Yikes, the blogger format changed! Guess I should write more if I want to be in-the-loop! Life seems to be steadying up a bit for us. As the waves of the storm seem to be lessening, it becomes easier to get through weeks without feeling like I'm at the end of my rope. Time goes by quicker, smoother, and I notice myself sad over the loss of my kids being little and wanting to savor each moment more. It really is as if we chugged up the roller coaster and the downhill ride is but a moment in time. One of the biggest things I've reflected upon lately is that the answer to our problems, we "know" is best is not always so. I have been working with an Event & Wedding company for 7 months and I was sure me returning to work would not only stunt our children, but would involve me kicking and screaming every time I had to work. I actually like my job, enjoy the differences and youth that I primarily work with and have learned so much about myself and being a leader in the past months! It has challenged me in ways being at home never could. My employer has increased my pay twice and promoted me to Wedding & Event Coordinator, something, I never imagined I'd be. I primarily work at high-end corporate, political & private home events and have met many leaders in our community. My sphere of influence is greatly larger and I'm sure it was God's plan all-along, despite my whining, complaining & refusal. It was a process for me and fear of the unknown definitely held me still. Change is scary, it has it's bumps and bruises, for sure. I'm content in my life and frankly, too busy to fixate in the area's that still frustrate me. Being a Mom to a teenager has also brought a share of change. It is not easier as they get older! It takes more investigating, more diligence and a calmer spirit than I currently have. My 13 year old is an amazing "button pusher." He must score in the brilliance level in this area & quite high in attitude also! We're so proud! Combating this attitude is a skill I've yet to figure out, I continue to let it rile me up and, man does it happen fast. If boys are easier as teenagers, I don't know how I'll manage Grace! I know that time and failure will teach me and I've handed over much parenting to Brian. The Dad's touch seems to work better. Something about my emotions and those of a teenage, hormone raging teen-age boy, seem to create a reaction of scientific proportion. (He's probably way too much like me!) I feel like I've conquered a dragon of epic per-portion over the past years and I hope that the next few give me pause and stability....just sayin'...but not really expectin' it to be so!