1. Thanks to a brilliant idea from Emily I decided to teach the boys an important lesson about money.  I wanted to emphasize keeping some and giving some.  Hence these 3 little jars were born.  When each child accomplishes a task we ask them {helping fold laundry, cleaning up, putting away our shoe pile, etc.} they earn anywhere from .25 to $1.00.  They can either decide to keep all of it, give it all away, or keep some and give some.  So far this has been very effective and the boys are always so happy to give their donations to our church on Sunday.

2. Our oldest is in first grade and this week homework officially started.  I was honestly bracing myself for.the.worst.  I have the most dreadful memories of doing homework-even in elementary school.  I have tried to make sure his “homework time” is as stress-free and noise free as possible.  Usually this means homework is done after dinner, after the baby is already asleep for the night, and after bath time.  Usually it’s around 6:30-7pm in our house.  So far so good {two days in haha!}

3. I started an intimate bible study with one of my girlfriends.  I’ve only ever done one other bible study and that was about 2 years ago with a large group of women.  I’ve wanted and longed to do more but they have never fit into my full time working, 3 kids with activity,schedule.  It’s just the two of us and so far it is working great because we are so comfortable with one another that it is allowing us to be really open and sincere with our feelings and thoughts on what we are studying!

4. Our oldest also had his first math test at school this week and got an 8/9 which is amazing!  I always struggled at math and he seems to really excel and enjoy the subject which I am so.thankful.for.   It’s really interesting to see how our children develop as they grow older.  What subjects they enjoy, will excel at, struggle with, who they become friends with, how they treat their siblings, etc.

5. Our middle son is adjusting to pre-k extremely well and for this I am grateful too!  He is out little introvert.  You know the slow-to-warm up child?  Well Ayden is our VERY slow-to-warm up child.  Like it could take him 2 hours to warm up lol!  But so far this year he has made friends, plays with kids on the playground, and has even requested a few play dates with children in his class.  He is maturing and growing up right before our eyes and I am just in awe of it all.

6. The baby has been teething. Not like up all night teething, but snotty nose, cranky as long as he’s awake teething, going through three shirts a day teething.  This poor baby has got so many boogers and baba {saliva in spanish lol}that I can’t keep up with it most days-ahhhh the joys of motherhood 🙂

I guess that about wraps it up for now.
What’s happening in your life lately?

I’m sure you know about my story, if not you can read all about it here.
Well today I received some not-so-happy news from my Occupational Therapist.
I’m moving along quite nicely in physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Next up is driving.
I haven’t driven since the morning of July 24.
Before I can be cleared for driving I have to pass their pre-driving evaluation and then take the road test at the DMV.
That’s right.
The same road test I once took as a high school senior, on the verge of turning 18 I have to take…again!
{Bummer}
So today when Mr. Three picked me up from OT I got into the car with my head hanging low.
Immediately he knew something was bothering me.
Finally I broke down.
I told him the news I had just gotten.
That he would be driving me around for a much longer time than I anticipated.
That getting myself back to driving wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought.
That it would require me to pass test after test {and hopefully pass said tests}.
That the guilt I was having for not being able to do what I once was would be hanging around for a while longer.
That he would continue to have to work 6 days a week.
That none of the driving tests/examines/etc are covered by insurance and we would have to pay out of pocket  moving forward.
{Bummer}
After looking at him with tears in my eyes because I have already been out of work for almost 2 months he said to me, “We’ll be okay.”
He told me this will be more time off that I get to enjoy with him and our Little 3’s 🙂
I love that he always find the joy in every situation.
I would never have expected this process to be so emotional.
But it has been.
One day can hold so many ups and downs, highs and lows.
I feel like an emotionally unstable pregnant lady {no offense, I’ve been there 3x’s}
 The  frustration and feelings of defeat have been the worst part.
When we become Momma’s we strap on that invisible Momma cape that makes us feel like we can conquer the world and nothing can hold us down.
After all did anything hold down our Momma’s?
This momma is being held down- and I don’t like it!
In fact I remember being in ICU the day after my stroke and thinking to myself, “Oh I’ll be back to work in two weeks.  I won’t be needing this disability paperwork for only missing two weeks of work.”
Ha, little did I know…
But as frustrating as this whole process has been, especially when I feel like I am about to turn a corner and then am blindsided by a road block I know this too shall pass.
I know I have my husband, my family, and my faith.
I know there is a reason for all things.
That He has a plan already worked out for us, all of us.
I know that this is a drop in the bucket compared to what I am really here to accomplish.
Instead if saying {BUMMER} I’m saying {BE STILL}.

“Be Still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

I’m telling myself that He knows my plans.
Oh, does He know them!
I am telling myself to BE STILL through the hard times…
and to remember to lean into Him during these times.
I know this hasn’t been the easiest road, but I know at the end of this long, winding, dark, scary road it will all be worth it.