Lesson Learned

Colton: "Mommy, can I have a  new game for my iPod?"
Mommy: "I just bought you three new games."
Colton: "But I want another one."
Mommy: "When you learn to be happy with what you have, then you can have another one."

This was a lesson I had to teach my little boy this past weekend. No matter what I give him, he seems to always ask for more. He's extremely polite and sweet when he asks, too. It's hard to tell him no, but then again, it's annoying to constantly feel like the only time your children want to talk to you is to ask you for something. 

While cleaning the dining room table the other day after this little lesson, I had an epiphany. That was the lesson God had just taught me. 

Last year, I lost a wonderful job when my boss closed her business. I was very upset, but quickly found another job. At the time, it felt like a blessing, but it didn't take long for reality to set in. Within days, I knew this was not the place I wanted to be. I let everyone know that I was looking for another job. I downloaded every job search app I could find on my phone. Every day I would comb the wanted ads. For months, I was absolutely miserable. 

I came close, once. A part-time job as and interior designer came up with a local builder. The interview went well and it would pay well enough that I wouldn't have to work full-time. I was devastated when I didn't get it. That might well be the first job that I've interviewed for that I didn't get. 

My hope came with the thought that I knew this was only a temporary situation. Eventually though, I gave up my quest. It's exhausting to be so miserable. Things got better at work. So much better in fact that my boss made a comment one day that made me think. He said, "Now you're starting to think like me." That thought honestly scared me. There was nothing about this man that made me want to be like him. He isn't a bad person. Just now the kind of person I want to be like or work well with. But I had started to realize this job was a little more permanent than I thought and I had better just adjust my attitude. So much of this life is determined by attitude. I learned a long time ago that you either change your situation or change your attitude.

As things went on, I realized things weren't that bad. I didn't wake up dreading the day anymore. But I certainly didn't enjoy it either. Finances were not that good either. I started looking for a part-time job to help even things out. 

Then, it happened. Out of the blue. Not even looking for it. The job for which I had been waiting. The job that was everything I wanted. The hours were good, the pay was great, the people seemed nice and I would be a designer again working with antique furniture and fabrics all day. Pure heaven! 

I am proud to say that I have been the new interior designer at Specialists of the South for 3 weeks now. The people and atmosphere are wonderful to work in. Every day, I wake up glad to go to work at a job I love with a wonderful family to come home to.      

So back to Colton and the lesson he made me realize. In the middle of my every day life, I realized the lesson I was trying to teach Colton was the same lesson God had taught me. He has blessed us in so many ways this past year, that it is truly amazing. He gave us these emotions. He must understand what they feel like. We are his children and we are constantly asking for more and more. I thank God every for everything he has done for us and for keeping everyone safe. There is no harder prayer and praise that I give than the ones for keeping my family safe. But he must get tired of being asked for every little thing. We need to bask in the glory of all that he has given us and all that we have because of him so that we can be happy. Once we truly appreciate the things we have and things he has done, will we begin to understand his love. 

It can't be forced appreciation either. You know how children go off and pout a while when they don't get their way. Then they're back 10 minutes later asking for more again. It has to be a genuine appreciation and thanks. The kind that makes you forget you're lacking anything. 

Most of you who know me, know that I am reserved when it comes to my emotions. (Jesse thinks it's strange that my family and I don't say "I love you"!) While I am a little embarrassed to share such a personal story, I just feel like I need to share it. Plus, when I write, I don't have to face anyone, I can just write for myself- which is the easiest thing in the world for me. So I apologize now if I ever share too much information with y'all!

Well, it's past my bedtime and I think I've said about everything I wanted to say. I hope y'all enjoyed the Sunday school lesson. One of these times I'll have to tell ya about the lesson Ava taught me. It stills get me teary-eyed. Till then...

Love,

Sunshine

Takes a lickin', keeps on tickin.

Yes, we are still here and still alive. Barely! Sorry I haven't written lately, but things have been extremely hectic. 

Drum roll, please...

We are officially moved into our new house!

But things are far from settled. We weren't willing to sacrifice refrigerator space so Jesse cut out part of a wall to fit our new, big fridge into the space. This has led to the discovery that neither one of could make a living doing sheet rock work. Three coats of compound later, we give up. It'll have to do. Now I have to sand one more time, primer and paint. And when I sand, it get everywhere in the house. I mean everywhere- like inside the kitchen cabinets. The entire house needs cleaned again, from top to bottom. Ugh! But as soon as that's done, we can get the kitchen 100% done!

The babies' bathroom is pretty much done. All that's left is a new counter top and since our sink is rusted, we have to replace that. Our bathroom will have to wait for a while. No biggie. Just disappointed because I had our vanity and faucet and everything planned and picked out.

...drip...Now comes the super duper exciting part of organizing everything! ...drip...In case you didn't catch that, that last sentence is dripping with sarcasm. Although having an organized pantry and craft area will be a first in my life so that should feel good for a while. OOH! Jesse took the doors off one of the cabinets in the laudry closet and cut the bottom out. Then our friend painted the inside of the cabinet the same color as the wall. Jesse hung me a closet rod so that I can pull clothes right out of the dryer and put them on hangers. How cool is that? So cool that is makes me old! It's the little things in life. I bought the wood to make a shelf above the rod. It's gonna look good after it's all done. 

Colton and Ava are loving the new house and are adjusting well. We found out that Colton is actually too big for his toddler bed. His little feet hang over the edge. *Sigh* He's not a little baby anymore. So now I'm on the hunt for bunk beds. Of course I suggested to Jesse that we could just make some and he replied that his list was long enough already! Oh well. 

The day after we moved into the house, I started a new job. I love it! You're looking at the new designer for Specialists of the South. I get to pick out fabric for window treatments and upholstery and look at old furniture and antiques all day. It's a lot of fun and everyone I work with is super nice. Our family has been very blessed this year and I'm extremely grateful for all our blessings and the wonderful things happening in our lives. 

I'll try to update more often now that we're semi-settled. Maybe we'll get our computer out and actually use it this weekend. We'll see. :)

Love,

Sunshine