Kasen's Dedication

For each of our children, the moment that we have been able to dedicate them to the Lord has been a really special for us as parents. Consequently, we have tried to make it a big occasion, celebrating with family and friends the wonderful gift that the Lord has entrusted us with.

This Sunday, we had the pleasure of dedicating Kasen, 3 months old, back to the Lord. As parents, Casey and I consider it a blessing to stand humbly with our family, admitting that our child is a gift to us for a time, fully belonging to God and what He has in store for his life. We believe that the Lord has wonderful things in store for our son, and commit to raise him according to His ways so that our son can learn to love and know the same God that we serve.

Following the ceremony, we do what we do best...PARTY! Everyone came over for a potluck lunch and yummy desserts. We fellowship, laugh, and watch the kids run around. All in all it was a special day for us, one that we pray stays on our hearts for the years to come.

(I have a great video of the event that will not upload for some reason. Hopefully I'll have it up soon.)

"Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had hold plans for you: A prophet to the nations -- that's what I had in mind for you."

Jeremiah 1:5 MSG

Reality Sets In

As the afternoon wears on, I sit here mentally making a to-do list and emotionally preparing myself for a day that has held so much meaning these past few months. Six months ago it felt like an eternity; 3 weeks ago it seemed like an impossibility; today it is reality. The event is Wednesday, October 3, 2012, the day I head back to work after 12 glorious weeks off with my new, expanded family. The time I have spent focused on family has truly been a blessing beyond what I expected (you can read about it here), one that I will treasure for always.

A few weeks ago I panicked at the thought of returning to a full time schedule of work. Life still seemed out of sorts, schedules were often varying, and our world didn't quite feel "normal" yet. Today, I feel ready...well, mostly. Life has created patterns again throughout the days, children have settled back into daily schedules, and I feel like I could conquer the world. My only fear is making it all happen once again.

As always happens, I have created patterns throughout the day of things to do and accomplish, strategically placing them within the allotted hours of the day. Most of these patterns I don't want to give up, nor do I think I should, so the challenge comes in re-arranging the day once again. So, in order to help me cope with the change, here is what my "new" first day looks like:

5:30 AM - Rise and Shine
6:00 AM - Feed baby boy
6:30 AM - Work out at the gym
8:00 AM - Arrive at the office
2:00 PM - Head home
2:15 PM - Throw a load of laundry in
2:30 PM - Work at home during kids' naps (husband heads out for gym & work)
4:15 PM - Start working on dinner
5:00 PM - Dinner Ready
5:30 PM - Bath time for baby boy
6:30 PM - Kasen in bed, girls clean up playroom
7:00 PM - Girls in jammies and read books
7:30 PM - Girls in bed, clean up kitchen/house
8:00 PM - Fold load of laundry (one load of laundry each day keeps in manageable)
8:30 PM - Finish any additional work, mommy time, prepare for next day
10:30 PM - Bed Time

I know it can all be accomplished with grace and dignity; the prayer comes in asking for the strength and rest to do so.

The challenge I fear the most: the emotional pull. I have thoroughly enjoyed the dedicated time I have had to my three children the last few weeks. The ability to focus on being mommy for a little while without the mental pull of my job has been a delight and much needed for my mommy's heart. As I look at tomorrow and the change it will bring, I am so thankful for my family and what they mean to me, and to my husband and the support he brings. His dedication to our children throughout the day makes it possible for me to love and enjoy my job outside of the home, ultimately making it easy to come back home to slip the mommy hat on once again.

I truly treasure every aspect of my life: family, children, job...I'm, once again, up for the challenge of making it all flourish within any given day. That is after I do the ironing, cleaning, writing out children schedules, making my lunch, etc.

Bye! Must get on with it :)