Rambling

About Me
I'm still enjoying my time as a stay-at-home mommy. I realize it is a true blessing that I am available to tend to the kids, do projects with them, cook, clean, take trips, make appointments, etc., on my on schedule.

Our time in Houston is half over. And we aren't sure where we are headed next. While I am certainly enjoying what I frequently have been calling "an extended vacation" (because I feel like we are only here temporarily), I would like to start planning for the future! I've grown in the area of patience and faith, I'll tell you that.

Though I was tempted with the idea -- and still may revisit it in the future -- of homeschooling Abby, I've been seeing that she and I don't mesh well when it comes to instruction. I was trying to teach her how to write something, and she yelled, "You aren't my teacher! Ms. Punch is!" Well, OK then.

I'm thinking I need to update my resume, not that I intend to hand it out anytime soon. I'm just afraid if I don't do it now, I will forget everything I did at my previous job. Not sure what the future holds in the job arena for me. Like I said, being at home is great. I've been wanting to write a book. Seriously.

About Chip
Chip is working his tail off! In Buffalo, Chip would be on call every other night, meaning he was only home every other night. Here, Chip takes home call, which means he is home every night. I LOVE that, although it means he works really long days... June can't come fast enough!

Chip has done lots of good cases while being here. I was shocked to find that people come from all over (both from within the U.S. and all over the world) for treatment.

He's been on several job interviews, and has one coming up in Greenville, SC. We are both in agreement that the right job is out there.

Although he has little to no free time, we do enjoy exploring the city and the plethora of restaurants on our weekly date nights.

He misses being around the kids, but he tells me often he appreciates all I do for the family.

About Abigail
Ab is thriving in kindergarten. She is still a mess (in terms of giving her mama grief about all sorts of things). Oh, and she is in love. Yeah. Her first crush. It's on a boy in her class. She likes him because he is nice and smart and reads things to her.

She is still enjoying gymnastics, and really enjoys going to AWANA, where she has earned a badge and a few jewels already (for memorizing Bible verses). I've signed her up for a cheerleading clinic in February -- we shall see how that goes.

My baby girl will be six in March. We scheduled her party at the gym where she takes gymnastics, and we plan on inviting her entire class at school.

Ab is great at telling stories (making up fictitious stories, not lies), singing and dancing, drawing and just being a good little helper. She has a best friend, Leila, and has a few other good girl friends.

About William
William has friends, too -- Clair and Caleb, along with any other friend he happens to make during one of our many visits to the park. He loves to ride his Big Wheel, and he likes to play games on my Kindle Fire.

He is great at numbers. In fact, he is a very smart kid. Can't wait to see what's in store for him.

William likes to "fight," and he has been a little aggressive with Abby lately. We always warned her that one day he would be big enough to fight back. That day is here.

I plan on putting William in a preschool program in the fall.

About Madeline
Maddie isn't walking yet, which is fine by me, but she is crawling up the stairs. Her little personality is starting to come through. She is very, very happy and easy going. But don't mess with the girl's food -- that makes her angry. Maddie will laugh loudly when we laugh, and her gappy grin is so cute!

Madeline

Path of Doors

I'd like to think I've matured, if only a little bit, when it comes to perspective.

There are certainly times in my life where I've experienced disappointment. Why did things not go the way I planned -- or prayed?

In the moment, disappointment can take over, quickly becoming consuming if left unchecked with a healthy dose of perspective. Granted, it sometimes takes a few years to see the "point" of the disappointment.

Looking back over my life, it is easy to see a carved path -- a path that would have looked vastly different if not intersected by disappointment. It is a breathtaking journey and clearly not blazed by me.

For me, these moments of not getting what I wanted is God's way of saying, "Child, I have something way better for you!" And He is right; never have I been disappointed by God's love and discernment.

How do you know when God doesn't want something for you? A metaphor people sometimes use is one of God shutting a "door." He doesn't shut them all -- there are certainly times when God leaves the door wide open. We must first pray and then get up and head toward that door to see if it is the right one for us. And that takes work -- and an amount of "risk"!

So when Chip and I were met with an unexpected shut door this week, it was hard not to be consumed with disappointment. I mean, we thought this door was wide open, ours for the taking.

Not so. And it stings a little. But after a shed tear or two, I felt a wave of comfort. Without a shadow of a doubt, God is in control and knows what is best for us. And whatever that choice is, it will be what we need.

After a little dusting off, we are ready to get back up and try again.

And would you believe a door has been recently opened? Could this be the one?

I'll keep you posted.

Three Days In

Happy 2013!

New Year's Resolution: Get my blog going again. I think I can handle that.

The past month has been a blur, but there is much to talk about and many pictures to post. I'll get right on that.

In the meantime, here's a funny that happened today.

Abby and William were playing remarkably well today, an unfortunate rare occurrence. They proudly ran into my bathroom, and Abby announced that she dressed her brother. "Doesn't he look handsome?" she asked.

"Yes!" I said, and I followed it up with, "It makes Mama's heart so happy to see her children playing so well together."

They ran off and returned a moment or two later. Abby had brushed William's hair, and he looked very pleased with her work.

"Mommy, your stomach happy?" William asked.

What? Is my stomach happy? I tried to process the question, wondering the rationale behind the inquiry.

"I think he meant to say, 'Is your heart happy,' " Abby clarified.

I laughed. Of course that's what he meant.

"Yes, baby. Mommy's heart is very happy."

We all grinned.

Intermission

Apologies, dear readers, for my extended absence. I've got lots to share and talk about.

To be fair, I logged on a couple weeks ago with the intention of posting some photos, but I was shocked to find out I had reached my maximum storage space. But for a nominal fee of $2.99 a month, I can "rent" more. Chip said I can do it, although I've seriously considered starting another blog to avoid this charge.

At any rate, I will be back soon, in one form or another, armed with stories and pictures.

Fire Truck Park

We discovered a neat little park yesterday, so William, Maddie and I went back to check it out today. We had a picnic lunch, climbed on play sets, and, most memorably, played fire fighter. William and I answered "fire calls" to get a cat out of a tree, put out a forest fire, put out a house fire, and ride in a parade. I called him "Captain," and he called me "Captain Mommy." It was a good morning.

Everything really is bigger in Texas. Look at this HUGE acorn!

My Little Gymnast

Abby started her gymnastics class tonight. She had a blast!