School is officially back in session!  The calendar is bursting at the seams and my eyes are closed before I hit the pillow at night.  I used to fuss about people keeping their kids so busy, thinking they should just slow down.  There are some days I feel that way about my life and then I remember it's not the number of activities the girls are in, it's the number of girls I have!  They are each involved in one sport through school, go to church and two of them are working and two are in Girl Scouts.  The older ones keep their own schedule that doesn't need my assistance, aside from babysitting.  Even leading two Girl Scout troops is manageable and very worthwhile. 

If I'm honest with myself, the hectic part of the schedule comes from my choice to go back to work.  I struggle with this frequently.  I decided to go back to work for two reasons: one is obvious - additional finances for college, home improvements, etc. and the other was more selfish.  I had stayed at home for 18 years and wanted to get out and prove to myself that I could still learn a new skill.  Please understand that I know what goes into a SAHM's daily job.  I have raised/am raising four children, moved 6 times and volunteered both at schools and at church.  This was more of a personal thing for me alone.  I still wrestle with it but love both of my jobs.  If I had to choose, family would come first without hesitation.  But for now, I am learning to juggle both jobs with good days and bad days. 
Nevertheless, school is back and so far it's been a great one!  I am excited to see the growth in all of us.

Blessings,

Sara

Today is April 29th and it's been how long since I posted anything?  Ages!! I believe it was in the Fall of 2012.   My life has taken a whirlwind tour of transitioning from being a SAHM for 18 years to a full time Mom, Grandmother, Wife, Girl Scout Leader and now a Real Estate Agent.  It's a very long story that would probably put you all to sleep so I will save you the torturous tale.
Making the change to going back to work has opened my eyes to what many of you already struggle with - Balance.  It has become something just out of my reach.  The sayings of "if only there were more hours in a day" or "if only I could duplicate myself" now carry a heavier weight.  The choice to go back to work was a voluntary one so I don't feel entitled to complain, however I am looking for solutions to problems I didn't have before. One in particular:  I don't think I have cooked a dinner at home more than 10 times over the last 6 months.  Those numbers may be slightly exaggerated but not by much, and by dinner I mean dinner food, not breakfast for dinner or Stouffers.  Don't get me wrong, I do like Stouffers and it has gotten me out a pinch or two, but I mean a real home-cooked dinner. 

As much as I said I would not complain and just did so, I love wearing all of the hats I mentioned above.  I love my husband, my girls and my granddaughter and get the satisfaction of learning a new skill that helps people.  I am blessed beyond measure. 

I would love to hear what challenges you have had to face as a working parent and what solutions you have found to work.

 

In Him,


Sara

Happy Fall Y'all!  October is finally here and the temperatures are only two digits!  It's cool enough to put an extra blanket on the bed and that makes for some good sleep.  So far, we have our first gallon of apple cider, my girls have baked cake pops and are wearing their fall boots we bought this summer.  I truly love this time of year!
It is the beginning of the week and it's going to be a busy one and as I type this the girls are getting ready for school, I still need to get ready for work and I can't find the crockpot roast recipe that is amazing and that is what's for dinner tonight. 

Have a blessed day!!

In Him,

Sara

Summer is in full swing!

Happy July!  This brings some pretty serious summer heat to Texas and some pretty high electric bills that keep the house somewhat cool.  It's been a great summer so far - swimming, going on picnics in the evening when the temps are only two digits versus three, church camps and lots of planning to be more organized!  We have saved crickets from drowning, watered flowers that wilted in the Texas heat, eaten popsicles, stayed up late, slept in and had lots of sleepovers so far.  Oh and don't forget the One Direction Concert in certain triple digit heat in an outside amphitheater, yes outside!  LOTS of screaming girls! Great memories though and the fresh squeezed lemonade was right on time. 

The girls are involved in different summer camps and mission trips and it is strange when one is missing from the nest.  As we speak,we have one in Florida with a friend and shortly after she comes back, two are leaving for a local mission trip to lead Vacation Bible Schools in the inner city.  I am so proud that they are reaching beyond themselves and giving to others. 

Have a blessed and cool July - will be posting much more this month!

