"Simply Mom"

I can't really say that I am new to blogging, because I have had this blog page for over 3 years now. Occasionally I have logged on, written what was on my mind, re-read it, then deleted! That was BFB (before facebook). :) A few weeks ago I started working on making the page "cute" but still had writers block. What I realize now is, I don't have to say anything profound...I can just say whatever is on my mind. And ask my husband (or family), I have plenty I could ramble on about. My struggle will be to focus my self-diagnosed ADHD brain and stay on topic, so you ("you" being potential readers) can follow me.

After much deliberation over the last 3+ years, I have settled on calling my blog "Simply Mom". There are a few reasons for this title. First and foremost, I am a mom! Second, as mom to a 5 year old girl, 3 year old girl, and a baby boy on the way, "mom" is ALL I hear within any given 30 second period of the day. My chatty girls will "mom" a question out to me, then "mom" another request before hearing my reply to their first shout-out. Then when they are actually playing on their own--what do they play?... "mom"!! Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying it because I know it is a phase of life for the time being, but it can get old. Thirdly, "simply mom" is my title because I am not super mom. I try to keep things simple. I am not the best house-keeper, although I strive to keep our common areas well-kept. I am not a gourmet cook, not that I don't know how to cook, but anything that is served on our table probably took 20-40 minutes to get from the fridge to the plate...or occasionally from the take-out box to the plate. :) We run a business out of our home, so I honestly don't have the time to go "all out" on these things. And ultimately the simplicity gives me more time with my family which is of utmost importance to this busy mom of 3.

Change of Seasons

I just love this time of year! I can see the tiny buds of new leaves forming on the trees, my daylilies are poking up through last years dried up pine straw. I especially love seeing those perennials that look like they have shriveled up and died through the winter come back year after year. It's so exciting--and I paid for them years ago so it's free spring decor!! I will not be surprised if we get one final cold spell--we usually do, but spring is definitely underway. Granted, it's only February, but an early spring is very welcome since spring and fall are my favorite seasons!

This spring will bring a new addition to our family. April 4th we will be welcoming our little boy Wesley into this world. He is already so loved! Abigail and Katelyn walk by and randomly kiss my belly and tell their brother they love him. This has been a fun pregnancy since our girls are old enough to understand and get excited about having a new baby in the house.

Other changes include Jessie's job that he started last October. It has really been such a blessing to have a great job with great insurance. I would say 'it took long enough', but God's timing is always right. After over a year and a half living off of what was intended to be our "side" business, we saw God provide in ways we never could have imagined (that experience is a book in itself). While searching for full-time employment through that time, my husband had applications pending in several work environments outside of his comfort zone: steel mill, police department, etc.  But God provided a job in the food distribution business that we didn't even know about.  After accepting this job, he changed his pursuit of a job with Dorchester County Sheriff's Dept to a reserve position, since this was still something that he really wanted to do.  This is a long process, but one that will be quite rewarding!

Another new "season" we are experiencing as parents is making decisions regarding school. Who knew how difficult this would be. I have to remember to not allow myself to fret and stress over this decision, but trust God that He will give us wisdom and discernment as we seek Him...in everything, but particularly in regard to school. For 5 years, we have had Abigail (our oldest daughter) close under our wing, allowing her to experience new things under our supervision. One of us has always been there to comfort her, answer tough questions, explain situations...and while we will never stop doing that, her little world is expanding just a bit---and that's a tough pill to swallow as a parent. We have prayed over her, and done everything in our ability to protect her precious heart and teach her to make good choices--again, something we will always do!

Just this past week, on February 22nd, Abigail prayed with her daddy and asked Jesus to come into her heart. She said often that He was already in her heart because "I ask Him every night". We told her that you only have to ask Him one time...and she said she wanted Jesus in her heart. She asks questions often about Heaven, and what happens to people who don't know Jesus. She has said that she wants to sing on stage to kids so they can know about Jesus. This has been an ongoing bits-n-pieces conversation for some time now. Her faith is so basic, but the Word says that we should all be like that [Matthew 18:2]. Salvation isn't complicated, Romans 10:9 says "if you declare with your mouth "Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is really that simple! If you allow Him to guide your heart, He will fill you with a peace and reassurance like no other. As Jessie tucked her in that night, she asked "Daddy, Jesus is in my heart now?", "yes" he replied...and she smiled!

Okay, so like anyone else, I tend to worry at times over things such as where our children will go to school, or how I will manage 3 children, our side business, and our home, not to mention my husband out in the field as a volunteer police officer. However, when I get my focus on God and His desires, that peace which surpasses all understanding will guard my mind and heart [Philipians 4:7] and my will then lines up with His will. So yes, salvation is simple, living it out and overcoming your own desire to fix things yourself is the tough part. As this new season of life brings lots of changes in our little family, my desire is to stop trying to figure it all out and to trust God that He will direct our paths.

Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.