Magical Moments from Chicken Soup for the Soul

An insert that I read today and LOVED. Made me feel like my life is normal after all.

Enjoy!

"Maa-maaa!" My two-year-old daughter, Alex, called from her crib. I bounded up the stairs, excited to have the whole day to play with her. I was now, officially, a stay-at-home mom. Lucky enough to have the option, I'd made a tough decision and quit my job as a registered nurse.
"Ready for some fun?" I picked up Alex and gave her a tight squeeze, grateful to finally have the time to conquer all the "mommy-and-me" projects I'd collected from parenting magazines. I could never get to them on weekends, and I was ready to catch up. Alex and I would make animal masks out of paper plates in the morning and homemade Play-Doh in the afternoon. For lunch, I'd use cookie cutters to make edible figurines out of American cheese slices. After her nap, we'd make gift wrap using Alex's handprints. My life could finally be full of the magical moments I imagined filled up the days of stay-at-home mothers everywhere.
While singing nursery rhymes, I poured pancake batter into heart-shaped molds, a breakfast that literally showed my love. As I handed Alex her plate, I took a deep breath of satisfaction; she looked so sweet in her new dress and matching hair bow. The day was ours to enjoy. I turned my back for only a second and was shocked to turn back around to find Alex covered in syrup. I'd imagined pushing my princess through the grocery store in her new outfit, while white-haired ladies nodded approvingly over their shopping carts. The fantasy would have to wait. By the time I changed her clothes, cleaned up the breakfast mess, started the laundry, changed a stinky pull-up, and answered two phone calls, I was already way behind schedule. When would I have time to fit in my list of magical moments? On my way out the door, I noticed a note from my husband telling me to please Express Mail the important papers he'd left on his desk to our accountant. The note went on to say that he needed his shirts from the dry cleaners for tomorrow's business trip, and since I no longer worked and had the whole day, could I make his favorite pot roast for dinner?
I sighed. "Well, Alex. We better get moving."
The line at the post office was out the door with only one clerk on duty. Intrigued by all the packaging materials, Alex kept getting away from me to touch everything. I didn't see the harm until…crash! She knocked over a display of assorted envelopes. I sheepishly cleaned up the mess, thankful a nice man took pity on me and saved my place in line.
From there, we finally headed off to the dry cleaners, but Alex fell asleep in the car. I wanted to run in and leave her napping, but I sensed child abductors lurking everywhere and decided to just go home and let her sleep in peace.
As soon as I turned off the car engine, Alex's eyes shot open and she wailed out a tired cry. As I carried her into the house, I sobbed with her, my high expectations spilling out with my tears. What happened to our perfect day?
When did stay-at-home moms fit in all those quality child-parent activities? I wouldn't even let myself think about my other goals to commit to a regular exercise schedule and start an at-home business. I had really been clueless about this stay-at-home-mom stuff.
Hugging my precious daughter, we rocked and sniffled together. "You're my honey-bear," I whispered, feeling the weight of her sink into me. Her eyes gently shut, and I held her until she fell back asleep in my arms. I stroked the soft hair that curled above her neck and breathed in her smell, a mixture of sweat and maple syrup. Taking a deep breath, I relaxed for the first time that day. I was there with my daughter, forgetting about my to-do list, and it felt good.
Still, it took years for me to realize that such moments were the best and far surpassed the ones I tried to invent with heart-shaped pancakes or processed cheese sculptures. The less I tried to create life's magical moments, the more I was able to notice them when they naturally happened. And they were even more delicious as surprises.

Sometimes I honestly get so caught up in life, the many, many, many things to do in life that I don't see these things.

Like Bella, she is so independant. I don't even realize how much she just does herself. Even at times when I try to help her and she tells me she can do it herself, and then really does without incident.

Or Marcus, who most of the time is driving me batty, actually does something without me telling him to. I am so used to having to hover and tell him every move to make that sometimes I find I don't notice when he actually does it.

