I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

Friday, April 17, 2009

I truly love my life!

My kids left Sunday afternoon both going in different directions. Abbie went to the Keys with the Moses clan (lucky thing) and Trever went to my parents for the week. My kids are having such a wonderful time, but oh how I miss those little feet running on my wood floor. Jeff misses them so much that he just doesn't really know what to do with himself. We thought we would spend some great time together just the two of us , but the opportunity opened up for me to work fulltime hours this week so I have been working since Monday night and I haven't seen Jeff since Sunday. I crave the very sight of my family and my friends. I've not seen my closest friends or their kids either. I've not had my daily conversations with my mom and sister like normal and I feel like I'm on a whole other planet. I've always been thankful for my simple schedule and this week I've just been reminded at how blessed I am to be able to work very few hours. If I had to work this job full-time I would never see my family. I'm not saying working full-time is wrong so as you read please do not feel that way. If I worked the career path I chose full-time my schedule would literally be work and sleep nothing in between. So many people at work have asked me hundreds of times why I give up the money. They like to remind me that I could be affording cruises and fancy vacations and expensive clothes and shoes. Well, all I can say is that there is no pair of shoes (and we all know how much I love shoes!!!!!!!!!!!) that can be worth giving up my relationship with my kids and husband. We may not take fancy vacations and I may never walk in some high-end shoe or clothing store, but one thing I do know is that I will have lots of memories of my children's laughs and I will know what it feels like to sleep next to the man I love. That makes a "budgeted" life worth it for me.

So, thank you Jesus for:

1. My husband who values family and relationship as much as I do!

2. The opportunity to hear pitter-patter of little feet when I wake in the mornings

3. Trusting that Jeff and I could love and nurture your beautiful gifts, Abbie and Trever

4. The daily bread that you give because somehow it's always enough

5. The friends who feel like my sisters and their kids who feel like my own

6. Parents who crave my children's presence and find joy in them

7. The job my husband has that provides for us so that I can stay home and teach our children

8. T-mobiles favorite five so that I can call MY mommy, daddy, and sister everyday for free. Even though they are 4 hours away I can still hear their voice!

9. Loving me and giving your life for me

10. My life. I TRULY LOVE IT!!!!

6 comments:

Jill said...

yep...so glad you had this week...sorry you missed those kiddos, I did too, and have thought of them often and prayed for that little Abbie Rae... I had one of those moments when I pondered the girls photos walking down the hallway the other night...oh those days are gone, how fleeting, when are those little bald chunks of love?

Glad you call you a friend.

Leslie said...

It is nice to be able to stay home, I'm sure. I am pondering that idea for myself right now.
I feel the way you feel when I am at work during the day. I always pick up my kids as soon as possible and can never understand those people who get off of work at 3:00 and leave their kids in daycare until 6:00. It's just not for me.
I hope that you have a wonderful reunion when they return!

Jeanne said...

Isn't it nice to get to miss them. It always seems to put things back into perspective. Sometimes we can get lost in the day to day. Pitter patter of little feet....I do love that sound. It is fleeting, Jill's right. It's definitely a bitter sweet. Enjoy your gifts when they get back home :)

Rachael said...

Amen! Thanks for sharing Jen. What a blessing by the Lord to be able to stay at home and watch our children grow, time passes to quickly and the children grow too fast. Thank you Lord for this timw you have given us!

I will see you at dance next week!

Christy said...

I completely agree with everything you wrote! I work part time now and I really cant imagine going back full time any time soon even though my kids are older. Enjoy them when they get home!

The Cannon Chronicles said...

This time in our life will be like a blur in a few years. Being able to stay home with them and savor every moment of their lives is so special. You'll get those fancy shoes one day, maybe not a closet full but a pair here and there to make you feel special!