Mommy Day and Wendys

Sometimes, life's most precious moments are the little things like a simple lunch at Wendy's. Can't believe Kendall is now old enough to sit in a big chair and dip her fries in the catsup. (Thanks, Papa, for introducing her to that red stuff.) I thoroughly enjoyed watching such child wonder and excitment over a simple kids meal and a book. Kendall had me read the book she got to her twice as she dipped and licked her fries. I loved every minute. And I was reminded how precious these little moments are when the guy sitting at the next table, who obviously was on his lunch break from the car dealership/auto shop next door due to his uniform, sighed and told me he had "five of those [kids] at home". After another little sigh he told me his baby is now 15, and he cannot believe where the time went. I think what he was telling me, really, was to cherish the sweet little moments like those because one day, all too soon, she'll be too big to sit with mom. And she will no longer need my help nor welcome all my lavished attention. She'll need my attention all right, but not as lavishly as I love to give it. And you know what? I'm going to take his word on it.

Mommy and Daughter

Carey, 18 months


Kendall, 15 months

Fist Week at the New Job

I have completed by fist week on the job as Full-Time Mommy. It has been a great week. We're beginning to find a routine, and I've even managed a few small projects that fall under the label of "never have time to get to". And I stress the words SMALL and FEW. But to really assess the first week, ask the boss...

I think the boss is giving Mommy commendable ratings as she played in her room with Mommy.


Kendall loves Pat-A-Cake now that she has mastered clapping.


Speaking of talents, Kendall cleans out drawers and bins with pristine precision.


Next on the list of accomplishments will be reading, I'm sure!


And this little crumb crusher (and crumb picker upper!) is off to the races with her crawling technique. Mommy is in no hurry for her to walk!


I'm still doing some contract-type work from home for the Preschool Ministry for the time being, and I'll be at work a few hours each week or so as needed. Which means Kendall is looking forward to some more days with her Gigi, and I know Gigi is as well since she misses keeping her all day twice a week. So things are pretty good here in the Goza household. (Except Daddy is still waiting for his gourmet meals and made-from-scratch desserts now that I'm home all day. Yeah, that's on the list...somewhere at the bottom! You know, below baseboard scrubbing and window shining.)

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"!

How to Entertain a Fussy Baby at 4pm

So how do you successfully entertain a fussy baby at 4pm? I'll give a million dollars to the person who can give me a foolproof, totally successful answer, along with demonstration and full refund guarantee!

Here are my attempts:






Oh well. tomorrow's another day.

A Little More About Me

Danielle - Saw this on your blog and loved it. Totally cut and pasted it for my blog. Hey, teachers are the best when it comes to sharing and copying great ideas!

Anyway, here's an insight into me:

I am: a Christian saved by God's grace
I think: way too far in advance
I know: my baby is a gift from God
I want: a full night's sleep
I have: the best husband in the world
I wish: I could go on vacation!! (the beach or Jamestown, NY - Lucille Ball's hometown - aka Lucy Mecca)
I hate: being late and peanut butter (not related, but hate both equally)
I miss: being pregnant (I know, weird. But true.)
I fear: for my child's safety
I feel: happy in the mornings (promise of the new day)
I hear: a bird chirping through our chimney
I smell: baby formula
I crave: time with my husband
I search: for answers to Kendall's colic
I wonder: what God's got in store for me
I regret: wasting time by worrying
I love: scrapbooking and blogging
I ache: for those longing for a child
I care about: the presidential election
I always: vacuum my floors (almost daily)
I am not: giving in to emotions (they're not always reality or truth)
I believe: God has a plan for my life
I dance: not very often
I sing: songs to Kendall every morning
I don't always: take time to slow down
I fight: being too busy (hence why I don't take time to slow down)
I write: in my journal sporadically
I win: when I play Lucy Trivia against my sister (tough competition, though)
I lose: my patience when people drive under the speed limit
I never: went to jail
I confuse: homonyms (much to the dismay of my English teaching mother and journalist father)
I listen: to all the baby advice Dr. Danielle gives me
I can usually be found: watching "I Love Lucy" on TV Land
I am scared: of roaches
I need: new clothes for this postpartum body
I am happy: the LSU Tigers are the current National Champions
I would be happier: if the Saints won the Superbowl (equal to a snowball's chance)

Like Mother, Like Daughter?

The first picture is me, June 1978.

The second and third pictures are Kendall, September 2008.

Mom sent me the picture of me. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. Looks like Kendall will keep the generational look-alike streak going four-fold.

First Feeding by Mom

Sorry this video is sideways!! You'll just have to hold your head to the left :)