Natalie is so helpful. She is a little bossy but over all likes to help withour complaint. Sometimes she will come in and play with her little sister and brother and I will go off and start cleaning something and don't even recognize her for the help she is actually giving me.

My children are such a blessing. I thank God daily that he picked me to be in their lives.

Some Pictures!

The Welch's

Randomness

Holy cow we have been so busy. The time is just flying by. Let's see we have football, football, football. Marcus' Jaguars team is kicking some booty this year. They are 3-0! Marcus has lost almost 15 lbs. since football started. He is very happy about that. He is still workin hard in school and loving it! All my pics of him are on Frank's phone, so I will have to add his pic's later.

Miss Natalie is enjoying Cheer. She actually has strained the muscles in her arm so she has been out this week. She's isn't happy about sitting out, but she can't hardly raise her arm so mom thinks it's best. She is all A's in school so far this year. If she even makes a B she gets all upset and says "mom I am not doing good, I am making bad grades." Somtimes I think she wants us to be mad at her for something. Silly girl. She is very happy go lucky fo the most part.

Our little Bella, with all the attitude in the world. I just thank goodness that her attitude isn't bad. Normally just the hand on the hip to talk. It's almost like there is a string attached from her mouth to her hand. If the mouth opens the hand goes on the hip. So funny. Hard not -----> to laugh sometimes. I started babysitting a little girl right at her age and they have been having lots of fun. She loves to color, paint, just about any kind of project she is up for. Her cousin's came to see us and they had fun playing also. We went to Chuck E Cheese and they had a blast. She didn't want them to go home and asks about when they are coming back almost daily.

Mr. Aden is almost 1. His birthday is alost here. He is almost walking, but doesn't want you to help him. He will just stop crawling right in the middle of the floor and stand up and try to take off. He loves to make messes. Laughs most of the time when you tell him no. Loves to play with all the kids. His new favorite toy is the red and blue car outside. He LOVES it. If he sees someone else sitting in it he will start crawling after them yelling and crying. Too Funny! Time is just flying. It seems like just last week I was stanging at Marcus' football game in labor. We will be going to Mena for his birthday. He is actually going to have his party with his cousins b/c they are all just days apart. As I sit here he is taking all the papers off my desk and throwing them in the floor. As I tell him NO he smiles at me and keeps going.

Life is good. We had been struggling for a while about looking for a new church. We have been feeling like God has been leading us somewhere else. We feel like we are needing something more. Finally we listened and what do you know God was right. :) We had an amazing service and reassurance. We are growing and listening to God. We are learning to not be ashamed to do and tell others about what God is doing in our lives. I have been led to start a new life group in NWA called NWA Christian Kids. It's a family group for all christian families to come together and fellowship and grow together in Christ. I am so proud that God has chosen little ol me. Don't ever think you aren't good enough, or why me? God knows what he is doing. I am asking for his guidance daily. He will lead me to the people he wants and those people to us. Frank got a promotion at work (well actually the just gave him the title and money to go along with what he was already doing). We weren't even expecting it. God is good and is always looking out for us. Patience is something I always talk about and I am learning all the time. It's paying off b/c this time I didn't even expect it. I am going to the specialist tomorrow to hopefully figure out what's going on with my stomach and get it fixed. I am ready to be fixed!

Enjoy Life!

Falling into Changes

It's just about Fall and the weather is perfect. Although it has rained more than normal, I have enjoyed it. So with fall coming means schedules change and things get really busy again. Which I have come to like. When things are slow it throws me off and I get lazy.

So we have football for Marcus. So far they have played and won 1 game. Last nights game got canceled due to weather. He is loving it! Has friends from school on his team. Things this year are going well for him.

