And so it goes…

God is good all the time and all the time, God is good.  So no matter what happens, what difficulty you may be facing, what challenge has been set before you, what mountain you have in front of you in your journey, that statement is true. 

This too shall pass. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger (so the song goes). You have heard all the phrases that people say when they know someone is facing a difficult time in her life. And yes, the phrases are true. But from experience, do they make you feel any better about your situation?

Probably not.  But you can rest assured that whatever you are facing – it will pass with time and you will get through it. And during that time – you must use caution, wisdom, and previous experiences to make good decisions in the middle of this crisis. Pray about it, people.

In other words – just because those “phrases” don’t make you feel better, don’t act upon what you “feel” (and your emotions that come with those feelings) but act upon what you “will,” as my boss would say.  Because during the difficulties, it is your feelings and how you “react” to those feelings (or lack of feelings) that will get you in trouble down the road – when further consequences play out and you have to contend with them.

So what am I saying exactly? Well I am going through one of those difficult seasons in my journey.  And  during this time I am finding these few things to be truth:

• God is real.
• God is good.
• You can’t always trust your feelings, but you can always trust God and His Word.
• You should make decisions based upon the outcomes you want to have in life instead of “reacting” to the current situation.
• I like wearing heels, I love chocolate chip cookies, I love the immeasurable soft feeling of my new furry slippers when I put them on in the evening (thanks LoveSac.com), and I love watching my daughter play her soccer games. (Not necessarily all at the same time nor in that order, mind you.)

And there you have it. In a nutshell, what I have been learning over the past few weeks.

…and so it goes…

P.S. As a short word for LoveSac.com, a recent sponsor, let me also point you to their sactionals department. If these customized basic pieces that make up endless combinations of comfy furniture feel anything like their furry slippers… you will be sitting in nothing less than the epitome of comfort in their cozy and relaxing sectional sofas.

It’s already the middle of January?

I have pictures to post on my blog from our Christmas celebration, I really do.  I look at recent posts and I realize – time is flying by…faster and faster. It seems that only Facebook has seen posts from me lately, so I have been thinking – I want to get back to my blog. I miss it.

Most likely my readership will have to be rebuilt and my page ranking, but that’s not what my blog was ever about anyway.  Not really.  I love blogging, remember?  At least when I had time to blog, I did.  Looking back at my posts, I see many favorites and it gives me the itch to start this up again…more frequently.

So let’s hear from you.  Anybody still out there? Anyone…Anyone… (I’m hearing crickets ) Do you even want to keep up with this “Solo DOT mom’s” life – even through the lens of a thumbnail view?

Waiting

As Jas and I sit at the urgent care clinic to get his ear checked out,  we both sit with our tech devices in full swing.  I decided to look for the blogger app so I could possibly post for my readers and I found it!

Being a single mom is full of challenges and those challenges change as the children age. Tonight would have required bringing both children, one well, into an environment with germs and other niceties when they were younger. Now that i'm dealing with teens (Kass is just two weeks from it being official) I can leave one to tend to herself while escorting the other to be seen for treatment.

That doesn't mean the other challenges aren't just as difficult; in some ways they are more complex. But for this moment in time I can appreciate the difference. Come later tonight or tomorrow morning, it may be a different story.

Now we are into a room, but still waiting for a doctor, or at least one in training, to determine if Jas has an ear infection or if he's just been sniffing his runny nose back into his head too much.  But at least his hypochondriac will be put at ease.

Watch for updates over my twitterfeed.

One boyfriend, one curfew, one text message at a time

While the debate is on in the background, I wanted to sit down and finally f.i.n.a.l.l.y. write another blog.  I have so much to share with my readers, but I will spare you the boring and only share the highlights.

The kiddos

Jas and Kass, the kiddos… I now refer to them in public as “the bigguns.”  They are growing up so fast I can’t keep up; and I am with them every day. (Well almost every day. But I digress <= already!)

Kass has a boyfriend. Seriously you don’t want me to get started on that point.  Trust me when I say, I am just going to leave it at that. And yes, she now has the “worst mother ever” because of the guidelines I have instructed about me being “in-the-know” regarding their conversations and “text messages.” (Can I just skip this part of her life and do a fast forward?!) Sadly if I did – she would be out of college and married after that blink.  Let the roller coaster ride begin, then.

Jas went to his homecoming dance. (Yes, can you believe a formal dance!) And he dressed for it: I have pictures to prove it. He is talking more and more about college plans, taking PSAT tests and I am still reminding him he needs to start applying for those ever lovely scholarships.  Can you believe I will be getting his senior portraits done in just 8 months?! Yeah, I need to stop before I hyperventilate.

The House/Move

Not sure if and/or when we will be moving/selling the house.  That seems to be in an “on hold” mode right now.  But with recent home improvement projects and “other” improvements on the list, we are still enjoying the process of making this one just like we want it.  My kiddos love living here.

Goals

I have been working on creating my goals for the next 5 years and trying to simplify exactly what that means from finances to my children’s spiritual growth.  One thing I do realize more and more each day is this parenting thing is tough.  Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s easy (even with two parents partnering together in one house). It gets tougher as they mature into these ‘tweens’ and teens; and sometimes I have to step back and ask God, “Can I do this?” Then I am reminded, “I can do all things, through Christ…” even when I feel like pulling my hair out.

Interjection here… I am watching the debate and it’s almost comical as they deliberate about “apples and oranges” for this 9-9-9 plan on the taxes.  That is all.

But in the meantime…day by day…

As I prepare for those goals and discuss my kiddos’ (the bigguns’) futures with them, we continue pressing on each day-- one at a time: one hairdo, one curfew, one text message, one XBox match, one girl scout session, one church service, one grade, one boyfriend, at-a-time.

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