Monday, July 30, 2012

Upcoming CA Trip

I am leaving for CA in just a few days.  Going on this trip is both very exciting and sad at the same time.  I am really excited to go back home and see family and friends in Lodi.  I am also really looking forward to being a part of my best friend's wedding on Sunday evening.  I haven't been down to SoCal since the winter of 2007 (I think...maybe it was 2008).  I will make a quick stop on Biola's campus and then get into full blown wedding mode.  I'm so excited!!!!

Why would I be sad about this trip, then?  The answer is 2 men...my hubby and son won't be traveling with me and Kyleigh.  Ryan unfortunately has some work that must be completed this week before students arrive on campus.  As much as I love my husband, I've been away from him before and I am not worried about the 6 days we'll be apart.

Reagan is a different story.  I've haven't been away from him more than 48 hours, so this will be a big deal for me.  I'm sure he'll miss me now that he's used to me being home everyday with him.  However, I am really sad to be leaving him behind.  He's at such a fun age right now and doing the funniest things.  Everyday is something new.  Maybe he'll even have a new word when I come home.  I know he'll be in great hands while Ryan is at work...thanks, Katie!....but I can't help but be a little sad leaving him here.

As I'm trying to do...I'll enjoy the moments in the next 2 days before I leave and I know I'll enjoy my many moments in CA.  My agenda is jammed packed the entire 6 days I'll be gone, so there will be plenty to enjoy and remember!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Where I am

My old boss reached out to me shortly after Kyleigh was born to check in and see how I was doing.  He also asked when I would bring the kids by and at that point, I wasn't too sure.

Today, I made a trip to my old workplace for a visit not only to see my old boss, but to see the friends I had made during the 3 years of employment.  To be honest, I was a little apprehensive about visiting.  I didn't know how the visit would go.  My boss really didn't want me to leave and this was the first time I would see him since quitting.

To my delight, it was a great visit!  People were excited to meet Kyleigh and see Reagan again.  Honestly, Reagan received more attention than Kyleigh.  He was quite the ham while I was there.  He started running all over the place (and I was trying to catch him before he got himself into trouble on the production floor!) and having a great time with all of the new people.  He even acted like he wanted to work; putting his arms up to the receptionist and sitting on her lap while staring at the computer :) He especially flirted with the girls at work; giving them his adorable Reagan smile.

It was really nice to get a chance to catch up with my boss and the other people I knew well.  My boss asked how I was adjusting and I was thankful to answer honestly that I was adjusting well!  He seemed genuinely happy for me and didn't ask if I wanted to come back (of which I was very thankful!).  A few of my other co-workers, mainly the production floor staff, asked when I would be back and I just smiled.

As I got into my car and began to drive away, I thought about where I am in life at this moment.  Going into this visit, I didn't know if I was going to leave feeling like I wanted to be back there.  Even though I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, it was still difficult to quit my job and enter a different type of job.  I was very scared initially; not sure if I was going to be happy at home with my kids.  But after this visit, I felt reassured of the decision Ryan and I made together.  I feel more than ever (even though it's only been 11 weeks) that I am where I am supposed to be.  While I do miss my old job and the people, my new job of being home with my children is such a blessing from the Lord.  The Lord provided a job for Ryan to allow me to be home and I am so grateful.  I am also grateful to my amazing husband for both the financial and emotional support he's given me.

I am one lucky woman to be where I am.


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Playdough?

I've thought on several occasions that it would be nice to make Reagan some homemade playdough.  I even looked up the recipe several weeks ago, but never got around to trying it out.

I convinced myself today was going to be the day.  Both kids were sleeping, the laundry was mostly complete, and it was time.  For those of you who know me very well, the kitchen is not my friend.  I need VERY specific recipes to follow with the amount of time each step should take.  This is where my trouble began.  The recipe was clear; however, it doesn't say how long to knead the dough.  So I kept kneading and kneading and kneading...to no avail!  I finally gave up...my first attempt at playdough failed.  But that's okay...I'll get back on the horse (or into the kitchen) and try again.  Another day :)

Off to my crying Kyleigh I go!


The picture represents my efforts, but the end results looks nothing like playdough!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Grateful for some...zzzzz

Kyleigh has been sleeping really well at night lately.  And I mean really well!!  Last night, she fell asleep shortly after 7:30 and didn't get up to eat again until 5:50am.  Talk about a grateful mom for the much needed rest.  I don't want to jinx myself, but the past 5 nights in a row, she has slept through the night.  Could it really be that my 7 week old daughter is going to continue sleeping through the night?


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Feeling Encouraged

Kyleigh woke me up about 5:45am today and as I began to nurse her, I heard Reagan playing in his crib.  I thought "This could end up being a very long day."  However, both kids fell back asleep and I was lucky enough to stay in bed until 8am!!!!  It's amazing how a little extra sleep can make all the difference!

Today, I am feeling very encouraged.  I can't pinpoint why I feel so encouraged today specifically, but I am thankful for it!  I had a wonderful time with a friend and her kids this morning.  We had a chance to catch up and just let the kids play - they did great!  After they left, the house was quiet (only for a brief moment), the toys were picked up, there wasn't a mess in every room in the house, and I just felt encouraged.  That's all I can say is I feel encouraged :)

On a different note, it's amazing to me that 5 years ago today, Ryan and I embarked on an adventure we thought would only last 3 years.  We left California and headed to Illinois for Ryan to begin his Masters Degree at Trinity.  We never thought we'd still be here, but we are!  As I mentioned to my friend earlier today, the Lord's hand was definitely at work.  I am thankful for everything He's done so far and how He's lead us down the path we're following.

I am so thankful and have much to praise the Lord for!


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Blog Name

You may wonder how I decided on "Enjoying this Moment" as my blog name.  Since becoming a stay at home mom, I have often found myself looking toward the next thing.  Whether that "thing" was fixing lunch for Reagan or Ryan arriving home from work or walking to the park that afternoon, I was always looking at the clock and seeing how much time was between now and the next "thing."

The past few days, the Lord has pressed upon my heart to enjoy the current moment.  I needed to enjoy the laughter coming from my son.  I needed to enjoy watching Reagan "dance dance" in the kitchen to the fridge farm.  I needed to enjoy the first smile Kyleigh gave me.  It was time for me to stop looking toward the next thing on the schedule for the day and just be thankful for the precious moments that occur in between the next "thing."

There you have it.  Here's to "Enjoying this Moment"

Monday, July 16, 2012

Trying this Out

A few nights ago, Kyleigh woke up to eat around 12:50am. While this was a little earlier than normal, it didn't bother me.  What got to me was after she finished eating!  Instead of going back to sleep like she normally does, she wanted to have some one-on-one time with mommy.  I love my daughter dearly; however, I wasn't in the mood to have her look into my eyes until 2:00am.

In an effort to get her to fall asleep, I walked many laps around her bedroom and almost fell asleep myself to the rhythm of the pat, pat, pat on her butt!  During the midst of my laps, I thought about my new life as a stay-at-home mom.  I really would like to document the growth of my children and myself through this new adventure, but didn't know the best way to go about it.  I knew journaling was out (it's just not me!), so I thought about blogging.

So here it begins...I'm trying this out!