Natalie is enjoying cheer. I am just glad she is having fun b/c the parents and coach have had some issues, but at last Sat. game we were able to talk to the director (which just happens to be our coach's sister) about LOTS of our concerns and they are working on making some changes. We have our fingers crossed that we will see some real cheering, actually get our uniforms in before the season is over and not have a grouchy/look at me coach. It's not about her it's about our girls!

Miss Bella is loving all the going. She likes to be on the go. If she even sees us getting clothes on or shoes on she says "what's going on mom? What are we doing? or Let's go mom, I want to go bye-bye! She even cheers with Natalie sometimes at practice. She gets to play at the park at both Marcus' and Natalie's practices and at the field where they play/cheer. She has been a happy girl. She also is becoming very artistic. She has recently colored on 2 more walls in our house. I think her daddy is about to loose it. :) She loves to write, color, paint, any kind of artistic activities she is in!

Mr. Aden is getting too big too fast. He is just this week getting 2 more teeth on the top. He seems to always get 2 at a time. He is in the "my parents or brothers and sisters can't be out of my site" stage. He will go and start playing, but if he seems one of us he gets upset. Hopefully it won't last long. He pulls up on everything. From about a week of trying it he was all bruised up b/c he always wants to stand. He is crawling everywhere. He will even get on his hands and toes and stand up on his own, he wants to walk so bad. His birthday is next month and I am betting he will be walking by then. If his big brother and sister will stop picking him up. :) We just started giving him milk and he is doing fine with it, we are also using more cup and not so much bottle. That he doesn't mind unless he is tired, then he wants the bottle.

Frank is working hard, as always. He is also doing the P90X which he is really pumped about. He is really loosing weight though and gaining muscle. It's right up his alley so he is happy. That's pretty much all I hear about. :)

I have been feeling well this week. My Dr. apt. got canceled last week. I was bummed but we all had stomach flu so I really couldn't make it. I am looking forward to going though. I actually want to find out what's going on and get it fixed. As I have said before I am tired of being sick and tired. Laundry is still kickin my booty. Have a pile sitting right here staring at me. Guess I better go get busy with the day!

The gift of Kindness is a Blessing itself.

Have you ever heard it's better to give than receive?

Our church did a series on servolution a while back, and man we gave and gave and are still giving. You know at some point the thought of ok, what will my blessing be? (don't act like I just said something wrong you know it always happens). Well let me tell you that my blessing in return is the wonderful feeling I get just knowing that I am serving others for my God. I am working for him. That amazing breath of fresh air is all I need.

I am not a wealthy girl by any means. Lately getting to go to the grocery store every 2 weeks is all the shopping I get to do. Barely paying bills is hard. But we do it, we always make it through. One way or another it happens. We figure up our bills and it seems we don't have enough or will just barely have enough. BUT it always is.

God is so amazing. I love learning and growing through him.

So through the servolution we made sure our kiddo's were getting this message to. They helped pass out food at the ER, they helped pass out snacks and water to people in the hot weather, they helped give things (of their own) to the Children's Shelter and they helped pack the stuff up we received so we could take it. It felt good. They were proud that they were able to help. They even talked about helping at the shelter if they could. That made us proud. It's so good to see at times that your children have God in their hearts. That is another blessing in itself. I get so afraid sometimes with them having to be "in this world."

I haven't got to get out much lately with having no money and being sick. So yesterday was my first day with everyone well. I was thinking man I have SO much to do. Laundry, more cleaning, paying bills, just trying to catch up. So first thing in the morning I sat down and started reading in Mark. That alone gave me peace. I haven't been able to sit down and read in over a week. I just get to read as I walk past my Bible sitting open on the counter. I felt so peaceful. I just said that you God for helping me right now, I love you too! Throughout the day I just felt so at peace with everything I did. The laundry got started, the kids played/sang/read/fed, Marcus and Natalie came home with loads of homework from being sick so we worked on that and the day was peaceful. In the afternoon is when it normally gets more hectic. The kids come home, homework to be done, getting ready for their practices, dinner, clean up, showers and all that comes with it. Yesterday I had to go get groceries (we had nothing), Natalie had a PTC and practice and it was getting late fast. It seems as though things just always happen and I forget to breathe. Just go with the wind that blowing. I often have to find myself in it all. God giving me peace really helps. :)