In Him,


Sara

Now it really has been a while since I posted anything!  The laundry fairy is officially back in town!  I have been out taking classes on becoming a Real Estate Agent.  Crazy?  Maybe, but so far I am really enjoying the classes.  It's been many (and I mean many!) years since I have done anything to educate myself outside of bible studies.  Well, I took some sign language courses at my church in Florida, and I thoroughly enjoyed that, but that's about it.  Now that the kids are getting old enough, I feel more freedom to pursue something I am interested in.   The classes have me away from home much more so I am trying to nail a schedule down so the house doesn't fall apart and nobody starves.  So far, everyone is still fed but the laundry is behind miserably.  I don't know how parents who work full time or more outside the home can do it.  I haven't planned a menu in...hmmm, I can't remember now.  Yikes! 

School is finally out here so the kiddos can relax and sleep in.  So it's time for the summer schedule of sleepovers, swimming and late night movies.   That means lots of popcorn, baking cookies at 10:00 at night, and extra feet running around.  I would much rather them hang out here than to be running around town.  So, in light of summer (and fending off the inevitable "I'm bored") we are going to have a "Craft Day" each week.  I will let the kids brainstorm on what they want to do, from making homemade play-do to learning to sew basics.  Maybe making homemade soaps or canning fruit.  Who knows?  If it means they are putting their phones down and turning the television off then I am all for it.  I will post some of their ideas and pics as we go.  As I type that, I realize I need to find the cable to my camera so I can upload pictures, but I'm not sure where it is.   Let's just put that on the to-do list for tomorrow! 

Happy Summer!


In Him,

Sara

Cardinal's song

It feels like it's been forever since I posted - I sure have missed it! Hope this finds you all well.

I had a wonderful blessing this morning that I would like to share.  I woke up and heard a cardinal outside my window beginning his morning song.  I adore cardinals and can sit and watch them for hours.  They are remarkable.  Anyway, he was as loud as my alarm and just as persistent.  I got up and fixed my coffee and went to let the dogs out and he was still singing.  Except his song had changed.  Normally he doesn't change up mid-song, but he did this time and it made me stop where I was.  The thought that overwhelmed me was that he was singing a song that God created him to sing.  Then I started thinking about how God has created us to praise him, just like the cardinal.  Was the bird praising his Creator? 

Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD"

How can we praise him?  Through song, actions, prayer, serving, our lifestyles, even tears.  We all have ways that are special to us when we feel connected to God.  The important thing is that we are sincere in our hearts and thank him for who he is in our lives and how he has changed our lives.  I personally find that connection through song and most Sunday's I don't make it through the worship portion without tears running down my face.  My kids can attest to that - they ask me if I'm okay and I just smile and say yes.  I really should carry mascara with me or wear waterproof. 

All of this came from a Cardinal's song?  Yes, it did and I will look forward to listening to him when he praises again.

Have a blessed day,                                 

In Him,

Sara

I can feel summer coming!

It's been a busy weekend and Monday is surely here - Laundry Time!  The washer is up and running and the dryer is still going strong.  School is almost out here and I can feel the pull of summer heading this way.  I am seriously looking forward to it!  I love having the kids home from school and being able to ditch the clock occasionally.  Yesterday was a wonderful glimpse of summer - the girls went swimming for the first time this year, we cooked out steaks, grilled corn on the cob, and had a delicious dinner (I will post a new potato salad recipe on the recipe page - yummy!) and had a cup of coffee on the porch with my hubby.  I try not to take these kinds of moments for granted and just savor them.  When I think of summer I think HOT (we are in Texas after all).  Lots of swimming, cooking out, gardening, and creating fun new drinks for the kids to keep them cool.

  Trying new recipes that are fresh and light for summer and evenings outside in the breeze on the hammock.  Every year I try and get my two youngest to go to the library to check out some fun books for the summer. I would love to have them read at least one book a month, not too much to ask, right?  It hasn't caught on yet, but I am hopeful this year.  I am not trying to infringe on summer, but I do know that if they read even a little, it can keep their minds working in between school years.  I remember reading a lot during the summers, especially since we didn't watch much television and home computers weren't even out yet, much less smart phones.  I played outside most of the day and read during the boring times.  Now it seems like it's all sleepovers, movies, and constant motion is the norm.  I think I will try and come up with some fun summer activities for the girls and their friends to do.  I am open to suggestions too if you have one. 

Feel free to post a comment with any ideas that are electronic free! 

Have a beautiful and blessed week!


In Him,


Sara