Glancing Back, Looking Forward

Well, this is it. Today was my last day of work. Yet another chapter in my life is over, and a new one is beginning. It's good change, but change none the less. Leaving work is bittersweet, though the sweet far outweighs the bitter. I was a little nostalgic on my way home today (as has been the pattern every time I've made a change), remembering all the wonderful times I've had at work, the dear friends I had made, and the opportunity God had given me to serve full-time at my church. But I'm looking forward to the awesome opportunity God has given me to be able to stay home and be full-time Mommy to Kendall. There were times over the past several years where I seriously doubted I would ever see this day. And as I look back at God's hand moving in my life, I am once again amazed at what a great God He is. I see how He has led me through some challenges, and has used the opportunities to grow me and mold me. And as I face this next opportunity He has placed before me, I pray for His wisdom, guidance and strength. I am humbled that He chose me to be Kendall's mom, and I take seriously the task ahead of me to raise her in His love and admonition. God provides us moments to look back and praise Him for what He has done, but I don't want to linger in the past and miss what He has for me now. So I press forward, continuing to run the race set out before me so that at the end of my life, I will have fulfilled the purposes God had for me. (Told you I was nostalgic this afternoon!)

Anyway, being the Baptists that we are, a potluck luncheon was thrown in my honor. We sat around and stuffed ourselves silly. Then I busted out the camera. Hee Hee. Here are a few pictures from today.

Ok, to preface this picture. Bro Claude had come by my office every day to give me a hug and wish me a good day. He's been harassing me these past few weeks about leaving and how he would miss having me around. Anyway, I was trying to take a sweet picture with two of my bestest friendes, Leslie and Jennifer, when he busted all up in the picture. And here's what followed...



After a "smart"comment from Jennifer, he attempted to get her out of the picture...


And he succeeded somewhat with help from the photographer and a close up...


And after all that, we finally got our picture, only to have those stinkin' lillies (or whatever they are) growing out of our heads!


Me and my preschool peeps (Margaret and Jane)...


And another friend, Bonnie...


And hanging out back in my cleared-out office with Kathy and Missy, who is taking over my job...


Today was a good day. Tomorrow I'll wake up and not go to work. Instead, Kendall and I will hang out together and clean the house to get ready for our big July 4 plans. Good days!

Going From 9 to 5 to 24/7

Well, here's the big announcement that I know has kept everyone on the edge of their seats:

I am making a career change. I am leaving my job to come home and be a full-time Mommy to Kendall. I am SO looking forward to being home. Gabe and I have prayed about this and know that it's the right decision for our family, and the best decision for Kendall. For the past two years I have been the Preschool Ministry Assistant at our church. I have been blessed to serve along side friends in a ministry in where my heart truly is. God has given me a passion and a gift for teaching little children. I will still be involved in the ministry, but in different ways that don't require me to be at work Monday through Friday.

And here's the reason for my title. (Those of you with children will get a kick out of this.) When I went home on maternity leave I had this crazy notion that I would not be working for twelve weeks. HA HA HA! Boy was that ever far from the truth!! I realized that being a mommy to a newborn was the hardest job I had ever done. I mean ranked right up there with teacher in an inner city public school classroom (in which I have five years experience)! So I am being smarter this time. I am leaving a 9 to 5 job to come home to a 24/7 job that requires me to constantly be on call and offers little to no vacation. But being a mommy is more rewarding than I ever could have thought so I don't mind the hours at all!

In no way do I judge other moms who work outside the home, whether for financial necessity or desire. After all, I've been there. I know the labels that can be placed on working moms. And I know how hard it can be to leave your baby every day to head off to the office. And I know the sacrifices involved in juggling work and home responsibilities. These moms need our support and our encouragement. Gabe and I will have to make some major spending cuts (not like we were just carefree spenders already. Those of you who know Gabe can truly appreciate that little wise crack!) We are all about simplifying our lives. In the process we're learning that there is plenty of "stuff" that we can indeed live without. God is Jehovah Jirah, Our Provider, and we know that He has called us to this and He will bless our faithfulness and supply our every need. He always has and He will continue to prove Himself faithful.

One thing I am excited about (other than spending my days with Kendall!) is getting back to Bible Study! YEA!!! I've been a part of a weekly woman's Bible study for several years now, but have taken a leave since I've been working since I couldn't bear to leave Kendall at night after having been at work all day. I've felt a little isolated from the other women who have become such dear friends to me.

I couldn't resist in posting a few memorable pictures from work. Yes, we do plenty of work, but here's some "fun" pictures. (Jane, don't get mad - you know you'll miss me!):

This picture is from a LifeWay conference in Nashville. Left to right are: Rita (our Kindergarten Director - I taught K for two years before moving into the office), Jane, our Preschool Associate, and Margaret, our Preschool Director, and me. There were plenty of laughs from that trip, but I'll spare you all the hilarious details.


This one is from our preschool leadership Christmas dinner. And yes, there are spiral little sparkly things growing out of our heads. Again, no details.