So yesterday afternoon when I am trying to get everything done of course little things just keep poppin up, out of gas, lost my ATM card, have to drive clear across town to get Franks......ya things just happened. So I am starting to panic (my anxiety) thinking I am not going to make it to Aldi's and Sam's in time. They are going to be closed. And then God gave me peace, I just said Thank you Lord I hear you. I just told myself I am going to get in the van, drive to where I need to go and get the things I need to get. That's it.

I get to Aldi's with plenty of time to spare. While I'm there I see God's love and kindness happening through others, even if they don't realize it. There were 2 older ladies 2 carts in front of me, it was a mother and daughter and they were older. The daughter seemed a little stressed at the older mom. While they were putting their groceries on the belt some of their items fell off and went under their buggy. There was a Hispanic gentleman and a pregnant girl with 3 kids in between us. Well the man gets all the ladies items that fell and places them back on the belt. The older lady thanked him, with a surprised look on her face. You could tell she didn't expect it. I was proud at that moment, a simple act of kindness. The man then took his 3 kids to the car and left the pregnant girl to get the groceries. When she was up to the conveyor the older lady in front of her came back and helped her unload her groceries. A simple act of kindness. As the older ladies were packing their groceries into their bags one asked the worker where a certain product was b/c they couldn't find it. I was still standing in line and when I looked up I saw what she was asking for, so with a simple act of kindness I went over got the product for the lady and got it for them. I was so proud of those little things that God had done right there. I felt so blessed to see and be a part of it. I know others in the line behind us saw it too!

I also paid for a meal for someone, and that's when the little person sitting on my shoulder said, ok so what's my blessing going to be? And with that I took a deep breath in and said this wonderful day, this wonderful feeling of peace and love that God has given me is more than enough.

A simple act of kindness is all it takes to show God's love!

Living the Dream

For Sure!

Work, 4 kids, home, school and everything that goes along with it.

My #1 Dream is to see God!

I often in the past had to make myself slow down to fit God in. With my growth, strength and patience I have notice in time that I don't have to fit him in.

For 1 he is always there and 2 I listen always.

I am so thankful for growth and his guidance. Through him I grow daily, I learn daily and I live daily! He is always on my mind in everything I do. From feeling guilty about my road rage to yelling at the kids to singing praise while doing laundry.

I love that I am free to live it! Thank you Lord!

Woo What a Weekend.....Tuesday Oops!

So Monday was Labor Day and we were out having fun, so it's Tuesday and here's a review of our long weekend.

Friday we were off to Mena for a few short days. Hung out with all the grandma's and aunts and uncles. Had lots of fun!

Saturday was jam packed! First off to see mamaw and nana, then back to grandma's to go to the fair. The kids rode rides and saw all the farm animals. I stayed at nana's and me and Hannah got all the good ready for Jamie's baby shower.
The shower was fun and my One and Only hubby won the baby changing contest. All clothes and diaper on the right way in 57 seconds. And no he wasn't even rough with the baby.
Then the family went down to grandpa's grave and put the headstone down. We sand the Lords Prayer and talked about ways we remember our Po.

Then Sunday was a run, run, run day. Got up, started packing, went and loaded the new furniture we got from Nana, then back to grandma's to finish packing and head to papaw Jim's for a cookout. The cookout was fun. Marcus caught 4 fish in the pond, Natalie and Bella played with all their cousins and Aden was passed from person to person so he wouldn't knock anything down at papaws and break it.

Then by 3 we were headed home! It was a long trip. I never like the trips when we all aren't together in the same vehicle. Although Natalie was good company when she was awake. :)

Home to unpack and go grocery shopping! FINALLY!