Today was a big day for me. I sent my “leave of absence” notification to the transcription place I work for. I have enjoyed the benefits of working from home for the past 5 years with this company. I could not have asked for a better situation to be in being a mom and a wife. It allowed me to be a full-time mom and still make a very decent salary on the side.

But now that Tanner is on his way we have decided that it’s finally time for my focus to be solely on our children and our family. I am thrilled. I will admit that it felt very odd sending that notification today. I’ve always had a job. I’ve always contributed to the family income. I worked very hard to get to where I could work from home full-time. It’s definitely not an overnight accomplishment. I am proud of myself for having a plan and seeing it through. It’s benefited our family in many ways.

But I realize that I’m going to be entering a new chapter in my life. Yes, I’m already a mom, but I am a mom of one. A mom of two will be a new thing. It’ll be a balancing act. =) I realize that my purpose right now, in this time of my life is to first and foremost be a wife and a mother. Those roles are highly regarded in the Bible and I feel very priviledged to be called those things. My husband is an amazing man whom I love with all of my heart. He has an amazing work ethic that God has favored. He is able to work from home full-time too! Through God’s blessings, I am able to stop working my little side job and we can rely totally on God and one income. We’ve been planning this for awhile and the Lord has helped us along the way.

So today I said “good-bye” to a part of my life that I’ve enjoyed most times and really disliked at times too. I know my self worth is not in what type of job I have. Because aside from the two best “jobs” in the world (wife & mom) what else could I possibly wish for? I am embracing this new chapter with open arms. I know the Lord is my keeper and will continue to bless our life and honor and show favor upon us as our focus continues to be on our family and what’s best for us.

I say it a lot but I am so blessed and I feel God’s loving hand in my life so strongly! I am forever grateful for what I’ve been given and, with God’s help, I will continue to be the wife and mom that I know I am called to be…blessed.

On Friday, April 25, 2008, our little guy turned three!! It’s crazy to think that it’s been three years since we welcomed him into our family. Time goes so quickly. We had the best day celebrating his little life and the blessing we have been given in our son. Evan slept in late and came downstairs to the breakfast table decorated with balloons, party hats and a few presents (a new red cape with a lightening bolt on the back, a Bible and a card from Mommy & Daddy) at his place setting. In the center of the table was his new pet, a beta fish, whom he decided to call Mr. Fishy. =)

I made a pancake breakfast for all of us (his included 3 candles to blow out!) and then we headed out to the state park for a picnic and some fun outdoors. We ate fried chicken, cole slaw, yogurt, grapes and bananas for lunch. In the park was a little stream where Evan really enjoyed finding rocks and throwing them in to see the splash! they make in the water. We stayed at the park for a couple of hours and it was awesome. The sun was shining brightly and it was the perfect way to spend the afternoon with the birthday boy. He was in his element outdoors.

Then on Saturday, the 26th, all of the family came over for a party to celebrate Evan. We had it outdoors for the first time. It was a little windy but it was still nice to be outside. The theme was Buzz Lightyear. Evan loves “to infinity and beyond!” We had pizza, salad, chips and fruit kabobs. I made a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting (Evan picked out his own cake) and decorated it with a Buzz LIghtyear action figure and a Woody from Toy Story action figure too. The cake said, “Happy 3rd Birthday, Evan!” Evan had been talking about this birthday party months before it actually arrived. He even sang the Happy Birthday song to himself. Then he’d pretend to blow out his candles. It was the cutest thing ever. So he really, really enjoyed the family singing the birthday song to him on Saturday and he loved blowing out his candles! And of course he enjoyed opening all the great presents. All in all, it was a birthday to remember…

In a way, I was sad to see him turn three. I know watching your child/children grow is a bittersweet thing. I never want to hold Evan back from anything. But in my heart I feel little twinges of pain seeing him grow so quickly. I worry that I won’t remember all of his sweet, innocent little quirks or the adorable things he says or the silly way he acts sometimes. I try and savor as many moments as I can with him because I know how fast time passes.

I love being a mom. It’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I am blessed to be called “Mommy” by my sweet boy. And in 10 weeks time we are lucky enough to be welcoming another sweet little boy into our family! God is so good to me. My life is so full and it’s all because of Him!

The other day I took Evan to For the Love of Children and while he was playing I met a woman who was a retired teacher. She taught for 30 years. We got to talking about her grandchildren and then about Evan and she asked what school he’d be attending when he was of age to start school. I told her that we were going to homeschool our children. She was so encouraging and kept saying how wonderful it was going to be for our children to be homeschooled. I was surprised she was saying this! After all, she was a retired public school teacher. She continued to tell me all of the less than grand things that are going on in public schools. It was very disheartening to hear. But on one hand it made me even more confident in the choice we have made to homeschool our children. I almost feel as if the Lord brought this woman to me just to encourage me in this decision we have made. I feel blessed and I know homeschooling will be a huge blessing to our children!

Tonight, as I was dressing Evan after his bath he hugged me and said, “I love you, Mommy.” This is a moment in motherhood that literally melted my heart! I had tears in my eyes and I was overwhelmed at the love I have for my son. To hear him say those words without any prompting is indescribable. I am so blessed to be a mommy!!!