Epiphany of the Man

Jeremy sat me down the other day and said, "Honey, I think I finally get what it's like for you to be home with the kids all day".  I looked at him a bit in disbelief and, as if reading my mind, he continued.

"When I was working all day, I got to leave the house and get away from the kids.  Even though I was still working, I had some variety at least.  Sure, I  had to come home everyday and do my work at home, but I didn't have to do it 24/7".

I looked at him again with tears in my eyes, I think he actually gets it, I thought.

"So, I've decided that you need to have girls nights out or whatever you need and I will take time during the day for myself to go hit some balls or something.  We both need time away from the kids."

Wow.  That is all I can say, wow.

I have been struggling with this since I became a Mother, almost 8 years ago.  It just took him losing his job for 3 months for him to finally get it!

Husband losing his job = SUCKTASTIC

Husband being home everyday to help you with things = Less Sucktastic


Husband FINALLY understanding what it is like to be you = Awesome.

Operation Birthday

When Jeremy lost his job, I knew that my grand plans for Libby's birthday (a new doll, a barbie and some dress up shoes) just wasn't going to happen.  So, I took it upon myself to be oh so thrifty and do her birthday for FREE.  That's right friends, her gifts cost me NOTHING this year and I loved it.

Here's how it works.  First, look around your house and find things that no one plays with anymore.  Talk to your older children and see if they want to give said items to their darling baby sister.

Example:

"Seth, can I take your chair and put new fabric on it to give to Libby for her birthday?"

"Sure Mom, I don't really sit in it anymore".

That is really big.  He agreed and told me why he agreed.  I let him help me pick out the fabric from my sewing room and I got to work.

Seth's beloved little chair he got for his 1st birthday. 

Taking out 15,000 staples

Putting in another 15,000 staples

A brand new chair for Miss Libby.

Once the kids realized what I was doing, they were really excited to find more things to give to Libby.  Seth has this doll, Max.  He got Max when he was 15 months old.  I got him this doll to help him get ready for us to have a baby in our house.  He and Max quickly became inseparable.  He took Max with us everywhere we went.  Max has always been the favorite baby of anyone who comes to our house, including Amelia and Libby.

Seth nursing Max, July 2006 (he was 2)

Seth decided that he wanted to give Max to Libby for her birthday.  When I told my Mom this, she said "Wow! That is big!".  So we washed Max up, hung him on the line to dry, and put him in a sweet little bag for Miss Liberty. 

Amelia wanted to get in on the action too, so she found a little airplane that she just knew Libby would love and chose the wrapping paper for us to wrap it in.  She was so excited watching Libby open it this morning.

Lib's last gift was a piano.  This was a piano that Amelia got for her 1st birthday.  The keys had come off and the top needed a new dowel and to be glued on.  It has been sitting in Jeremy's closet for 6 months, at least.  Jeremy got it out, cleaned it up, fixed it and gave it to Libby.

Libby is in Heaven.  Sitting in her new chair, with her piano and doll and airplane in her bag (under her arm)

She was thrilled.  And it didn't cost us a dime.  More importantly, my children learned what it really means to give, and they loved it.

I encourage you to try to do a free birthday for one of your kids.  I am so glad I did and so is she.

Tender Mercies

"I need to freeze my gym membership.  My husband lost his job and I just can't afford it right now"

"Ok, it will cost $20 to freeze and then when you unfreeze it you will be at whatever the current rate is".

"oh. ok. i guess i'll just cancel it then. i don't have $20 right now. and if i can't keep my same rate, then it's not worth it to freeze".

"Ok, let me go get the Manager"

"You want to cancel? Why, you've been doing so good!"

"I know, my husband lost his job and I can't afford an extra $20 right now and if I am going to lose my great rate then I may as well just cancel my membership"

"Sometimes we make exeptions.  Let me talk to the gym Owner and call you later, ok?"

"Ok. Thanks".

Later.....

"Hello?"

"Hi Kim, it's ______ from the Gym"

"Oh, hi."

"I spoke with the owner and we decided to go ahead and freeze your  membership, but we want you to still come in.  It is really important you don't stop exercising, so come in and you won't be charged anything."

"Seriously??  Oh my gosh, thank you so much."

"No problem.  See you soon."
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It's not a job for Jeremy, it is not even money in our pockets, but it is big - to me.  It is the ability to continue working on myself.  It is Tender Mercies of the Lord.  He knows our struggles and helps provide a way when we really need it.  And I am oh so grateful.

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Piper shared this video and it really touched me.  The little girl reminds me so much of my Amelia and the words to the song...just beautiful.  Oh how I love Mindy Gledhill.  As soon as I have extra cash, I am buying this CD.  I bet you will want to also.

What Do You Do?

What do you do in your first full week of unemployment?

Why tear apart the kitchen of course!

Jeremy spends the day going between researching companies he might want to work for and helping me tear apart the kitchen. 

We are doing what we've always wanted to do, painting the cabinets, painting the walls, putting in a new countertop, sink, stove and microwave hood.  

All so we can sell this house we love so much.

I just pray that it sells quickly and easily to a family that will love it as much as we do.