So, we were without internet for a while. Not really a necessity at the moment, but now we have it back, and I hope to get back to blogging & reading other people’s blogs.
Lots of new things going on with Leslie! She’s 5 months old now, so a lot has changed. It is a challenge to juggle being a wife, mommy, business owner, full time job, etc. especially when I want to have a relationship with God. A meaningful relationship. I’ve been thinking lately, if I just cut back on something maybe I can manage it easier. Sleep maybe?… Not that I have much time tied up in that. I don’t know, but maybe God can cut the things out that need to be cut out.
About Leslie… She’s rolling over, talking , developing a personality. She’s just great! Her hair is growing, and that makes me happy. Right now we are dealing with an ear infection & cold. That’s kind of tough but I know we will get through it.
So, that’s all for right now. Hopefully I can keep up with this blog better.
I havn’t blogged in a looong time. I know. Blogging hasn’t exactly been at the top of my priority list lately. Things that have been include: Will, Leslie, Work, & Housework. It’s never ending, I know. Everyone else has to do it too, I know, so don’t tell me you do it too. 
I’m just saying why I havn’t blogged.
Leslie is 2 months old today. Whoo-Hoo! My little pooters is growing so fast. I cherish every moment I get to spend with her & her daddy. The 3 of us were in our bed last night for a few minutes & it was so much fun. She’s at the point now that when we walk by or lay beside her, she turns her face to look at us. It’s so rewarding to see her perfect smile!
Thanksgiving was something this year. And I mean this in a good way. If you know me personally, you know I’m not really close to my family, with the exception of my sister, and that bothers me. I havn’t seen my mom since election day, and I havn’t seen my dad since before then. My brother and I were joined at the hip when I was growing up, & I don’t really see him much now either…. So… My sister & I decided to have Thanksgiving at my house this year. She has a great husband & 4 beautiful children. We invited my brother, who came as soon as we came home from Will’s grandparents. He and Will got to spend some time together, which meant SO MUCH to me. Allen needs to be around some encouragement! My mom & dad surprised us and stopped by for a few minutes as well. Will’s little brother & his Granny came also to join in on eating some fried turkey. Granny was very entertained by my sisters kids who were going through the Walmart sale paper to circle what they wanted from Santa. My neice, Savannah, will be 2 in January & she was entertaining as well. I guess the point I am getting at is that Thanksgiving was GREAT. And I realize I have a lot to be thankful for:
God & his unconditional love
Will
Leslie
My family
Will’s family, which I am a part of now
Our health
Our home
There’s people in this world who are struggling financially, mentally, physically. Someone close to me only sees his children 4 days out of the month. Another close friend of mine lost her daughter to cancer. We know people losing jobs, behind on bills, etc. We’re even going through some things right now, but so minor compared to some people. We are so thankful. …. So I guess I made up for not blogging lately. 
Yeh. I’m ready for Christmas. I know it’s weird considering Thanksgiving is my favorite. I’m mostly ready to see how Leslie reacts to the Christmas tree. Also, Will came up with a neat idea that I am excited about. Money is tight right now, & that’s no big secret because it seems to be that way for EVERYONE I talk to. However, Will came up with an awesome idea. Here it is: If we have a little money to spare around the holidays, instead of buying gifts for each other, pick a family to buy a couple of gifts for. It won’t be much, I already know this, but I think the idea is just great. I have a warm home, food to eat, water to drink & bathe in… And a great husband and daughter. Who are both healthy might I add. I don’t need anything for Christmas.
Getting ready!
I don’t really know what exactly is going on with me lately. Pregnancy hormones still? I’m not really sure, but whatever it is it sucks. I find myself spending all my time worrying about everything. I know what the Bible says about worry, but believing in my heart that everything will be ok is tough for me. I just need to trust that God will guide me.
Matthew 6:25-34
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Yeh, I don’t really look forward to it because I don’t like leaving Leslie. It’s something I have to do though! Today I’m wishing I could clone myself to get everything done that I would like to in one day. Another picture for everyone to enjoy.
Sweeeeet
I had so much fun goofing off and taking pictures with Will & Leslie last night.
Today has been pretty good! It’s definetely been a beautiful fall day… The leaves are beautiful. It’s my favorite season… Had my 6 week checkup today. Fun fun. If you’ve had a baby then you know what this is all about. It’s so hard to believe my little princess is 6 weeks old today. There were a couple other babies at the dr’s office & they seemed so small compared to Leslie. She’s so long! She’s already wearing 3 month size clothes. Who would’ve thought Leslie would be so long with a short Mommy. Take a look at how beautiful she is!
BEAUTIFUL!
