Keep Dancing

Some of you know what my job is because I go to church with you and I work on Sundays at church.  For those of you that don't - I work on Sundays at my church.   My job is to work with an amazing team of volunteers that are there to make our church the welcoming and warm place that it is.  It may look like we are just parking cars and handing out bulletins when in fact, we are so much more!

There is a lot to remember, a lot to do and the day just flies by as I work with the different teams, welcome guests and spend time with volunteers.   It is an energizing day for me actually.  

I have to admit something, though -  just between you and me. 

I often feel like I didn't do enough.   Sometimes I even feel like I failed at my job.  I look back on the day and I think, "I could have done that better." Or "I missed that!"

It didn't really occur to me that I thought this way until I was having a conversation with my B.  She's getting ready for a talent show and has choreographed a 3 minute dance routine.   She dances all the time and is in several recitals a year.   She's a pro! 

Anyway, she was rehearsing for me and after she finished she became very critical of her performance.  She was saying things like, "I could have done that better."  And,  "I missed that!"

It hurts me because all I see is this amazing dance!  I don't even notice the one thing she missed or the move that she needs to work on.  I see my beautiful child who prepared for and remembered 3 minutes of choreographed moves! I am almost always moved to tears as I watch her dance. Even when she was just 3 years old!   She has grown into this beautiful young dancer who finds so much pleasure in doing it.

You know, I'm pretty sure God feels the same way about me on a Sunday.  I bet he doesn't even notice the things I missed or could have done better.  I'll bet he is so excited at how I prepare and dance through the whole day.

It probably hurts him to hear me criticize myself so much.  And when you get right down to it -  I'm focusing on my own performance and not Him.  I'm pretty sure that's a little thing called Pride.  It comes in  many forms doesn't it?

2010 Blog Recap

This thing still on?
Yes, I'm actually blogging. My keyboard keys are a little rusty even but here I go.

While I don't see myself blogging on a daily basis anymore,  I did want to recap my 2010. I like to reflect on the year past as a way to grow from it.   I also think the blog recap at Musings of a Housewife is fun and I have the day off so...here goes.

The first post of each month of 2010 and the first line of that post.   It is also linked up if you want to click over on that post. 

January -One Word
sur⋅ren⋅der
–verb (used with object)

1.

to yield (something) to the possession or power of another

Oh, this is where I pick my word of the year.  It was truly a year of surrendering.  Over and over.  And it was not easy.  I hate to be a downer but sometimes yielding to where God is leading you is just hard.  It took (and continues) more faith than I knew I even had.   I'll be doing this again soon with my word for 2011.


February - Complaining -What I Learned This Week
I wrote a bit bout complaining this past Sunday.

Still struggle with this.  Maybe my personality lends itself to always struggle with this.  This post really follows another post that is linked up there.   This was good to reflect on for sure. 

March - Duke Basketball Game

Whenever I tell someone (mostly men) where I live, I am often asked the question of which college team I show my allegiance to.

Oh this was fun!  Someone gave us tickets to a Duke Basketball game.  Great photos here! 


Oh and because I just can't resist - on March 3 we learned that our baby was going to be a BOY!



April - Oh Glorious Day!  
Just a video of a Casting Crowns song that I love.  Worth listening to.  :)


May - Freedom
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.    - Romans 8:1


Just a Sunday Word post.   But a cornerstone of my faith for sure.



June - Same Always
I have to say that there has just been so much change in my life lately, I don't even know how to begin blogging about it.

It seems that this time of the year was really the beginning of me not blogging on a regular basis.  This is a pretty good explanation of why and this was before the Baby T was even born.   My life is very different now.  No longer a full-time stay at home mom.  Mom to 3.   The change has been both so awesome (baby and job) and at times so challenging.   Good thing one thing never changes.



July - Happy July 4th!
Normally, we are at the beach over the 4th.

Oh, here are some fun pictures.  Boy it was hot this summer.  And this is just one more reminder that I did not get to go to the beach with my family this year.  :(



August -Welcome Sweet Baby Boy!
What more can I say?  Our Baby T was born on July 30.  Here are the first pictures of him.  He's changed our life in amazing and beautiful ways.  What a gift.

September - Life in Full Swing.  How do you Manage?
Life is in full swing here..

Full swing is just an understatement.  Still looking for ideas on how to efficiently manage my life.   I'm starting to get a hold on it but I have to say that I've been busier than I've ever been in my life.  Full of awesome activities, friends and family - but WHEW!

October - Thankful for Today, Hope for Tomorrow
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

It's good to look back on this last year and see many of my posts were focused on scripture.  It's hard to look back on this last year and know that I was clinging on to them for dear life some days.  God is so faithful, y'all.

November - Mercy
Another Casting Crowns song.   And the only post of November.
It's a great album, by the way.  Probably my anthem album for 2010 - Until the Whole World Hears.

December - 2010 Recap.
This is it.  The only post in December.  Wow.

