Story by Sydney

Sydney wanted to write a story.  I wrote as she dictated.  Pardon the poor punctuation.  I didn't want to detract from her point.

Once upon a time there was a castle with a prince and princess. They had a crown on and the princess had a ring on. One time, they had windows on their castle and then they had a baby.  The baby was a girl, she had long eyelashes and wore lovely lipstick.  The baby was hungry and she was thirsty too.  After she ate and drinked she went to sleep.  They she waked up.  She ate ballerina cereal when she waked up again.  Then she drinked when the mom was coming up to give her a babba.  And she was holding it.  The mom was holding it for her.  They had a flag on their castle.  Up on the top of their roof.  And the princess had a sparkle thing on her crown too.  And sparkly things on her shoes too. The prince had a circle magical thing on his crown too.  And he had little circle things on his shoes too. 
          -Sydney Martin Age 4

What am I doing?

I thought it was my dream to be home with my kids.  I believe that it is.  The problem is that I'm stuck.  I love it but I hate it.  What I thought would be, isn't always.  I had a needy 4 year old, a screaming baby, and a dog pooping in the house at the same time.  I had tried to take a shower and was literally doing everything I could to get dressed at that time as well.  I'm home a lot.  Most of the time with no car and no money.  I feel like I get upset over things I shouldn't and for the most part, I don't really know what to do all day.  I miss what my life used to be.  I don't really know what that was except I miss having money.  I miss being able to do things.  I know it's wrong and I know this is a season and it will pass but man, it sucks.  I know I need to be content but man it's tough.  I know that so many would love to be in my position but man...it's tough.  Most of the time I wonder how the bills will be paid and how I could possibly survive another day.  I know what it's about, it's about faith.  Not only faith though, it's about being content.  Being content with what I have.  God will give me the life he wants for me.  I just have to wait on that and man is it hard.

Evening at the park

Since we are in the midst of one of Will's crazy week on week off work weeks, I decided I would take the girls to the park.  We have a pretty nice park near our house that is family friendly (as long as you go during daylight hours of course=)  We got there at about 5pm and stayed until 7pm.  Sydney had me laughing so hard several times.  She runs up to the first little girl she sees and introduces herself.  The girl "Ashley" and Syd became instant best friends.  They played and chased each other like crazy.  They had so much fun.  Then the little girl's mother calls her over and says it's time to go.  The girl was refusing to follow her mother's instructions.  Sydney, kept trying to get the girl to go to her mom.  She kept waving her along saying "come on, com on you need to obey your mom, she is calling you."  The girl refused.  Sydney finally gave up, went  to the girls mother and said, "She won't obey you."  That kid is hysterical.  I wish she would show that kind of discipline when it comes to obeying me!  The park trip came during Gabby's wind down time, that's why there

My view today...

Since leaving my full time job its been very tough for us financially.  There are many days when I have no idea how the bills will be paid.  I never had a lot of faith before. I can say that over these past few months my faith is growing in ways I never expected.  During the month of December some things happened and I had no idea how we were going to afford Christmas gifts.  I prayed and then went to the mail.  Not sure if it was that day, or a few days later.  At any rate, I found a check for $300 that we had not been expecting.  Christmas...Done.  When I first left my job i wasn't expecting to be paid for the month of vacation time I'd accumulated.  I picked up my final paycheck....vacation...paid for all 24 days.  I cashed out a profit sharing plan that I had while working.  Several months later, boom...received a notice of yet another profit sharing plan that could be cashed.  

Most recently, my husband and I were both offered positions at a small private school in our area.  We don't make a ton, but the money comes at a time during the month when we would otherwise be very short.  The job is 3 days a week, Sydney goes to pre-k there, and we are able to take Gabriella so childcare isn't an issue.  So my view today is this...a classroom in a tiny little school that symbolizes one of many blessings on our family. 

It's a bright...bright....sunshiney day!

Today was a day that I really needed.  I'm not gonna lie.  The bad weather and the financial struggle have made for a gloomy outlook for this newly promoted SAHM.  The weather this year has been less than stellar and we have had no real snow up until this point!  BLAH.  Today though, Today changed my outlook.  It was sunny and nice.  Willy went fishing so i packed the kids up and took them for a walk.  We had a cheap lunch then found some REALLY cheap steals for Gabriella at the thrift store.  Sydney spent a dollar on some jelly beans at the candy store.  She wanted to sit and enjoy them in the sun.  For some time, we sat on a bench outside and she nibbled on her treat.  I started to get annoyed and then I realized, this is a moment to treasure.  Pretty soon she is going to be 15 and she may want nothing to do with me.  I'm going to soak this time up.

It's days like this that remind me how I am always taken care of.  We have never gone without or been forgotten about.  That, is something I'm eternally grateful for.  I know there are great things in store for our family and I have to remind myself sometimes how great they are going to be.

Here are my girls out and about today...

"Mom, don't take my picture."

They love each other. 

Almost 8 Months....

Oh Gabriella, you are almost 8 months old and you are the sweetest girl.  During the day you laugh and chat all the time.  You love your family but you REALLY love your sister.  You aren't a big fan of sleeping.  You were doing so good sleeping in our room but that has changed since you moved into a room with Sydney.  You tend to spend more time screaming then sleeping these days=)  You stay with me most of the time which is so fun.  The problem is that when we try to leave you anywhere there is more screaming.  At this point, I just remind myself that you are only little for a short time and before I know it you will be a teenager and want nothing to do with me!  Here is a quick picture of you this morning while you were hanging out on the floor.

Bowling!

Today was a big day...we went out to breakfast and bowling while we waited for our carpet to dry after a long overdue cleaning.  Syd loves to bowl!  Just loves it...  When I tried to take her picture, she refused.  So I sent Daddy in for a tickle!
                                                             

Before

 After

 And Just because....Gabriella was a little shocked over the flash.  

These days of Will working crazy hours are hard.  On his weeks off it sure is fun to be able to enjoy our family.