A Lifetime of Love

I talked TJ into going through the kids' toys and selling some of them. We just have way too much stuff, and in the past I've donated the toys to the Crisis Pregnancy Center. I am going to try sell them at a consignment sale and use the money to buy the kids some clothes. Whatever doesn't sell, I'll then donate. I am looking forward to going through the toys; I just need to find time to do so. School begins again in 2 weeks. I am excited, but also stressed at the same time. My time is limited as it is, and school only adds to it. In addition to taking classes, I am leading a Bible study for some friends of mine. This will be my second time leading a Bible study, and I love to do it. I love sharing with others the many ways the Lord has blessed me, convicted me, and taught me. We are doing a study on stress, so it will be beneficial to me, as well. We begin next week, and meet 10 times over the next couple of months. God has been dealing with me the past couple of ...

I've been doing better with the kids the past couple of days. I visited a friend of mine yesterday morning who has 4 children and is pregnant with her fifth. Her kids are all less than 2 years apart, and I always receive a blessing when I spend time with her. She is very laid-back and easy-going; not at all like me! Her philosophy is pretty much let them be kids unless they're hurting themselves or someone else. Who cares about the mess they make, which is where I struggle with my kids. I am such a neat-freak that to see a mess in my house stresses me out. I can feel my blood pressure rise when I see the toys and chaos. I am trying to teach my children to put away their toys when they want to play with something else, and my friend just has them clean up at the end of the day. After spending time with her, I remember not to make a big deal about the small things, so it makes parenting a little easier because I'm not constantly griping at my children. I guess I just ...

Thanks to Carole who instructed me on how to do it, I am adding my posts from my old blog over to this one. Click on "Older Posts" to read about the past few months. I am adding a few at a time, so please be patient. Blessings, T

Th has officially retired his label of "preschooler" and traded it in for the title of "youth". To him, TJ and I are no longer Daddy and Mommy, but rather, Dad and Mom. As the realization of that sunk in yesterday, I became teary-eyed. I know I can't be Mommy forever, but I miss hearing him call me that. I don't think I ever recorded him calling us Mommy and Daddy, which means I am making it a point to record Ta and T.G. talking. In some ways, I hate that my children are getting older, but at the same time, I am really struggling with their current ages. As I was dropping off T.G. in the nursery at church last night, I began crying when Gretchen (the pastor's wife) asked about feeding instructions for T.G. I know, that question probably made all of you cry, too! Seriously, I started crying as the frustrations of the day came pouring out. Let me back up. Earlier, I was trying to prepare dinner, feed T.G. , and keep the boys from killing each other. I di...

Or so the saying goes. Lately, though, I'm not so sure. I just haven't been feeling myself lately. Very overwhelmed by my kids, especially the boys. I think part of it is TJ's working longer hours, which means I'm home longer with them. But, on top of that, I feel very alone and isolated. TJ and I don't get many opportunities to really "talk", and if it's important, I usually email him. I feel very disconnected, and that's not good. Plus, I hate to bother him with the details of my day at home, especially because his work environment is stressful on him. I know I add to his stress, and I'm trying to stop. In the past, when I've felt bummed out, I would call my mom. But lately, I feel very disconnected from her, too. I'm not sure what's going on with everyone. Maybe it's just me, but I just don't feel like I have anyone who is willing to just sit and listen. I have several close friends, and I know they can relate to how I am...

I did it! I survived a trip to the beach with the in-laws. It was nice, just the usual frustrations of everyone wanting to do different things at different times. Along with going to the beach, we went to the NASCAR Cafe and Speedpark, and all of the boys enjoyed that (TJ included!) Th drove his first real car, and it was hilarious. I so wish my video camera wasn't full or else I would have recorded that momentous event. He drove like an old man, gunning the gas then slowly releasing it to drive really slow! It was quite humorous. Another kid crashed into him and ended up pushing him with his car to go faster. It was a fun time for the kids despite the heat and humidity. We had a family picnic with the in-laws yesterday. It was okay- extremely humid. Poor TJ had to chase the boys around because where the shelter is, there really isn't much for the kids to do. We had an egg toss, and TJ and I came nowhere close to winning. However, I think we tossed it the longest because we tos...

I am moving to Blogspot because I can more easily control who reads my blog. I am not too sure how to transfer my old posts over to here, so for now, bear with me. If you'd like to read my old blog, visit www.southcarolinamom.spaces.live.com . Permission is restricted, so please click the link to request access. Thanks!