Feeling Needed!

I thought that all I was good for was being a wife and mother(which is GREAT, don't get me wrong). But I have been reminded that I have others looking up to me too!

I teach the young woman at church and often feel that I am just reading straight out of the manual every Sunday.

"I don't feel I need to sit there and teach them, they already seem to know everything" I would often say to myself over and over again.

But this past Sunday, a father of one of the young woman I teach, approached me and told me that his daughter really liked me being her teacher. I broke down in tears! (Which isn't that unusual for me) But it hit me, I felt needed!!! I was making a difference in at least someone's life. It made me feel special (in a heartwarming way, not the weird way)! So now I know that I am supposed to be teaching those girls. Even if I am repeating everything they already know, they are listening! I am so grateful for that and for the Young Women's Program.

Spring...is coming....I HOPE!

The four seasons come and go every year. And every year the cold, bitter, harsh winters can not end soon enough! We have a few days of nice beautiful weather and this Heavenly Father says "SIKE" and then it turns off cold again! I believe it is because I am getting old, althought I am not that old, but I do not appreciate the winters as I once did. I wish it was in the 60's year round. I love spring and the new life that comes with it. It makes those harsh winters worth it. So, there are benefits to having the terribly cold weather! Right now, as I type, I am in North Carolina! The grass is green, trees are blooming, and the birds are singing. It is beautiful! I know that one day soon, that list will happen back home in old IL.

Being a single parent is......EXHAUSTING!

Back in January, Mr. J was asked to be on a team on a new project. It meant he would work A LOT and be in Chicago EVERY week!! He just finished his 5th week in Chicago and I feel I need a vacation to overcome the demands of being a single parent. I have come to realize there really isn't that much to be concerned about other then keeping the girls safe, teaching to share and be nice. I have enlisted them to help me around the house. They hang up their clothes, put their clothes in the dresser, make their beds, check the mail, etc. Miss L even wanted to make dinner one night. The meal of her choice...chicken nuggets, green beans, and pasta, of course. She did a really great job and had a HUGE smile on her face from her accomplishment! It was a moment of pride for me! Miss E can somehow since when I am down. She comes up behind me, puts her arms around my neck and says, "It's okay, Momma!"

The struggles and demands that have to be made while Mr. J is home, makes it worth it when he comes home at the end of every week. We know that this is only short term and there is an end in site.

Negative News

I recently missed IT and got really EXCITED!! "There's no way. It is too good to be true." I kept repeating to myself, while secretly wanting the news to be true. I had all the symptoms, or so I thought. But test after test said NO! I sucked it up and called the doctor. Getting really nervous that this might be it. Oh, the thoughts that ran through my head!! And then the news came, that it was in fact negative. I had blood work done this morning. And am now on a prescription to help IT come. The side effect to the prescription....MOODINESS! Well thank you, I didn't need help with that one. I am quit moody all on my own. Here's hoping the medicine works.