Something more

Gathered around the dinner table eating a homemade meal is a favorite tradition in our family. Hubby will ask about my day and I share with him the mundane tasks I accomplished. You know I washed the clothes, vacuumed, wiped bottoms, said no about 1,000 times over and during nap time tried to put back together a house destroyed by two curious little boys. That's my day every. single. day. After sharing my day it's his turn to share his. His day usually consists of discovering new ways to save his company hundreds of thousands of dollars, meeting with fun people, jet setting all over the world in first class, and sometimes a few rounds of golf. He's valuable to his company and gets recognition for his hard work. He's relevant to people.

Lately I've been finding longing for that type of freedom, longing for that kind of value. I feel trapped behind diapers, laundry, meals, and other mundane tasks. I can't go to the grocery store any time I feel like it, heck I can barely find the time to wash my hair! (yes, I take baths but washing my hair is whole other luxury) It's so frustrating to hear my sister say, (who is single without children) "Well, this is the life you wanted."

That's true. I longed for this life and I wouldn't trade my boys for the world. I love them so much!! But today, today I'm struggling. Today Satan is pulling out all the stops. He's telling me that as a stay at home mom I am nothing more than a babysitter. That I hold no value. I know that these are lies. I know that God's calling is for me to stay home with my boys to instill God's truth in their hearts. And I know that, that will have a generational impact. I know all those things...

But that doesn't mean that I'm not human. That doesn't mean that I don't find myself struggling with a little bit of jealousy towards my husband when I hear of his adventurous and important role in the business world. Sigh... I am not perfect and with God's strength I will get past this slump. Now back to wiping noses and bottoms.

 Have you ever felt like this?

Edited to add: Those that know him in real life already know this but I wanted to make it clear to others that don't. My husband is an incredibly encouraging man. Who daily praises my hard work at home and prays faithfully for his family. I am incredibly thankful for his job and for his leadership in our home.

10 year old blind autistic boy

Have you seen this video? Incredible.

streams of consciousness

Hubby's mom's recovery has taken a turn. She seems to be in a lot of pain and is not alert like she was during Christmas. It's so hard for the family to see her in the condition she is currently in. We continue to pray for peace and mercy on her.

On a lighter note Cohen started walking a few weeks ago and is now walking everywhere. It's so fun to watch him hold his arms in the air like a monkey and waddle to where ever he's going. How can he already be old enough to start walking?!

 Did any of you watch the new Betty White show "Off Their Rockers". Hubby and I have never laughed so hard. So funny!!!

I made these shirts for the photo business. What do you think?

I hope you all are well! I need to catch up on all your blogs soon!! 

He rocks it..

He rocks his fedora and his tie.

(this photo is copyrighted by Pixel Perfect Photography. Do not steal!) 

I love him..

Love his laugh, smile, silliness, and the fact that he is snuggly. 

New Years

We enjoyed a quiet new years this year unlike last year. Hubby and I stayed up to ring in the new year while our little guys slept, until they were awoken by fire works.

Last year I set a few new years resolutions and I actually met my goal with one of them! Goodbye baby wait and I became reacquainted with the same weight I was in high school. WOOHOO!

This year I want to continue setting goal for myself both physically and spiritually. I'm sharing them with you because that some how sets it in stone.

1. I want to continue working out, no longer for weight loss but to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

2. I want to eat out less. The last half of last year we ate out a lot due to the craziness going on in the family.

3. Blogging!! I have missed blogging so much. I really hope to get back to it on a regular basis.

4. I want to pray more and spend more time with Him.

5. I want to surrender my need to be right in exchange for the opportunity to love.

6. I want to "be still" more often than not.

7. I want to learn to speak the truth in love....LOVE...LOVE!! I often forget about the love part.

What about you guys? Any new years resolutions?

Happy New Year!!

I had a few posts that were scheduled to post but never did. :/ Which is why it's been quiet around here. I will get that figured out shortly!

But until then Have a Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas

I hope you all have a great time celebrating this holiday season. Merry Christmas! 

2011

This year, or at least the past 6 months will go down as being one of the most trying years to date and I feel like I always say that at the end of each year. But there is always a new challenge that we end up facing that we haven't faced in years past and most of those challenges we didn't see coming.

We are being faced with another "didn't see that one coming" challenge right now. I can't share what it is but I can not stress to you enough how much we need prayers right now.

I am thankful that this challenge has nothing to do with my marriage, hubby's job or my boys. (although being a stay at home mom is a challenge within itself..right?) Just thought I should be clear about that. I haven't been a very good blogger this year and just because my husband's presence on the blog has been lacking it isn't a reflection of how we're doing. :) I still can't believe I'm lucky enough to be married to him!

Hubby is having a hard time with everything going on with his mom but we have grown closer through that. It's still so strange to think 6 months ago she was seemingly fine and is now almost in a vegetative state. The past few weeks she had quit progressing and began to regress. She wouldn't respond to commands and she would barely wake up. They also discovered a new tumor that they are unable to perform surgery on. But on Saturday hubby and I went to visit her and we were so encouraged by her responses. She answered questions by nodding her head yes and shaking her head no. She would squeeze hands and point on command. When asked hubby's name she was even able to mouth it! When we went to leave she lifted her hand from her chest (this is huge) and she waved!!

We are so thankful to the Lord for allowing us (hubby, hubby's brother, myself, and hubby's dad) to witness that! We have learned to be thankful for the little miracles and take each day as it comes.

Please continue to pray for Nancy, praise the Lord for the alertness and for the awesome facility she is in that is filled with believers!

 And if you wouldn't mind praying for the new challenge that we are facing.

You may not have noticed it but I added a new family picture to the blog if you look under "meet monica". But to save you the time and the click I will add it to this post too. This is the one we put on our Christmas cards.

Christmas is this week!! The boys are excited about celebrating Jesus' birthday!!

Balloon man

This little guy carried this balloon around with him everywhere.

Now we are off to brave the lines and finish the last bit of Christmas shopping we have! If you don't hear from me in a few days..send help! 

Have a great weekend! To Him be the glory!