1, August, 17, 2008
Happy Birthday Dad! I miss you so much. I am still waiting for the whole in my heart to healed. While I wait I will continue to remember you and tell the world your story. The kids made you birthday cards today. Hannah said she knows that you are having the best birthday party in heaven with Jesus right now!
I know that you are being a silly Poppa for all the kids in heaven right now. Have fun and I will see you soon.
I love you,
Nesha
1, August, 7, 2008
A lot of people have been asking me what I think of staying at home full-time vs. working outside the home, (I make the distinction of working “outside the home” since we are all moms that work in some way or another) now that it’s been almost a year. Well, I will tell you that I think about this on a daily basis. Staying home vs. working full-time is such a touch issue with women these days, and I think we all need to remember that each mom has to make the best choice for her family and her children. I think that also means waiting on God’s time and the plans he has for all of us. Can I get a Amen?
So I thought I might humor you, (okay, maybe just myself) with a little comparison for you of my life now vs. my life as a business woman. Are you ready for this?
Instead of keeping a tight schedule of reports, production and fundraising deadlines….
I keep a tight schedule of mealtimes, nap times, laundry time, craft time, dinner time, and bed times.
Instead of managing a budget for an entire department…
I am learning to manage my household budget, clip coupons, I play the grocery game (and get a kick out of beating the grocery stores), I buy almost everything generic and I look for ways to save money on EVERYTHING.
Instead of being mentally tired and drained from the office politics of the day…
I am physically tired like NEVER BEFORE from chasing after three kids to make sure they live to see tomorrow.
Instead of lunch meetings over fancy sandwiches and great conversation with my co-workers (who I miss dearly)…
I eat mac-n-cheese with cut-up hot dogs and sip on Capri Sun’s with my three best little buddies.
Instead of resolving employee conflicts and holding what felt like intervention meetings…
I now resolve conflicts between my son and daughter, but you can never figure out “who started it” with a 7 and 5 year old.
Instead of Starbucks’ breaks with my girlfriends and work…
I now take Barbie breaks with my 5 year old girlfriend.
Instead of being too stressed and too tired to “hang out” with my husband…
I now can’t wait for him to come home since I need an adult to talk too (and you can fill in the rest!)
Instead of waking up each morning and dreading dropping off my little boy…
I get to spend the entire day with him watching him grow, and thanking God for the chance he gave me to slow down, even if for just a little while.
So I guess in the end my answer is…BOTH are really hard to do. There isn’t one situation that is harder than the other, or easier than the other. It’s all a trade off of sorts. But there is always ONE right choice for every family. I will continue to support women who do either, as long as it is what God has called them to do.
1, July, 30, 2008
Today I am feeling forsaken…alienated…hurt…confused…frustrated…that about sums it up.
But I know that Christ will turn alienation into inclusion, hurt into joy, confusion into clarity, and frustration into peace…and all I need to do is ask him too. The question is will I ask? Am I humble enough to ask him to fix these things or will I try to control what I am feeling. Please pray that I will ask him.
I feel like this!
1, July, 30, 2008
I take the kids to visit their Poppa Jim about once a month. It’s not nearly enough. He is my Dad’s father and he is 85 years old. He is a highly decorated WWII veteran but today he is just Poppa. Many people have forgotten his sacrafice. Many people have forgotten him. He tells me he misses my Dad everytime I see him. And each time I see him he has found a new picture of me with my Dad. It’s my secret surprise that I look forward to getting each time I visit. But then I feel horrible sadness when I visit him because I am reminded that my Dad is not here. I am reminded that my Dad won’t be there visiting with me. I am reminded that I must now try to look out for our Poppa Jim without Dad there to help.
1, July, 30, 2008
We have a new addition to our family. Meet Nigel. He is a 5th month old brown and black tabby. He was supposed to be Hannah’s baby, but he follows me everywhere! What’s one more baby following me around the house?
1, July, 17, 2008
“Mommy, If Heaven is our real home, why does God make us live on Earth first?”
Can anyone help me with an appropriate answer for a 7 1/2 year old?
1, July, 10, 2008
Micah and I will celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary on October 17. But since we won’t have a chance to get-a-way for a long trip then, we decided to celebrate early since my mom could take care of the kids for us!
We went on our first cruise to Cabo San Lucas. It was so much fun. We realized that crusing was definitely the way to go as far as traveling. Hopefully we will go on a cruise next year with the kids.
We had to take this picture ourselves! That’s one downside to traveling without friends!
On our way to snorkel!
1, July, 10, 2008
1, July, 9, 2008
I drove my mom to the airport today. Today she flew back to Florida after staying with us for nearly a month. She is awesome. The helped me with the kids so much and even watched them so Micah and I could go on a cruise! What a blessing it was to have her here.
This past month I was together with her and my four other sisters again after too many years apart. It was a noisy time to have all five sisters together but SO MUCH fun. We came together because my 17 1/2 year nephew graduated with honors from high school (with a 4.8 thank you very much) and will be attending UC San Diego this fall! The only person missing was Dad. I didn’t realize until we were all together how alone I really feel sometimes outside of my immediate family. So many of my girlfriends have their parents and siblings nearby and I wonder if that take that blessing for granted. I miss them all already. The house is quiet now even with my three kids here. It’s a different kind of quiet. I feel alone.
Owen and Nana
My little sis Shayla, Owen and Me
Eric, Hannah, Ahlia, and Shayla
1, June, 19, 2008
This is my Hannah. Many of you know her. Some of you have heard about her. She is not shy. She is a free spirit. She is literally the sunshine of my life. I have never met a child who loves life more than her. She is my stubborn, uh I mean “strong willed” child. She is my little girl.
Today is her 5th fifth birthday. We have been celebrating this birthday for a week now since all of 4 of my sisters have been her to love on her. I wish I could bottle up her contagious happy-go-lucky little spirit and share it with everyone. I love this girl. She asked me to remind you that there are more pictures of her to come. They haven’t been uploaded yet from her auntie’s camera! Gotta love her.
