Hope you had a great weekend! It’s QUESTION TIME again today! A few weeks ago, I asked for any questions you guys might have and am sharing more of the Q and A with you. Part 1 is from this post, just in case you missed it. Let’s get down to it.
I graduated college in December 2005 and substitute taught as well as tutored the spring semester of 2006 while I searched for a job. I scored a third grade teaching position in Allen, Texas, a neighboring town, for the 2006-2007 school year and taught there for three years until we decided I’d stay home with Ebby Lee. I blogged as well as tried a few other things before working with Shay at Mix and Match Travel. I absolutely LOVE this job!
The hardest part for Tab and I {so far} were those early days of me staying at home with two babies and figuring out our new roles. He being the sole provider, but coming home to a house with two busy littles was way different than him coming home and relaxing. I had to learn that my job was to change diapers, feed babies all day, and the unnecessary counting of my diaper changing ratio to his was always gonna be off. I was a horrible, “score keeper”, in those early years with babies, totally admitting that! Those were {so far} our toughest years. We were both learning our new roles as parents as well as new roles within our relationship.
If you were asking me what’s the toughest part about marriage with kids right now….I’d answer just making time for each other outside of kids and their activities. Tab has two jobs, our kids are involved in activities, and sometimes the easy thing to do is to not prioritize our alone time. But we’ve learned it’s way better for us. It’s not always easy to make that happen, but it’s always worth it.
Hmmmm…I wouldn’t say I struggle with my weight, but I do make the conscious decision to exercise, eat well {most of the time}, and stay active in order to stay healthy. I’m not someone who weighs myself in between those yearly check-ups with my doctor. I try to make good decisions most of the time but want to live life and enjoy all things in moderation.
I love so much about Texas! If I had to choose one favorite thing, I’d choose the people. The weather here is a close second for me. I don’t mind a very short cold season. And I know some of you reading this from Michigan are laughing that I’m even suggesting we have a cold season. 🙂
My faith journey began as a young child. I was taken to church practically anytime the church doors were open, we talked about Jesus at home, and were taught all about what living out your faith really looks like. At the age of eight, I asked Jesus to come live in my heart and with child-like faith I became a Christian.
I’ve had many ups and down, hills and valleys throughout my life when it comes to my Christian walk. But one thing that remains is how much God loves me, loves my family, and loves YOU. The biggest faith journey our family has been on in is adopting Britt. You guys. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some major doubts at times or a few sob fests or even calling a friend to ask her to pray NOW…like NOW, because I was a mess. At times that journey was so tough because it was by pure faith alone we were trusting in God that this baby would be such a perfect fit for us. But God. He knew. He knew how amazing she’d be. He knew how much love, fun, and sass she’d add to our family. He knew she would change all five of our hearts in big, big ways by teaching us to love more deeply. I knew how much our adoption journey would change Britt, but He knew how much it would change Tab, Ebby Lee, Nixon, Bowen, and me. That journey stretched us, changed us, and grew us in our faith like nothing had ever done before. And for that, I’m so very thankful.
My favorite thing has been all the family time we’ve had together. Typically the spring/summer would have been busy, busy, busy with all the kids’ sports, Tab was officiating in the XFL so his weekend schedule was full of travel plans, and hanging out as a family of six would have been few and far between. My favorite things have been family movie nights, big family dinners complete with a dessert baked by Ebby Lee, and lots of game nights.
Whoa! Mama, whoever you are. I feel you! Working from home with kids at home is so tough! The day before I always make a game plan for the following day. I figure out work stuff and how long that will take, housework that needs to be done, as well as fun stuff with kids and try my best to figure out a time line for the following day. Which means, I’m only working like 24 hours at a time over here, but it usually works for me. And if you’re like me and there’s a busy day tomorrow that might mean waking up SUPER early to get my stuff done so the rest of the day can run as normal.
No kids to one kid. HANDS DOWN. Tab and I were both working and he was officiating as much football as he could around here…junior high, junior varsity, varsity, and even some weekend pee wee games. When I was hungry, I ate. When I was tired, I napped. Our schedules revolved around US. My, oh my, did that change. Sweet baby Ebby Lee ROCKED OUR WORLD. In all the best ways, I should add, but that was the hardest transition.
I had several mom friends with little babies all around the same age who stayed at home too. One day I was supposed to meet a couple for lunch and a friend called to chat before hand. I told her I was skipping lunch because I was just SO TIRED and her response was, “Everyone’s tired. You need to come.” I’d be lying if I said her response didn’t sting a bit, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed to hear. No one prepared me for the physical exhaustion of a new baby and I didn’t realize EVERY PARENT IS TIRED. Tired in different ways I’m realizing now. I get plenty of sleep every night with my four kids but some nights I’m exhausted from late night games and early morning practices. Needless to say, no kids to one, rocked our world.
I had several mom friends with little babies all around the same age who stayed at home too. One day I was supposed to meet a couple for lunch and a friend called to chat before hand. I told her I was skipping lunch because I was just SO TIRED and her response was, “Everyone’s tired. You need to come.” I’d be lying if I said her response didn’t sting a bit, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed to hear. No one prepared me for the physical exhaustion of a new baby and I didn’t realize EVERY PARENT IS TIRED. Tired in different ways I’m realizing now. I get plenty of sleep every night with my four kids but some nights I’m exhausted from late night games and early morning practices. Needless to say, no kids to one, rocked our world.
Britty is one tough little cookie. Right now we’re at a bit of a stand still in between surgeries. She just had a little dental work done last week on her front tooth and handled it so well. For now, we’re continuing with bi-weekly speech sessions. I, as well as others, have noticed huge improvements in her speech, but now we need to focus on articulation. She has plenty of language now. Trust me. 🙂 The other night at dinner she was trying to tell Tab about swimming at the pool and she said, “Nixon put me on his shoulders at the pool. Right, Mom? Did you see me?”. I could understand every word because I had a frame of reference, but it’s a little tough sometimes. There might be an outpatient surgery in the next couple years, but probably not. Her next big surgery will be around eight-years-old. For now we’re focused on speech and getting ready for kindergarten next fall.
I think these are the glasses in question.
Thanks so much for reaching today! See you tomorrow!
XO
Ahhhh! I loved this post!! Your readers had so many great questions! I also love your story with Britt. She was absolutely made for your family. xo
That’s such a cute story about Britt! And so many great questions and answers! Love it! Have a great Week!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Well, this should really come as no surprise, but I got teary reading what you wrote about Britt and your family. Love you, friend!
Yes, I thought zero to one was the hardest transition too. I always joke that after that tired is tired and adding more on just doesn't seem as difficult.