 states away) after having two years of on and off employment.
3. My sister who has recently recommitted her life to Christ.
4. A new church family in a most unexpected place.
5. A great part time job that's more of a ministry.
6. My wonderful boys.
7. Great friends
I know there are many more things to be thankful for but it's a start. I'm really trying to get the focus off myself and my circumstances and this helped a lot!
So what are you all thankful for?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Homekeeper's Journal
I've decided to give blogging on a somewhat regular basis a try.
Now that I am a part-time SAHM I now see why so many bloggers are SAHM's! We are women and we need to feel connected! Am I right or am I right? Having nothing but Mickey Mouse, Elmo and baby talk for days can wear a girl down!
One of the ways we as women feel connected is to "peak" into the lives of other women and see how they do life. With that said I will randomly partake in The Home Keeper's Journal sponsored by the ChristianHomekeeper.org.
This week’s Journal is all about HOME.
In my homey kitchen …..There are fresh baked banana-nut muffins and choc chip cookies (cheated on these, they're a mix!) in a container ready for little hands to grab. I have a 5 minute bread batch in the fridge. This bread was probably one of my best Internet recipe finds! Good thing no one here is on a low-carb diet. I also have a partially eaten cheesy-Italian bake in the fridge I made for the guys before I had to work at the bookstore tonight.
My thoughts on being at home …… It is a blessing! I remember when Eian was little and actually kind of resenting having to stay home. I missed having "me" time and feeling like I never got anything accomplished but cleaning, cooking, and diaper changing just to do it all over again. I was not a Christian during this period but even if you are being at home is tough IF you lose focus of the purpose. I then went from full-time SAHM to having no choice but to work again full-time in a clerical position.
It didn't take more than one time of dropping my baby off to strangers that I longed to be home again! Due to un-foreseen circumstances I worked away from home full-time for the next 7 1/2 years. Oh how I missed being home to where my heart ached for it. But the Lord in His awesome wisdom and love, He knew the perfect time and here we are. I appreciate it so much and see it as a wonderful gift and a high calling to be able to take care of my family.
I'm getting choked up as I type this, oh my word! But I love watching Play House Disney and watch my lil guy do his funky dance to the theme songs, picking up toys is a pleasure (yes I said pleasure) because there were lil hands that played with them, and meal planning is so much fun and I love trying new recipes. I also have more time to coupon and get the best deals AND I don't have to shop when all the crazies are out on the weekends! I love being home when Eian's out of school, not to mention being able to attend school functions and volunteer without doing anything short of giving a kidney to get out of work. I love the look on my husband's face when he comes home to a sometimes clean home and the smell of something simmering. Is my life PERFECT because I stay home more? Absolutely not but there is more peace and order to our home. That I like, a lot!
A constant habit I have of making my home comfortable is ….keeping it warm and cozy with candles burning and I bake a lot in the winter. But as soon as there's a slight warmth to the air, the windows are opened. I make an effort to at least keep the bathroom clean and nothing smells better to me than bleach in the bathroom! I also strive, as much as one can with an 18month old, to keep things off the floor. I also like to keep clutter contained in lined wicker baskets. You may not find what you're looking for IN them but they look pretty!
What I want my children/spouse/other family to remember about my home is …… that it was a comfortable, relaxed place where they could be themselves and feel welcome.
So what is your home like and your thoughts about it?
Now that I am a part-time SAHM I now see why so many bloggers are SAHM's! We are women and we need to feel connected! Am I right or am I right? Having nothing but Mickey Mouse, Elmo and baby talk for days can wear a girl down!One of the ways we as women feel connected is to "peak" into the lives of other women and see how they do life. With that said I will randomly partake in The Home Keeper's Journal sponsored by the ChristianHomekeeper.org.
This week’s Journal is all about HOME.
In my homey kitchen …..There are fresh baked banana-nut muffins and choc chip cookies (cheated on these, they're a mix!) in a container ready for little hands to grab. I have a 5 minute bread batch in the fridge. This bread was probably one of my best Internet recipe finds! Good thing no one here is on a low-carb diet. I also have a partially eaten cheesy-Italian bake in the fridge I made for the guys before I had to work at the bookstore tonight.