I am looking forward to posting some new photos and updating my friends and family with the blog this year.  I do like to archive my life this way since I don't scrapbook anymore.  Eventually, I'd like to take my favorite posts and even make them into a book for my family to enjoy one day.  I expect my writing will be few and far between.  Life is just too busy.  I've got a couple drafts I'd like to finish up and publish.   We'll see.

I hope you have an awesome New Year's Eve and had a very Merry Christmas!

Life in Full Swing, How Do You Manage?

Life is in full swing here...


 Some updates on the Dandelion Dayz household - other than the fact that we have a new baby!  :)

The kids have started back to school and all activities.   Whew, B's dance schedule just might do me in this year.  Since she made the dance company (YAY!) she we have a lot more to do.  She does have an additional class and many opportunities to dance.   Which means many opportunities for me to volunteer. And of course driving back and forth.  I am very excited to see how she grows in her dance, though.  She loves it so much that I love it, too!

Bubby started back to Tae Kwon Do and is loving that.  He's training for his Orange belt.  He's had a rough start to first grade but I think we are doing great now.   A lot happened in August - new baby and first grade is big stuff for my sweet six year old boy. 

I'm so glad we took the month of July off  = NO ACTIVITIES.   Although, I seriously could barely move to take them to the activities.  I was SO pregnant and SO miserable.    I read a blog recently where the writer was kind of condemning a woman making the choice to be induced because she was uncomfortable.  Walk a day in my shoes, sister - that's all I have to say.  Come to think of it, I could barely even wear shoes because of my feet being so swollen!  It was difficult to take my kids to the pool and that was the coolest activity outside of our home that I could manage.  I think that my decision to be induced a week early was the best thing I could have done for the rest of my family.  I am slowly starting to feel like my normal self again. 

I head back to work in a week.  Sigh.  I have mixed emotions about that.  Maybe another post for another time. 

Hubby has been soooo busy with our business.  That is a good thing for sure as the economy has affected us.  So, while his time away from home is not good, the income is.   We are blessed to have income when so many don't.    I think he thinks I don't appreciate that he works so hard - well, let me state here on this blog that I do.  

Starting back to Awana and Y-Guides next week, piano lessons are on and basketball in another month.  With a new baby.   Not to mention our busy church life.   All which I LOVE so much. 

Whew.  I can't even think of all of that without getting a little overwhelmed.  I have to take it day by day.

Tell me - how do you do it all?  What is the one thing that saves you time and helps you manage your busy family the best?  I'd LOVE to know. 

Same Always

Wow- I just can't believe it's been two weeks since I posted.  In my almost 3 years of blogging, I have never gone that long without a blog post!     (So, sorry BlogHer - thanks for the gentle reminder.)

I have to say that there has just been so much change in my life lately, I don't even know how to begin blogging about it.  And that is without the baby actually being born!  I can't imagine what it's going to be like in just a few short weeks.    I am guessing I'll have plenty of blog fodder with my new little bundle of joy around. 

The job has been the biggest change.   I admit that it's been bigger than what I thought it would be.  I'm loving it but it's definitely been crazy.    Adjusting to my new schedule, being in a very busy working environment and trying to keep my head from spinning with all the new things I'm learning do have me feeling overwhelmed some days.    On top of that, being pregnant, tired, hormonal and managing a family have honestly been some of the biggest personal challenges I've ever had to face.


With all the change in my life, it's comforting to know that one thing never changes.

It's a really simple part of our Christian faith - something that is hard to remember but incredibly comforting when everything else seems to spin out of control.

Jesus never changes.

The bible tells me so in Hebrews 13:8.  It's right there. 

God is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow. We can always count on it.

What else in this life can you count on like that? 

I gotta tell you - it's what gets me through the day, y'all.   

Bring Home the Bacon and Fry It Up In a Pan

Bacon is really a treat around here.  But we do eat it!  As a matter of fact, we have been able to find bacon without Nitrates at both Whole Foods and our local grocery store (Hormel Brand) and that makes me feel a lot better about eating bacon on occasion.

Okay, Bacon is soooo not the point of this post!  I guess not posting on a regular basis has it's consequences.


I promised weeks ago a little update on my new job.  So, why does a stay at home mom of 10 years suddenly go back to work part-time?  Well, I'm sure the reasons are many for other women.  Here are mine. 


I love the job, by the way. 

Last year, a few things happened that caused me to seek part time work.

• My youngest started Kindergarten.
• The Recession.
• I was slightly depressed - feeling a little bit lost.  I suspect moms with kids all in school for the first time often feel like this for awhile.  I had been at home for 10 years with my babies.  My focus was entirely on taking care of their needs.   And while I still had plenty to do, I felt myself seeking something that was all mine.  Something outside of my ordinary life. 

Not that my ordinary life was bad.  Because it wasn't.  It's not.  I am truly blessed with this awesome little life of mine.    I think we have to be content with the ordinary sometimes - that is what this blog has always been about - Celebrating the ordinary.   I have another post in the works about this, by the way.   

Focus, Janel!

So,  last Fall I started applying for jobs:  Nothing much - grocery stores, my gym, make-up company.  NOTHING panned out and it was discouraging.  When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself, "Oh, this is the plan for me right now."    When the morning sickness settled in, I was truly glad I did not have a commitment to a new job.

