A Leap of FAITH!

OK. Imagine putting a blindfold on. Do you see it completely dark? Now, follow my voice and continue taking large steps closer and closer. As you take each step, you desperately reach your hands out to feel in front of you to try to make your steps safer. You slowly point out your foot and consciously feel for strong footing before you put your weight down. You don't know where you are going. You don't know how far you have gone. You just continue to follow that voice.

Sometimes, that is exactly what we have to do in our lives. God just completely takes control. For a moment, we may not know where is taking us or why. It's really difficult to relinquish that control...and let Him guide us. We still may be cautious and put our hands out because we are hesitant, but we go step by step following Him where He is leading.

Well, that is what has been happening in my life. As most of you that know me or read the blog, you know that I have control issues. I know it. I can admit it. I like to do things my way. I like to plan. However, over the last few weeks, it has felt like I have been blindfolded and God is leading me step by step.

I have gone back and forth this summer about going back to work part time. Next year would probably work better because both of my girls would be in school, but God had other plans. As you know, we decided not to re-enroll LaLa in the private preschool she was at after K3. Our plan was for me to homeschool her. I had our "learning spot" set up in my office/craft room. I had ordered all of the K4 curriculum. I had the year mapped out with the themes and units. We actually started some of the curriculum over the summer because she loves doing "school work". We were ready and all set with our plan!

A few weeks ago (3 or 4...actually), I actually noticed that a wonderful, local private, Christian school was hiring a part time teacher. Here is the catch...it was a music position. I considered applying for it...because it was part time. I printed out the application, talked to a couple people, and never went any further because of several reasons. Well, I love kids and I love singing and such...but I am definitely not a music teacher. Also, several days later, the position changed to full time. See, I knew that wasn't for me is exactly what I told my husband. I forgot all about my thoughts on going back part time and engrossed myself in my summer projects and Little Bit's birthday party.

Well, several days later, a friend called me and said she had found the PERFECT job for me. I laughed and asked what in the world it was!?! She replied that it was a part time job for a Learning Lab Instructor. I was thinking, "what in the world is a learning lab?!" and "No schools have part time right now. Who in the world is posting a part time job?!" You'll never believe it. It was the SAME school that I had looked at the week before. Remember, the application I had printed off, and never finished? Consequently, I emailed a friend that worked at the school to see what the Learning Lab was exactly. It was described as a place that struggling students could go for extra academic support. Eventually, they hope that it will encompass enrichment for students that need enrichment as well.

I couldn't believe it. I have had the opportunity to work with students with special needs and gifted students. These two groups of students are each special and need unique support to meet their needs. Both of these groups are also often the children that fall through the cracks in a regular education classroom. This is where my passion is. This is where my dissertation focused. Once I heard more information about the program, I realized that not only was this job perfect. It was a dream job and a great opportunity.

Within a week from hearing about the job, I completed my application, interviewed, and began working. The environment is incredible! Everyone is so friendly, sincere, and Christ focused. We decided that since I would be at the school, we would go ahead and register LaLa for pre-k. She was very excited as she toured the school, and I feel like they will definitely give her a challenge and keep her focused, which were my goals in homeschooling her. I attended a couple days last week for new teacher orientation, and I have preplanning this week. Every day has been exciting. I L.O.V.E. what the school is trying to do for these struggling kids. I love the opportunities that this program can provide for kids! Plus, this dream opportunity still allows me to be mama. It is part time. Perfect, huh?

We went from no plan of me going back to work and homeschooling LaLa to me going back to work and enrolling LaLa into school within less than a week. We had to figure out childcare, pray about what to do, evaluate all the pros and cons, and so on...but amazingly, everything fell into place within 24 hours of the job being offered to me. Child care was offered to us (more on that later)! I even worried about a back up plan if our child care can't help one day! Within 24 hours, two different wonderful friends offered to be back ups. Let me point out that I didn't even ask...they offered. It gives me chills just thinking about how it has all worked out! Concern after concern was handled until we couldn't even make up a doubt. God had put this opportunity in front of us. Then, he takes any concerns we have and gives solutions. It has been a lot of changes...a lot of adjusting, but it has been amazing. Let me emphasize that again...it has been absolutely AMAZING what has happened over the last three weeks.