My thoughts on being at home …… It is a blessing! I remember when Eian was little and actually kind of resenting having to stay home. I missed having "me" time and feeling like I never got anything accomplished but cleaning, cooking, and diaper changing just to do it all over again. I was not a Christian during this period but even if you are being at home is tough IF you lose focus of the purpose. I then went from full-time SAHM to having no choice but to work again full-time in a clerical position.
It didn't take more than one time of dropping my baby off to strangers that I longed to be home again! Due to un-foreseen circumstances I worked away from home full-time for the next 7 1/2 years. Oh how I missed being home to where my heart ached for it. But the Lord in His awesome wisdom and love, He knew the perfect time and here we are. I appreciate it so much and see it as a wonderful gift and a high calling to be able to take care of my family.
I'm getting choked up as I type this, oh my word! But I love watching Play House Disney and watch my lil guy do his funky dance to the theme songs, picking up toys is a pleasure (yes I said pleasure) because there were lil hands that played with them, and meal planning is so much fun and I love trying new recipes. I also have more time to coupon and get the best deals AND I don't have to shop when all the crazies are out on the weekends! I love being home when Eian's out of school, not to mention being able to attend school functions and volunteer without doing anything short of giving a kidney to get out of work. I love the look on my husband's face when he comes home to a sometimes clean home and the smell of something simmering. Is my life PERFECT because I stay home more? Absolutely not but there is more peace and order to our home. That I like, a lot!
A constant habit I have of making my home comfortable is ….keeping it warm and cozy with candles burning and I bake a lot in the winter. But as soon as there's a slight warmth to the air, the windows are opened. I make an effort to at least keep the bathroom clean and nothing smells better to me than bleach in the bathroom! I also strive, as much as one can with an 18month old, to keep things off the floor. I also like to keep clutter contained in lined wicker baskets. You may not find what you're looking for IN them but they look pretty!
What I want my children/spouse/other family to remember about my home is …… that it was a comfortable, relaxed place where they could be themselves and feel welcome.
So what is your home like and your thoughts about it?
Win a Free Date Night
Hurry and Enter- Giveaway Winner Will Be Chosen Tuesday 2/01/11
"Free Date Night", that got your attention didn't it? While I can't take care of arranging babysitting for you, I can offer, with the help of Wanchai Ferry and Macaroni Grill and myblogspark.com, a chance to win two dinner kits and a a $25 Visa Gift Card! 
MyBlogSpark also sent me a prize pack to re-create a date night with my hubby! Unfortunately I had to hold onto the dinner kits for quite awhile until David returned from training in Arkansas. So... I was really antsy to make these two dinners when he returned!
MyBlogSpark gave me a Wanchai Ferry Orange chicken boxed dinner kit and a Macaroni Grill boxed dinner kit. I went ahead and made both of these on the same night so we could compare the one we liked best. They were both really good and taste wise they were neck and neck. I found the orange chicken to a little less hassle though with fewer packages to open and less steps. All I had to do was add diced chicken breasts!
These are quick and easy dinners that taste just as if you were going to a restaurant but in the comfort of your own home! Just become a follower of my blog or subscribe to have an entry to win these two dinners and a $25 Visa card. Leave me a comment that you did so.
Thanks to MyBlogSpark for giving my hubby and I an awesome date night in!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Time-Where are you?
A thought crossed my mind today as I stumbled upon (I try to pretend it doesn't exist) the over flowing laundry basket, dirty dishes in the sink, and stack of unpacked boxes. Why does it seem I accomplished more in a day when I worked full time away from the house than it does now that I'm home all day?
The Lord has really been pressing it upon me to get a grip on my time mngt skills or lack thereof. I've been praying, hoping, yearning for years to be at home more and that desire became even stronger after Elias' arrival. I'm now home more often except for the 3-4 five hour shifts I work at the bookstore.
