Let Me Encourage You, Stay At Home Mom...

I'm finding that time has become a very precious commodity in my life. I mean, it always has been, but I took it for granted everyday of my life.

I've found that, as a SAHM, what I considered to be me running out of time, was in all actuality, me being lazy.

So many days, so many things didn't get done just because I chose not to do them.

Now that I'm back in the work-world, so many things doesn't get done because I literally run out of time.

The greatest lesson I'm learning though is that things aren't falling apart because they're not getting done. No dust police have come into my home with their white gloves on and arrested me because their white gloved finger is now black.

We haven't went without a meal because of dirty dishes and we haven't pulled out the 'fine china' (aka, paper plates) to compensate.

It's made me look back and wonder just how much time as a SAHM did I waste? Not in laziness, because I've already established the fact that I was indeed lazy at times, but how much time did I waste enjoying my children and being a better wife for my husband because of the dust police?

Yes, I do find myself in quite the battle at times because when folks show up at my house they are probably going to walk across sand-gritty floors. Most likely there is going to be dishes in the sink and on the counter with bread or cookie crumbs scattered about. Guess what I'm learning? It's OK.

With my daughter getting married in four months, I'm learning that dust bunnies pale in comparison to laying across the bed and catching up with my teenager.

With my son struggling in his walk with God, I'm learning that reading the Word with him and allowing him to see me in the Word more and in prayer more, is far more important than shiny sinks and immaculate floors.

I don't label myself as a failure as a mom and wife....although satan would have me believe that, but I do see where my priorities aren't always what they should have been.

So my sweet SAHM friend, listen to a lady who has been there and is still in the process of learning mighty lessons......a clean house and a well taken care of family is much desired and worthy of praise, but nothing is more important the relationships you build with your family and with your Father.

Making a Return!!

I so miss my blogging. But I have to confess that I have had some time to blog, I've chosen not to. I've been struggling within myself, trying to decide if I've turned my back on everything I believe in. A revelation...I haven't.

I still firmly believe that the best place for a mom is at home with her children. I still believe that any financial sacrifice is worth the blessings of teaching and training your children. As I've said before on here, that doesn't mean if a mom has to work outside the home that she's a bad mom...life has a way of throwing us curve balls when we least expect it.

However, I've also come to realize that now that this season of my life is past, it's time to begin anew...fresh. My children still live at home. My daughter will soon be getting married and moving out, but our son, who is fresh out of highschool, will be here a while longer. We are learning to work family time around very different schedules and bask in the reality that dinner together one night a week is truly a God-send!!

Even though when I accepted the position that I'm on, I was very angry...at my husband and yes, even at God.....I realize now that my obedience to my husband's wishes has brought me the blessing of a wonderful job with a wonderful boss and some awesome co-workers. You see, by being submissive to my husband--even when I didn't want to be--brought God's blessings!! How wonderful!!!!

This position is enabling us to give more liberally to our church. It is enabling us to pay off debt. It is paying for our daughter's wedding without putting a crunch on our budget. How fantastic God in His wisdom is!!!

With that, I am going to try to begin posting about once a week--at least in the beginning. One Single Minute is going to be taking a bit of a different course than in days gone by. I'll still be focusing on being a Proverbs 31 woman...a submissive wife..but I will also be sharing what God brings my way in this new season of my life.

Let me encourage you...even when you don't agree with Him...even when you're angry with Him...He is faithful. Don't we serve a wonderful God??!!

Oh my, how time does get by me now!!! If I thought my days went quickly before, getting this job has just magnified that!!!

Things are going good on the job. I'm quickly learning many things, and can even call many of our patients by name when they walk through the door now!! Thankfully, I'm blessed that I enjoy my co-workers and (most) of my patients....as in anything else, there are just times when personalities clash no matter how hard you try.

One thing I've learned for certain is to make sure that whenever I go to a doctor's office now, I'm incredibly patient and always talk with the person at the front desk in a pleasant manner. While I always tried to live by that rule anyway, it's become even more important now that I'm the one working the front desk.

Yes, things do "happen" that will suddenly put the doctor twenty minutes behind. Yes, people do just walk in expecting to be seen right away and even when they get worked in when there is a lull...it inevitably puts things behind. Yes, people are late and that puts everything behind...including the time I get to walk out the door for the night!! No, I can't devote 100% of my attention to the patient signing in, the patient checking out, the patient needing to go back to an exam room and the patient on the phone at the same time!! Someone will get the short end of the stick... I'm not complaining by no means, just sharing the things I've learned and realized in a very short amount of time!!

On the home front, we have settled into our routine..and it's a routine that is always adjusting!! It puts a new meaning to 'never a dull moment'!!

The biggest and newest news though came last Friday night. Last Friday night DD went on a date with her boyfriend and came home engaged!! Yes, we already knew about it because he came to us and asked our permission and our blessing a week earlier. It made for a long week for this mom since I could hardly look at my baby girl without tearing up!!

She is SO excited...actually that might be a bit of an understatement...the big day?? December 4 of this year!! Doesn't leave a lot of time for me to absorb my beautiful daughter to the uttermost before she moves into her own home. I have to admit mixed emotions. I'm thrilled for her and the fiance` is a wonderful, young, Christian man, but at the same time I will truly be writing "The End" to a chapter of our lives that has been going on for almost 20 years.

