Parenthood Adventures: JOY

Hey Everyone,

We live in a dark dark world, right? Or so it seems? I also see a lot of joy. I see a lot of beauty in the ashes. It is really hard for me to watch the news. In fact, I don't. I do read a little email called The Skimm every day that kind of gives me a recap of what is going on. I hate that I can't turn on the tv to anything besides PBS. We were in Wal-Mart today and Ruby was on this motorcycle ride thing just for fun and I noticed the character was a female who was only wearing a sports bra type thing and her boobs were huge. At that point I pulled Ruby off. The ride said that it was fit for all ages. I hate that this is the world my girls are growing up in. It makes Ben and I"s job just the more important of teaching them about the Lord and that HE is good all of the time. This world is not. But, we can cling onto the hope of Jesus. And that is praise worthy. I thank God that this is only our temporary home. Hey...that reminds me...Carrie Underwood sang a song called Temporary Home. It's a great one. Ok, end of my little rant. Please know that I love ALL people and am praying for this world on a daily basis. If there is ever a time you need a specific prayer. Please reach out. I love you.

On another note. I have truly been enjoying my girls. There was a time a few months ago where I was just stressed out. It seemed like Ruby was just crabby a lot and that Stella was starting to climb all the things and they weren't getting along the best. I was trying to run a business and nobody was getting the best me. I stopped my business because I knew I needed to focus on my family more. Oh yeah, we also listed our house on the market! Nothing has happened yet, and I'm pretty sure I found the house I want in Buffalo. Unfortunately we can't do anything until our house sells. So, if you know of anyone who is looking...let me know! Anyway, things have kind of slowed down, and I'm truly enjoying my girls. Do we still have hard days...absolutely. I have been much more relaxed though and I feel like God has helped me with peaceful parenting. I joined the gym in Buffalo. I was just telling Ben today that it is the best thing that has happened. I'm able to take the girls to the childcare area at the gym and go do my workout. I even am able to shower afterwards. It is AMAZING! I get a little break from the girls. They get some social interaction without me there. It really is a win win. It has been an absolute Godsend.

Ruby is talking up a storm, singing songs, and making us laugh constantly. She loves her sister, but can be pretty rough with her at times. We are working on that. She was introduced to the movie Frozen and LOVES it. I think there is some kind of drug that comes from that movie. I think she watched it every.single.day. for a week. I taught Kindergarten when this movie came out, so you can see why I waited 2.5 years to introduce it to Ruby. :) Ruby is fully potty trained...thanks to her. We tried over Christmas last year and she was not having it. I let it be completely up to her and it made it SO easy. She sleeps in a toddler bed. To be honest, she has been needing one of us to lay down with her at night and during naps until she fell asleep. Tonight we put the ka bosh to that. She got out of her bed three times. Once to go potty and then on the third time I just told her as she was whimpering that I would be just outside and she said ok and stuck that little thumb in her mouth. She is such a sweet girl! I told her tonight that I pray for her to always be kind and compassionate.

Stella is seriously so sweet! She is chill, she goes with the flow and hardly fusses. She can hold her ground when it comes to Ruby and she is getting into all the things just like Ruby did. Maybe even more so. Stella is just about 18 months. Holy smokes. It's crazy how fast that has gone. She has hair that starts in the back of her head and comes straight forward. I don't want to cut her hair, so the only solutions right now is a pony on the top of her head. It is pretty cute actually. She is a peanut and is still mostly in 12-18 month clothes. She loves following Ruby around and doing what she is doing, but also loves just reading books. She will eat pretty much anything. Except roasted broccoli. That is not her jam. She sleeps really well at night. She takes a paci. I usually put about 4 in her crib so she can always find one. haha. She only really has a paci at night time and nap time. She is taking one nap, which is REALLY nice because both her and Ruby take naps at the same time! Stella is SO much fun. Her personality shows more and more each day and we love it!

Ben has been enjoying school for the most part. He of course has hard days. He works with a different group of kids who have really hard home lives and just deal with a lot on a day to day basis. Ben LOVES those kids and I can see his heart and passion for them as individuals, but trying to teach them can be difficult. He was telling me today that there are a couple of students that he doesn't get along with and that the only thing they connect with on is G2 Pens. People who know G2 Pens will get this. haha. He said we might not always like each other, but when we get to talking about our love of G2 pens...all is well. Ha, I love that he tries to find little things like pens to connect with his students. He is also the most amazing Dad. The girls adore him. Everything at home is just better when he is here. Ruby asked to go work on one of the cars with Ben and his eyes just lit up and I asked him if he was in heaven and he had the biggest smile on his face. Ben has been going to a mens small group on Thursday nights and they have been talking about the importance of a father figure in the home. He is doing such a great job at being present, loving the girls and me, and just being AWESOME! I don't know what I would do without him.

I have started MOPS again. We had our kickoff last Tuesday. It's so nice having a place for other moms to come. We drop our kids off with amazing childcare volunteers. We eat a (hot) breakfast and we just get to be in community with other moms. It's such a blessing. I also am involved in a new ministry called Propel at our church. I'm super excited for that. It is one Thursday a month. I've been going to the gym like I mentioned before and have just been finding my groove as Ben is back at school and navigating motherhood. The funny thing about motherhood is that it always changes. It is never the same and no kid is ever the same. Anyway, that is all for us. If you think of it, please pray for our house to sell! There is a house that I would love in Buffalo! :) With that said, I do know that God's timing is the best timing, so just being patient! :)

Thanks for reading!