I've been knee deep in my new business since June 3rd, and ever since then I've been reminded that I can't give everything in my life 100%, as much as I'd love to. One thing I've really missed is my blog. So here I am. Being a working at home mama has been challenging. I fight with myself all the time about not spending enough quality time with my kids, not spending enough time on house chores, not spending enough time in my bible studies and devotions, and how to spend my time wisely with my business. Phew... I know I know, I shouldn't be so hard on myself, but that's where I'm getting at. I've been finding some good ways to prioritize my time and keep me on schedule. Like right now, Sara is sitting on my lap, watching the Croods while I'm typing all this out. ha We're getting some good cuddles in, AND I get to keep saying, "Hey, that's my keyboard silly". There is such thing as too much multi-tasking.
I just finished this bible study with some ladies from church on "Calming my Anxious Heart". In a nutshell, God has taught me not to worry so much. Trust that God has His in my life and that He will take care of me. Another thing I really have taken to heart with this bible study is that I should not dwell on the future. It's in my blood to always want a plan, but I have been spending too much time dwell on what life with be like in the future, or what it'll be like in Alaska, that I guess I "check out" of the place I'm at. This bible verse sums it up: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7
Not only this, but it's reminded me to be content with what God has provided us with. We've really had to start hardcore budgeting recently. We had been spending like we use to, because we were so use to not having to worry about how we would pay for things. Now, it's all about having a plan, sticking to our budget, looking for sales, couponing, thinking before we buy "do I really need this?", and saving for things. I know that God will provide, I just selfishly get upset when we just can't go out to eat at our favorite place because I don't feel like cooking that day, or going on vacation without thinking about costs. But in all honesty, I feel like we're really creating new healthy money habits, and learning LOTS about self-control! Budget almost feels like a whole other side job too. haha
The LuLaRoe business has been hard and fun. I really do like selling it, but starting up a new company is really hard. It's not like teaching where I worked hard and then always knew exactly when I'd be paid. With this... I'm constantly making money and then turning around and putting it back into buying more things. So it's hard to see the fruits of my labor. But I get to make women happy, and I get to help them feel good about themselves. And that's a fun part of the job.
Then there's the Home School Preschool! I just started it up today with the girls. I'm following an awesome mommy blogger at simplylearningkids.com and she puts together these Literature Units for toddlers and to go along with it, she has Tiny Tot activities. So both girls can do things. I love it because it's the right balance of school and play. I firmly believe in learning through playing at this age. I don't expect the girls to be reading books before they get to Kindergarten, but it is nice giving them a foundation and hopefully showing them early that learning IS in fact fun! I LOVE being able teach at home and the girls seem to enjoy it too. So I'm hopping to open up a tab so that I can show off things we do for people to get idea or just see what we're up to! If you have Instagram, you can also follow what we do @teachermama1138
Our family has been doing pretty well. It seems like the girls are constantly getting sick.... Sara especially. We didn't do too much traveling this summer. Well, I take that back... we did make a road trip to Las Vegas and then the girls and I went down to visit my family in Arizona. That was a lot of fun. And all my grandparents were so happy to see the girls in person. Jason made a trip back to Ohio. His PeePaw (Grandpa), hasn't been doing too well. He'd been in and out of the hospital, and this is a crazy story about God's timing. We had planned on sending Jason out when I went to Arizona. We figured he'd be able to check up on his PeePaw, or he'd get to be there for his Nannie and give her some support. So Jason flew in and got to Ohio and went straight to his grandparent's house, and his PeePaw at this point was not doing well, but he was at home. Jason was able to spend the evening with PeePaw and his family and they shared some very memorable moments together. And early that next morning, PeePaw passed away. Jason was able to stay in Ohio for the funeral too. I know he was very grateful for the time he got to spend with PeePaw and the time he spent celebrating his life. We also made a family trip up to San Fransisco, which 2 years ago I vowed never to do again... but one of my best friends was getting married and I wasn't about to miss that. Next month, we're making our last Disneyland trip before we move and in October we are heading to Arizona for my mom's side of the family reunion!
So the girls.... These girls are SO awesome. I love them! Most of the time they play really well together! But oh man... when they don't play well, it gets LOUD. haha Sara is almost 3! Crazy. She is in love with Aladdin and Baymax a (Big Hero 6) at the moment. She still loves to read and she loves playing with my old Polly Pockets. She is such a sweet and caring big sister, but obviously she has her stubborn moments too or moment of weakness where she gets really mad at Jordyn. She's getting good with ridding her scooter and her tricycle and has finally gotten to the point where she can go to the bathroom completely on her own (though she did fall in the toilet the other day because she didn't put her toilet seat on). Sara just started going to the 3-5 year old Sunday School class. She loves it. She always talks about going to school, and since we won't be sending her to school anytime soon... we thought is was time for her to step up to the next class! We're working on skills of getting herself dressed, cleaning herself in the tub, and making her own snacks. Jordyn is 14 months now. She picked up on walking very quickly, and is now almost running after Sara now. She doesn't physically say much, but she has picked up sign language really well. She's a feisty girl. Jordyn loves to dance and she loves to snuggle with her Mickey and Minney. OH, and she loves bouncy balls. Anytime we're out at a store, she gets so excited when pass them. Really, she just loves to play. It's been crazy how much she understands! I'll say "Did you go poo poo?" and then she'll sign "diaper" and go get one, bring it back and lay down right in front of us. haha
We're
just counting down the days until Alaska! Oh! And Jason made Tech
Sergeant. So that's good news. I guess that's all I've got to say for
now. Hopefully it won't be too long before I get back on here again.