However, a wedding puts me much closer to being a grandma now doesn't it??!! :o)

So there we are.. another quick post catching you up on this beautiful, wonderful, ever changing life of mine. Thanks to all of you still trying to keep up with me. I do the best I can to visit all of you still from time to time.

Here is a of pic of the newly engaged!!..


And the engagement ring...


The wonderful thing about the ring is that is was my Mother-in-law's (over 42 years ago). They were passed to my husband and me when we married over 26 years ago and now my daughter is proudly wearing them. What a wonderful legacy!!

Graduation

On May 22, 2010, we graduated our baby. He is 17 years old and out of high school now. We have homeschooled his whole life...it's all he's ever known. He's a well rounded, intelligent, happy young man and we are so very proud of him.

He has so many things that he enjoys but one of his favorite things is to run sound boards for bands. We've lovingly dubbed him our 'A/V junkie' and while it's a passion for him, with graduation he announced what his plans for the future are....our son is going to enter college in the spring and take 2 years of criminal justice. When he turns 21, he will join the police academy and become a police officer with a goal of being on the SWAT team. (BIG sigh.......) How proud I am and how this Mama heart fills her throat. I'm sure God has big plans for his life. After all, saving him in the womb is proof of that....I trusted God with his life then, and I will continue to trust God for his life now.

Enjoy just a few pictures from his big night!!...



Even celebrating..he's not crazy about crowds!


The big moment...diploma in hand!!


Gift time!! Sure to bring a smile!!

Son...I'm so very proud of you!!! I pray God's blessings on your life...

Blogging on the Run!!

I'm one month into the new job and I must say that I'm making progress...GOOD progress. I'm getting past the frustrations of my world being turned upside down. I'm coping with a house that isn't spotless, or cleaned the way "mom would do it", but it is clean and we're managing just fine.

About my God time. I spent the good portion of this past month explaining to God that I didn't have time to spend time with Him. I've whined and complained and decided in my mind that it just couldn't be done when God took things in His own hands. Last Sunday, my SS teacher asked me to teach the ladies class for the next two weeks. Well of course I began to give her all of the reasons why I couldn't do it. She just smiled and quietly said, " Deb, I'm sure you'll do fine." What could I do??

I've realized over this week that teaching this class was God's way of disciplining His daughter. Of course I have time to hang out with Him....I just have to make it a priority to do it, and by dropping this class in my lap, even for just a couple of weeks, He made His point...it's time to quit whining and complaining and get back to life. It's just a new chapter, not the end of the world.

I took my spanking, repented and find myself now thankful for this job that He blessed me with.

The facts are: I DO enjoy my job. I have some of the kindest patients and they do a better job of blessing me than I do of blessing them. I have a wonderful boss. I don't always agree with him, but he has been patient and kind to me and I'm grateful for that. I get to work with my best girlfriend every day and that is a blessing for both of us!! My family has stepped up to the plate to help around the house. Again...it's not always done like I'd do it, but it's done and I've learned many lessons in humbleness and thankfulness.

On another note: DS graduated from high school last Saturday. Since I don't have to work tomorrow, I'll get busy on here and share some pictures and some moments from that very emotional night.

Got to run for now and change clothes. It's time for church (almost) and tonight is our outreach night. I always love I Care night because I get to go to the homes of our shut ins and hopefully brighten their day!!

Love you my bloggy family!! Thanks for checking in with me as I seem to now be 'Blogging on the Run!!'

Update

Wow. I really miss you guys!! Not getting to blog regularly is a real bummer and I feel like I'm missing out on so much of what's going on in your lives!!! Please keep checking back with me!..there won't be as many posts, but I will try to do my best. I'm not ready to quit just yet!

The new job is going much better. This week I've been mostly on my own and have only needed to chase down the lady that is training me (she's busy learning another position as well!) only occasionally. I'm remembering more than I'm forgetting and the knot that has been living in the pit of my stomach for the last week and a half, is actually loosening up on occasion.

Personally, I still find myself in a bit of a struggle to be at home, but with each passing day things seem to be getting a smidge better (within myself).

DH and the kids have really stepped up to the plate to fill in the gaps that my going back to work has opened. It's been a great lesson for me in humbleness as I go around saying "Thank You" much more than usual.

After eighteen years as a SAHM I'd gotten quite used to taking care of everyone and everything so to let go and let someone else clean the kitchen or wash a load of towels is quite an adjustment.

I've been blessed so much on my job to meet so many wonderful people!! I have laughed and smiled, shared and listened to stories....it's been quite a refreshing experience in many ways.

Another struggle is finding balance....or at the very least, a new kind of balance. The biggest challenge: my God time..DH leaves for work right before me and at night the kids get home anywhere between 8 and 10 p.m. Trying to divide my time has been a tough process of learning and one that I'm still getting lessons on. I could try getting up a little earlier but staying up to check in with the kids at night makes that difficult for me...at least right now...

So there you have it...another rushed post, but hopefully you're caught up and know what's going on in my corner of the world.

What's going on with all of you??