Snow Fun

Due to my husband's new work schedule, working from 2 am to 11:30 am, Mon-Fri. we have had a very limited amount of time together. We are blessed enough to have opportunities to be together during the day, for example on a school ski trip. Richard was able to drive up to join Kaitlyn and I on the slopes, and despite the slushy snow, it made for a wonderful day together :-)

Best Friends

I will attempt to catch up on my blogging, as I am behind according to a conversation with my father :-)

Every girl needs her friends, and my daughter is blessed with many, but her best friends these days are: Madalyn, Britton and Sarah. We were blessed enough to have all three spend the night, on January 17, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, (and no school :-) My poor husband put up with all of their escapades, which included nail polish, snacks, girl movies and even getting stuck in the creek :-) I endured it all, and even was able to create a yummy cobbler for them, out of my new favorite cookbook The Pioneer Woman Cooks... I am so thankful for my daughters BFF's!

Hello 2 Am...

My beloved husband has a new schedule at work, 2-10:30 AM. Needless to say, it has been a rough week for us, and I am so thankful that it is Friday, because I am exhausted, and I know that he is worn out as well. I continue to trust that God has a plan for our lives and I am thankful that He has provided this job for our family. But I could really use a nap right now...

My Tuesday Escape...

My Tuesday escape is to Harvest Art Studio, where my beautiful daughter is blessed enough to attend art class, taught by the very talented and amazing Janis Yerrington. Yesterday, was a wonderful example of why I am so blessed to have the opportunity to sneak away. While Kaitlyn was in Heaven, creating some new form of artwork and learning about the beauty of the world, I was able to sit by a warm fire (all by myself) and grade papers, check facebook, and flip through a magazine. It was such a treat, to be able to relax for a few minutes and take a timeout from the craziness of the day! Thank you so much Lord for blessing Kaitlyn and I with this gift!

Family Picture Time...

We recently were able to have a session of family pictures taken, by a wonderful photographer named Jodi Mockabee. We were so blessed to have her capture some great moments, in beautiful Tuolumne, of our new family. Thank you Jodi so much! Check out her amazing photography blog!

My Calling...

As I contemplate my fifth year of teaching, I cannot help but experience a wave of emotions both fulfilling and exhausting...

Trying to balance everything during this time of year, is always difficult for me, and I feel very overwhelmed at the thought of trying to go to work all day, work on clearing my credential (Another California requirement) and then go home and be mommy and wife.

I am so blessed to be able to work at a Christian School, where I go to work every morning at the same place, that my daughter is at, and that I am able to praise and worship with the staff, students and family of my school. I have had wonderful mentors, friends, parents and students that have changed my life in positive ways. I love that my husband supports my decision to work in this place, and that God has continued to pour out his blessings upon my family, in order that I can continue to work here.

I often wonder what I am supposed to do with my life, and with the talents God has given me. Am I supposed to stay at home, when Richard and I have children? Continue working where I am at? Pursue a different job, so that I can financially provide more? Give Richard more options for work?

I have only 5 more years before Kaitlyn is in High School, and in that very short amount of time, so much can change. I love the fact that I can go to work, and see her even on the days when she is at her father's house. I do not want to take for granted the blessing that God has provided me in that situation. I also want my husband to be happy, and be able to pursue another career if he desires...

I guess that I can rest assured in the fact, that God knows the desires of my heart and that He has a perfect plan for my little family!

My Mom

Today, I am so thankful for my mom! She is the most generous and loving person I know. Today she blessed my life by making me a chocolate cake, homemade refried beans, and rice to help me in preparing a birthday lunch, for one of my beloved friends, Rebecca. She is always willing to help, encourage, and straight out tell me what to do, when I need advice (or even when I don't :-)

Anyways, my mom is AMAZING! I couldn't do it without her!

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her..."

Proverbs 31: 26-28