Surround Yourself with Those Who You Can Call FRIEND

Looking up at the tree tops, I lay on my back swinging with Chase laying on my tummy.  The back yard is cool with the shade of the old trees that rise above my home, their branches dancing about with the wind tickling each leaf...  The kids and I retreated to the backyard since the air conditioner decided it was too tired to run anymore.  Before leaving the inside of our stuffy house I left a quick status update on the social internet highway.  Quickly, I received invites from friends to come to their home and cool off...

It may have taken many years to realize what true friends are, what they are to me and what I am to them; what I need to be to them and how I need them to be for me.

We have all seen those catchy emails about having different friends for different seasons and reasons.  It is true.  God puts friends in our lives at the right time that we need them.  We may not even realize it until they have been pulled from our lives to serve as a friend to someone else in need.

I had a very dark time in my life when my spouse passed away.  Little did I know that the Lord had friends that were building deep bonds with me months before the death took place.  Those friends were the ones that held me up and dried my tears while filling my soul with laughter and love.  They remained near by all they way through the time that I meet my current husband.  They held my hand and encouraged me to take the steps to my own happiness.  Shortly after delivering me to my new life, they left to pursue further dreams of their own. Though they are thousands of miles from me, they could not be any closer to my heart.  Blessed to say the least.

Some friends seem to be going through things that you have and you are able to listen and guide them through difficult times.  Other friends have done this for you as well.  Amazingly He puts everyone in place to make sure that you are comforted and reassured that you can make it through those tough times.

Of course, unexpected friends are great too.  It could be someone that your children play with their children, participate in sports with, scouts or homeschool activities.  A lot of the time you think that these women seem nice.  However, you don't foresee the opportunities that could lie in friendships with them but you count your blessings when little things happen to remind you how wonderful it is when they are there.  You begin to learn that this are extraordinary women lying in the bodies of ordinary mothers.  They amaze you in the everyday things.

Then there are those friends that you never seem to forget about.  They leave a permanent impression on your heart.  They began as your childhood buddy or maybe a high school pal.  You grew up together sharing tea parties and talking about boys with.  Your families moved away from another but you held fast to write letters to one another.  Twist of faith and you loose touched.  You never stop thinking about them; caring about them.  Then by the Grace of God, you find one another against all the odds.  Not only do you pick up where you left off, it is better than ever.

In my life, I have a variety of friends that bless me with their friendship, no two are alike.  I can't imagine life without each and every one.  The spots that they hold in my heart is priceless.

"Most people come into our lives and quickly leave. It is the special few that come in and leave a footprint in our hearts. and we are forever changed."



"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

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What a wonderful way to start my day!

Can I tell you that the most wonderful way to wake up is with your precious baby nestled at your bosom.  In the wee hours when my vision is still blurry and I can hear the birds singing their song outside my bedroom window, I get to hold Chase, my youngest.  He is 7 1/2 months old and still nursing.  As he suckles his morning breakfast, his little soft hands hold on to my fingers.  There is no drug, no coffee, no diet coke (my drug of choice) that can wake me up in a better mood than Chase is able to.  

His innocence that is still dancing in his soul.  His thoughts are pure.  In his eyes, I have hung the moon and carefully placed stars to dance and entertain him.  Though he does not know what love is, he loves me with out a thought.  It is natural to him to trust and love me.  How precious.  How lucky am I.  Blessed by God to put this child in my life just when HE knew that I would need him so.  My SAVIOR graced me.  He graced our family.  We could not love him anymore than we do.  

Chase looks into my eyes and breaks away.  Smiles, coos and then attaches back to me.  I breath a deep breath and know that today may have it's challenges but all will be good.  Life is GOoD.  I am thankful.

Overwhelmed to say the least

There are days when my head is cringing as the two little creatures that I call my children are arguing once again. What are they arguing about you ask?  Well, the same old things - "He is being RUDE" she sates.  " She won't mind her own business and she is singing again!" Seriously?  What in the world am I thinking to take on homeschooling BOTH darling little angels in the fall?  (note the sarcasm) 

I like to think of myself as intelligent, creative and all in all a well rounded person.   I am not the most disciplined individual however.  This past year homeschooling my oldest, Alexander has been a journey.  Poor guy got more home economics than anything else.  He can change a diaper, rock a baby and make a fussy baby laugh.  I don't know about Harvard in his future but he will be a GREAT daddy and husband.  At this rate, there is going to be one lucky lady who is married to him.  However, they better have a good job to take care of their stay at home husband.  Did I tell you that he has mastered bathrooms, laundry and kitchen floors?  Joking set aside.  I don't know how I would of made it these past 7 months without him at home with me.  He has been a wonderful help to me and the baby, Chase.  How many new moms get to take a shower as needed?  

Back to the real issues.  I have struggled to teach Alexander all that he should of learned this year.  He was already throughly behind in everything.  How the public school system let him through is beyond me.  Snitzer doodle!  My intentions were good.  Agendas were bought and filled out.  He had his and I had mine.  They were very pretty/whimsical with Christian info and also had helpful stories for homeschool teachers like me.  By January they were MIA.  That is Missing In Action.  I did sign him up for science class and felt like he was learning something but he scored a 73.  Oh well, next!

The two older little darlings are going to need to learn to have a little compassion for one another or their cute little bums will find themselves returning to the schools of their nightmares.

A Little About Me (that is original)

The usual things - Married mother of three.  My children are aged 12 years, 10 years and 7 months.  Yes, the third child is that second time around baby.  My older children's father passed away many years ago when they were very small.  The good Lord blessed us with a wonderful man five years ago.  He has been amazing walking into a ready made family.

I currently homeschool my 12 year old.  The school system here is not a good match for him.  So I ventured into homeschooling in 2010.  That was one of those things I said I would NEVER do.  Never say NEVER.  This summer I am pulling my 10 year old out of public schools to homeschool as well.  Say many prayers for me please.  I will need them.  Most of the time I feel like I am not measuring up to the other homeschool moms around me.  They seem to have it all together.  I feel more like I am doing the dog paddle to keep up while they are doing the breaststroke.

Life has been a roller-coaster for me.  I have experienced more that I would have like to in the "downers" but have also had many "uppers" that continue to outnumber the other.  Life hasn't been easy and there are times that I just want to SCREAM.   I know that much still lies ahead of me.  So, I will just throw my arms up and enjoy the ride.  "Weeeeeeee"  What else should I do?  The Lord gives us this journey to mold us into the person that He see fit; not what I see as fit or what my neighbor Susie Mae sees fit.