Havn’t really been on here lately. Things really have changed since I’ve gone back to work. Thank God that business has picked up! It’s so hard leaving Leslie somewhere else still. Sometimes I wonder if she even knows because she just sleeps over there. I really do miss her & Will throughout the day! If only we could win the lottery…
This is what the Lord has put on my heart lately. This is who I want to be.
Proverbs 31
10An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
14She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
15She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
18She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
20She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29“Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.
So, when I blog lately I am in a hurry. Work went well today. Made some $$ which is always good. Totally skipped out on lunch. Took my 30 minute break but just held my daughter instead of eating. It was so nice. The sweet lady that’s keeping Leslie is having a blast with her, & I am so happy about that. There is a small part of me that is jealous though! lol. But really, I am. Leslie wore socks on her hands today and it was too cute. Now she’s smiling at her Daddy so that’s all the blogging for now. Going to spend some time with my family!!
Today was my first day back at work since I had Leslie. It was really hard for me! I guess that is to be expected, though. I carried her around in my belly for 9 months and was able to spend 4 wonderful weeks with her.
I used to want to stay at home for really selfish reasons… I just didn’t want to work basically. I was talking to Will the other day about this and he reminded me that I didn’t so much want to be a stay at home mom, but I wanted to be a stay at home wife. How selfish of me. Now, I have my little Leslie & that is a good reason to want to stay at home! She’s so much more than I thought she would be. I don’t really know how to explain that, but there is something new everyday with her.
Now I know how Will felt on his first day back at work!!!
I figured since everyone else was doing it, I’d do it too…
So, today is my 3rd day home by myself with Leslie. (Or “Pooters” as she is mostly called) Tuesday was Will’s first day back at work & my first day alone with her. It was a little tough. I was very emotional about this new little life God has given us to take care of. She is so precious. Anyway, today was a little harder than I thought it would be. Planned on making a “quick” trip to town to pick up a few things we needed along with a friend to help me. I can’t belive I was nervous about taking her out alone, but I was. I woke up at a decent time, got her fed and ready, and started getting ready myself. Or so I thought I would. This ended up being about 3 hours of just taking care of her instead. I knew it was bad when I started crying along with her, but we made it & all was well. Turns out she was just a little fussy (& poopie). I guess in the heat of the moment I can make things seem a little worse, but really this was the first time (besides in the hospital) that I felt helpless! When this little girl cries, there’s only so many things that I know could be wrong.
I can’t complain, though. Not at all. She’s healthy & she’s ours. She sleeps through most of the night already, and is usually a lot of fun when she’s awake.
That’s all for today… Off to feed Leslie!
It’s official. Leslie is spoiled. I’ve held her most of the day. Unfortunately when this happens, the day goes by so fast. She’s been a little fussy but not bad at all, gassy of course. At least she has figured out the difference between her days and nights. Being a mom is awesome. The time I get to spend with Leslie is a gift from God. The house is a mess, but it doesn’t really matter right now….
I guess I have turned into one of those people who has a blog & doesn’t keep up with it already. However, I’m just learning how to adjust to life with a daughter. Juggling is the title of this post because that is what I feel like I am beginning to do & what I will be doing as a mother, wife, & business owner.
The reality that I may not be able to spend as much time at home with Leslie hit me last night as I reviewed the checkbook. We knew this would be likely & comes with the territory of being self employeed. (business owner or not) I had this belief a few years ago that I did want to be a stay at home mom & I did not want to work - I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, I love my job. I absolutely love what I do & couldn’t see myself doing anything else. Now, I have a daughter I am becoming very attached to and do not want to leave! Not because I want to be a stay at home mom. I don’t want to be a stay at home mom. However, I want to spend as much time as possible with Leslie! (I’m very selfish)
Not only is this going on, but in being home by ourselves I find myself missing my husband more and more. Will, who for the past 9 months I was somewhat distant from, is now someone I just cannot get enough of… He’s been a wonderful husband to me & also a wonderful daddy to Leslie. He’s above & beyond what I could’ve ever asked for – He’s my best friend.
But speaking of juggling things, it’s past time to cook supper for my hubby & Leslie just decided she was hungry earier than I thought she would….
Today hasn’t been bad at all. Leslie has been really good. Today I’ve worked on not holding her as much. I know, I know, how mean, right? I don’t just put her down somewhere and walk away! She got to sit in her bouncy seat on the counter so I could at least wash bottles and get supper started. She seemed to enjoy it. So much that she went to sleep. And the daily routine also is the bouncy seat in the bathroom while mommy showers. She usually wakes up for that, I guess because I enjoy it.
So, being a mommy is fun so far. Next to being a wife it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m hoping it’s always this great & she and I will continue to develop a great mother-daughter relationship.
That’s all for now.
Today I’ve thought about this: “What have I done today to show Christ’s love to someone?” I claim to be a follower of Him, but what have I done to prove that? What have I done to make someone else want a relationship with Him? What have I done for my relationship with Him?