And my all time favorite. I sent this picture out to the staff on my last day before maternity leave which was two days before Kendall was born. Let's just say that I didn't trust Margaret's obstetrician skills, thus I checked myself into the hospital the morning of September 11.


I am excited about the next chapter of my life. I consider it a high calling to be a mom. I pray that God will give Gabe and me wisdom as we raise Kendall to be a godly young lady. He has entrusted this little girl into our hands and we desire to raise her as a mighty warrior for God's kingdom. After all, Kendall Lauren means "Royal Conquerer"!

Puff Mama

What a difference a day makes. Kendall now LOVES puffs. She's eating them like they're going out of style. But lawyer Daddy investigated by reading the fine print and realized that it takes 90 puffs to equal 25 calories, so I'm not really worried about it.

And yesterday, Kendall also ate bread and a banana. (About a fifth of a banana to be more accurate.) We're rockin' and rollin' now. Tomorrow is Kendall's nine month check up at the pediatrician. Can't believe it. My baby is growing up.

Pool Time

Unlike at the beach, Mommy filled Kendall's pool up with water for some much needed relief from this ridiculous heat. (Seriously, this massive heat wave has been absolutely unbearable, with no drop of rain anywhere on the extended forecast.) Kendall had a blast splashing in the water, and Sophie had just as much fun lapping up as much as she could. Kendall seems to love the water which is not much of a surprise since she has always loved bath time. I'm sure this little pool will get much use this summer.

Update status: Kendall now LOVES puffs. (See previous post.) We even ventured on to green beans last night. Progress!

Puffs

We are attempting to take the leap into "big girl foods" around here. Being that Kendall has always loved her bottle and her baby food, I never thought it would be an issue. I'm wondering if she is one of those "texture freak" babies. Her daddy could throw up on command when he was little, so I have been told, if the bite wasn't quite what he wanted. I surely hope I will not be faced with the same. Here you can see the attempts at Kendall's first bite of "Puffs" which, though they dissolve quickly, don't do so quickly enough obviously.

But, I must say that in the two additional attempts since these pictues, we have progressed from gagging to halfway tolerance. Hopefully table food won't be too far away. (Though I am loving the convenience of popping open a jar and - presto - dinner.)

I guess change is not easy, even for babies. Who likes change? Isn't it easier to do things the way we've always done them? Not venture out in the unknown? Well, while Kendall is facing food changes, Mommy is embarking on changes of her own. Good changes. Great changes. Awesome changes. But changes none the less.

How about that for a cliff hanger??? Though most of you know already anyway. But I'm working on a blog entry about it so the official word will just have to wait. (Hey, gotta keep the readers coming back! You know, add a little suspense to the day to day baby stuff.)

Mama Thoughts 2

I am learning how quickly babies grow up, and how easy it is to forget all the cute little things they do. I had written Kendall a letter on my entry "Mama Thoughts" a while back. Already, she has outgrown some of the sweet things I had written so I decided it was time for part two.

Kendall, when we left for the beach you were a little baby. When we returned five short days later, you were a toddler and a wild woman! Where did our little baby go? Daddy tends to think it was the salt water that grew you up over night. You are in to EVERYTHING. Well, everything except your toys that is. Why did we invest so much in Fisher Price and Playskool when you are satisfied with boxes, wrappers, strings, tags, cords, or anything that crumples? I think for your birthday we will get you a bunch of tags and string. That'll keep you occupied much longer. Mrs. Danielle called it way back when. She told Mama that she could look into your eyes and tell that you were gonna be a mess when you began crawling. Was she ever right! But you're a cute and lovable mess, my sweet baby. You don't miss anything at all. You keep me on my toes, and last week you even helped me out by showing me the one outlet that I forgot to plug up with one of those plastic thingies that claim to be child proof. (Let's hope so, it took your Aunt JuJu all of two weeks to learn to flick those things out.)

You are a studier. You eye everyone up from head to toe. You can be shy and timid, yet you win everyone over so quickly with your smiles and hugs.


You are so easy to take anywhere, including a five hour car trip to the beach. New places and atmospheres are your favorite because there is so much new stuff to study. Mommy doesn't have to pack as many toys when she knows you'll be busy people-watching.


Your newest new thing is Daddy shoulder rides. You are hot stuff way up there that high. And you make sure I know it! Oh, how you love your Daddy!


Just yesterday I went to get you up from your nap (actually you were letting me know you were up) and this is what I saw when I walked into your room. You've been pulling up for about two weeks now, but this was your fist time to pull up in your crib. And lately, I've been finding your paci in the middle of the floor. I snuck in and watched you earlier. While sitting, you pull back your bumper pad and flick it out between the crib slats! Why not? You like watching everything else hit the floor.

And your new favorite love: Elmo. You used to be scared of anything red but you have since overcome this fear. When reading a book I'll say, "Kendall, love Elmo," and you'll lean over and plant a fat slobbery kiss on Elmo. Yesterday I told you Elmo was on your diaper. But the further you leaned over to look, the more your budda belly covered him up! Too cute!

You are growing up way too fast my precious baby. I love every second with you. And I don't want to miss a thing.