One day, while surfing my church classifieds for bunkbeds for my son, I came across a posting for a part-time job at my church.   It was the first day of this posting.  I read it and felt a stir inside that was, well, undeniable.

I closed the posting and walked away.

I came back an hour or so later to open it up again.  Then I called Hubby so he could talk me out of anything I was about to do.   He said, "I think you would be perfect for that job."

What?!?  That is not what I wanted him to say.  I wanted him to tell me that I was pregnant and had two other kids to take care of, not to mention a very busy husband!  I wanted him to tell me there was no way I could do the job.

But he didn't.  He encouraged me to follow the prompting and send in my resume.

Resume!?!?!? I didn't even have one of those.  How do I write one?  What do I say?  Stay at Home Mom for 10 years?  While we all know that job is one of the hardest of all, I did not even know how to begin explaining it in the form of a resume.  I could list my almost 3 year attempt at being a Mom Blogger?  I'm good at being social.  That's gotta count for something, right?

Actually, in this case it does. 

Think think my brain went.  I felt a huge sense of urgency to get this resume in for some reason.

Ministry.   That is where I would start...

The one constant thing I have done for the last 6 years, outside of caring for my family, is take a very active part in ministry.    Specifically, leading in some capacity.

It's funny I should even be doing that.   If you knew me in my teens or twenties, I can promise you that the thought of me leading any kind of ministry would not be what came to your mind. Not to mention, I'm not naturally organized or administrative in the typical fashion.  God can do amazing things through a willing heart.  Oh, yes he can.

So, that is what I made my resume about.  My time serving in the various ministries I did and my responsibilities there.    They were very often like a part-time jobs.    I listed the gifts God has revealed to me.

• I actually love people and seek to be among them.
• I have a huge heart for people that are lost in life.  Those that need community.
• I can capture vision and cast it for others.
• I work great under pressure.
• I communicate easily with people.
• I tend to be able to motivate people and seek out other potential leaders.

I don't know that I possess all these gifts in all areas of my life.  But when it comes to serving God,  I'm told I do.    He equips the called, y'all.  That's all I'm sayin'.


I sent the resume in about two hours after I first saw the posting without consulting anyone but my husband and God.   I fully expected a reply telling me I was not qualified.

Except that didn't happen.  I was called in for an interview.  Some observation of the job.  Emails.  Another interview.

After about a month, I knew I wanted the job - after much prayer and discussion with trusted friends.   What I finally got through was all the fear holding me back and started to get excited about the position.   It was only then that the job was offered to me.    Because this position was not one where ambivalence was beneficial.  Passion and excitement were necessary.   

What's the job?  First Impressions Coordinator at my local campus.  Our church just started launching multi-sites and the one in my little town of Holly Springs is the first.  We are growing so fast!!!   So, my job is to coordinate, organize, motivate and encourage volunteers that work on our First Impressions team.  That includes the people that direct people where to go in the parking lot, greeters and guides, ushers and the coffee bar/food team.   I have A LOT of help and work closely with two amazing women at our Raleigh Campus.   I think between both campuses we have over 500 volunteers!   Anyone who has been to our church can tell you that welcoming people is something we do RIGHT ON. 

The job is part time and works well with my kids schedule.   I'm home before they get off the bus and have days I can still be in their classrooms.   They have a nursery on site so I can take the baby with me to work when he is born.  Love that!   I have flexibility and love being around the staff at my church.  I have a fun church, people.  Fun and crazy. 

What about those fears?  Yeah.  What if my kids miss me?  What will I do with them during track-out?  What if I can't do it all?  Will the baby nap as well away from his own crib?  What if I don't get the laundry done?  Okay, I never got the laundry done anyway.    Here is a biggie...What if I fail?

Yeah, what if? 

I'm learning from other working moms that you just take it day by day.   And that's working just fine.    Don't get me wrong.  This month has got to be the busiest month I have experienced as a mom and wife and now working woman.  

I feel energized, though.  Happy.  Fulfilled.  Organized.  I've even been better about keeping up with that laundry because I don't have time to procrastinate.   Having a job actually helps to make me less of a procrastinator and THAT is a good thing. 

My kids and hubby?  They are so fine!  They actually don't even seem to notice.  And when I'm home I actually focus on them more.    I think before I just thought I had all the time in the world to hang out with them and now I know each moment is precious so to make the most of them.    The kids loved the track-out camp I had them in this week.  

Am I tired?  Um, yeah.  But I'm also 6 months pregnant.   And who isn't some degree of tired anyway?  

So, what did I give up? 

• Shopping - this is actually a good thing.
• Lunches out with my girlfriends whenever I want   :(
• My dogs having me home all day
• Ultimate flexibility to be whereever, whenever
• TV
• Staying up late blogging and facebooking
• Sleeping in
• Hanging out with my kids all week during a track out.  :(

But we are adjusting.  It's all good.  For today.   Just for today is how we roll around here, though.


If you work outside the home, I'd love to know your best tip on managing it all.