With the birth of Leslie & adjusting to life with her & trying to “catch up” I seem to have put Him on the back burner. I was talking with Will on Wednesday night & I admitted to being slack on reading the Word. I’m ashamed to say this, but I havn’t even known where my Bible was until today, after I went grocery shopping. It was in the back of my car. What good was it doing me in there? I am so ashamed.
There’s been a couple of circumstances in my life where I should be demonstrating a Christ-like attitude, & I haven’t totally done that. I say totally because towards those people I havn’t shown how upset or jealous I am, I’ve been “nice” about it. But on the inside I’ve let my feelings get hurt & I’ve let jealousy sneak in.
I guess my thoughts bounce around a lot, but I believe the bottom line is this: If I work on my relationship with Christ, stay in the Word, & learn from Him, He will work out the issues in my heart.
I never knew how much time is involved in being a mom. I know, I’ll always be a mom, but to do the “mom thing”… It really is a full time job. The only thing I do for myself during the day is shower, eat, & blog. The rest of the time is all about her! I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, though. It does make me wonder how some people do it with more than one. Jon & Kate. My sister, with her 4 kids & *spotless* house. For the past 3 months it has looked like a baby shower threw up in my house. Naturally I am bothered by this. If you know my mom or sister, then you know why. I’ve even been embarassed for company to come over & see what this place looks like. But I do realize that she won’t be an infant forever & I better enjoy this time with her. The dishes can wait. 
Leslie definetely doesn’t know the difference. I was bragging to someone who’s daughter was born about a week before ours that Leslie has finally figured it out. Only to have her up and down a lot last night. How ironic. So now it’s almost 3:30 & I’m going to try my best to keep her up for a little while. It’s going to be SO hard to go back to work.
Oh yeah, Sunday was my first day back playing on the worship team. It was good. I definetely could’ve used some practice before then. It was good for me to worship the best way that I know how.
It’s been a year ago since I lost my son who I was 18 weeks pregnant with. I hate to sound depressing, but I will never forget this! He was a part of me, but just not with me very long. It’s hard to lose a baby this way – You feel like you somewhat know them, even though you havn’t seen them. You feel the effects of the baby, and sometimes this early you even feel the baby move. I felt him move a couple of times. So it’s hard to not have somewhat of a bond. He had some serious heath problems from the beginning, and that is unfortunate. This problem grew, and if he would’ve lived he probably wouldn’t have lived a long or enjoyable life. Because of that, I am glad he is in heaven with Jesus. Have you ever seen a picture of Jesus with the children? I think of that when I think of him.
We decided to name our daughter Leslie Renee. Leslie means “Joy” – Renee means “Reborn”. She is definetely my Joy Reborn. God had blessed us greatly. A year ago I was dealing with the hardest thing I have ever delt with. There was a void, because there was life inside me and then it was gone…. This morning, my daughter slept on my chest.
Praise God for his blessings, His healing, and an eternity with Him.
I got some sleep last night! Whoo hoo! My sister said “Don’t speak so soon…” but… I will anyway. Leslie slept through the night. I may regret even saying that. But she did!
It’s so much fun getting up and feeding her while my husband is waking up. We get a little bit of “family time”, and that is great.
Well, I’m done bragging. You will know if she does this again tonight, or if I truly regret posting this blog.
Leslie has been so fussy all day. As a matter of fact, it’s 5 pm and she has just calmed down. I still don’t know what exactly was wrong with her. Maybe she just wanted to be held, and hey, that’s ok. That’s ok because the baby books say she can’t be spoiled now. Plus, I’m back to work in a couple of days so I’ve really been cherishing the days I have with her on maternity leave.
I was reminded today how blessed I am to have a healthy normal baby. I encourage everyone to watch this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkq0
*sigh* It’s my last day on maternity leave. I know I’ll have plenty of time to spend with my little Leslie, but this still makes me sad. I’m booked up tomorrow (I believe) so hopefully the day will go by fast… Until I get her again & get to see my wonderful husband. It’d be so cool if someone left us a lot of money & we could just stay home with her! Stay at home mom and dad.
Anyway - It looked like today was going to be like yesterday until I figured out that I just have to lay Leslie down in our room & let her listen to the christian xm station while she sleeps. Apparently she makes sounds in her sleep too, and I guess when I would put her down in the living room & she’d make a sound I was too quick to see what she was doing. Today I’ve tried to “wait it out” when she’d make a little sound because I’m trying to prepare for tomorrow. I’d wait a few minutes and then peek at her & she was perfectly fine. Did I mention Leslie is beautiful? She is!
I’m making a drastic decision in having my hair done today. Hopefully Leslie will recognize me. (Will has assured me that she will )
O yeh, I have a twitter now too.