So why do I squander the gift of time God has given me? Why do I often feel pulled in a million different directions wanting to complete a long list of tasks but NOTHING really ever gets done? Why do I find it so easy to shew my kids away and say "In a minute" just so I can get one more seemingly important task done but always feel guilty and unfulfilled? Some of you may be thinking, ADHD which I'm not entirely ruling out, but I know it goes much deeper than that.
So I plan to continue seeking God's Word about how to best use my time and will continually ask for His guidance in putting HIS priorities for me first. In the meantime, I would looove to hear what you all do to keep yourself on track throughout the day and feel free to share your struggles too. I think we could all use the encouragement and to know we're not alone.
Until next time, blessings to you!
The Lord has really been pressing it upon me to get a grip on my time mngt skills or lack thereof. I've been praying, hoping, yearning for years to be at home more and that desire became even stronger after Elias' arrival. I'm now home more often except for the 3-4 five hour shifts I work at the bookstore.
So why do I squander the gift of time God has given me? Why do I often feel pulled in a million different directions wanting to complete a long list of tasks but NOTHING really ever gets done? Why do I find it so easy to shew my kids away and say "In a minute" just so I can get one more seemingly important task done but always feel guilty and unfulfilled? Some of you may be thinking, ADHD which I'm not entirely ruling out, but I know it goes much deeper than that.
So I plan to continue seeking God's Word about how to best use my time and will continually ask for His guidance in putting HIS priorities for me first. In the meantime, I would looove to hear what you all do to keep yourself on track throughout the day and feel free to share your struggles too. I think we could all use the encouragement and to know we're not alone.
Until next time, blessings to you!
Friday, October 22, 2010
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
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
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Making His Blog Debut...Baby Elias!
Introducing:
ELIAS MATTHEW ROACH
Born: July 12, 2009 @ 7:22am
8lbs/1.8oz
21 inches long
Loved By:
His Daddy, Mommy and Big Brother Eian
Elias' Birth Story
Oh God has blessed me! Not only did He bless me with this handsome little boy but He also blessed me with a rather quick and complication free delivery.
I had false labor just three days before I actually delivered Elias. So it made it difficult for me to really determine if I was actually in labor. My true labor started around 1:00 am Sunday (the 12th). I noticed menstrual like cramps when I got up to use the restroom but they felt just like the false labor did a few nights before. I had vowed I would not be fooled again!!! So I tried to ignore them and get some sleep. They were mildly uncomfortable but allowed me to drift in and out sleep. I finally had to get up and move around simply because I had that "burst" of energy you hear about. So I tidied up the kitchen to keep my mind off what I hoped was happening and timing them about 5 minutes apart. This lasted through the early am until around 5:30 staying consistent at the 5 minute mark.
David woke up and asked me my status. I STILL was unsure if I was in true labor or not because they were not becoming more painful like I was told they would. At this point they were very manageable. However, right about that time I felt a strange vibration "down there" almost like a swift kick from the baby. I jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom checking to see if my water broke, but nothing.
David and I decided to go ahead and go in just to be safe. So I changed clothes, put on socks and tennis shoes and low and behold... a big gush went down my leg all the way to my shoes! I was forewarned from my doctor that I would most likely deliver quickly once my water broke because my older son was that way. So the race was on to get to the hospital before we had to resort to my husband scrubbing up!
We got to the hospital shortly after 6:00. We don't live far from and in fact my husband timed himself as getting us there in 7 minutes! In those 7 minutes I had three very strong contractions and so the nurses wasted no time getting me to the delivery room. I was 95% effaced and dilated to 4cm at around 6:20. It seemed like an eternity but in less than an hour and only 3 pushes later our little guy made his entrance into the world!
It was a wonderful bonding experience with my husband as I had to lean on him for comfort from the pain. I hoped to go without the use of pain meds but I went so quick I would not have been able to get them even if I had wanted to. David was great though. he was constantly running to get me ice chips or wet my wash cloth and encouraged me the whole way. I would not change a thing about Elias delivery if I had to do it all over again. Elias is such a wonderful addition to our family. It' hard to imagine our family without him!
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