It has literally felt like I was blindfolded and took step by step without knowing if my next step was going to make me fall right off a cliff! God has really shown me that if you take that leap of faith and give up that control...that HE has great things ahead for you! I feel such peace about the way thing have worked out. Do you remember my "summer calendar and projects" that I have been working on all summer? I can even see how God knew that I'd be going back to work this fall...even though I didn't. Without even realizing it, I was getting our house and world in order so it wouldn't be hanging over my head or overwhelming me with projects undone! As we get settled, you'll have to forgive me for not blogging regularly, but I'll be back regularly when I get settled in a routine! I'll be sharing Little Bit's birthday pictures too!

Thanks for reading about our big changes and my leap of faith! I'll keep you posted!
Tammy

My Little Bit is TWO!

Happy Birthday, Little Bit!

You know, my goal as a mother from early on was to make sure that I treasured every single little moment. I did not want to look back one day with regrets. I didn't want to hear a little old lady tell me, "it's over in a blink of an eye" and worry that I was missing something. Although that was my goal, I still feel like these last two years FLEW by without me noticing. I was intentional with my moments where my children are concerned, yet despite my deepest efforts, here I am two years since Little Bit was born...shaking my head and wondering where the time went.

I think with your first born you are so excited to reach each and every milestone that you are looking ahead...not behind at phases that passed by you. I know that is the way I was with LaLa. Plus, as soon as LaLa passed this baby stage, I was so excited about what was just ahead...preschool, being able to be more independent, soccer, more talking, more active, etc.. I was pregnant when LaLa turned two. I think that helped too! I knew the "baby" world was still just around the corner. It is so odd to be excited over such a milestone, yet so sad when those milestones go by as well. Wow, what contradictory feelings!

Little Bit is so excited about her big party on Saturday. She is pointing at pictures of all her friends and family (hanging up on a board beside changing table) and asking, "they coming to my bertday?" She can also hold up two fingers when you ask her how old she is. However, she has to hold up one finger on each hand because she just hasn't grasped the concept of two fingers side by side on one hand! Regardless, it's cute!

LaLa has been a great big sister to Little Bit today. She woke her up by singing happy birthday! We spent the day as a family at Chuck-e-cheese, and the girls had a great deal of fun. I think they should hand prozac out to the parents when you leave. Needless to say, the grown ups are quite exhausted!

Can you guess what kind of party Little Bit is having!?:)

My Sweet Ballerina

These are from LaLa's ballet recital...my sweet girl is growing up. I am having a difficult time realizing this for both of my girls. I love watching them grow and mature each and every day, but at the same time, I want to scream against Father Time because I feel cheated that my time with them "little" is so short. It's hard to explain. I think my baby, Little Bit, turning two is the source of all of this crazy emotions. Today is actually the LAST day that she will be one. The LAST day in my head of her being a "baby".

Getting Dressed.

Tap...love those hats as props!

Ballet...LaLa's little dance class was so sweet this year. She made some great friends (and the moms were great too!)

You mean I get a trophy?! You should have seen her face! Her class is on the far left.

How do you keep a busy toddler still during a recital? A "sugar" pacifier...aka...a ring pop!:)

LaLa's grandparents brought her a bouquet of flowers. She kept smelling them on stage.

One kid looking at that trophy (her favorite part of the night) and one kid that would not quit goofing off with that hat!

My sweet big girl!

LaLa with Robert's parents, "Nana" and "Daddy Gene". They drove all the way from Dalton, Ga to come to her recital for a couple hours! That's grandparent devotion!

My mom and dad with LaLa. (Gumpy and Mimi)

These are some embroidery pictures from the summer. I have been embroidering and sewing alot on my project list. I have been sewing curtains for several rooms. Rooms that I bought curtain fabric for when we first moved in our house (6 years ago!). I have also been working on a lot of projects for Little Bit's birthday that I will share next week!

Beach Towels...I think I have monogrammed a few dozen beach towels since the beginning of summer! They are great for gifts, and they last forever! I still have mine that was a highschool graduation gift!

My poor girls are usually the last ones to get things monogrammed, but I did monogram their bathing suits and really liked it! It makes these Target bathing suits look extra cute!

Are all of my pictures driving you crazy yet? Just a couple more days!:) We are still getting ready for Little Bit's big party day on Saturday!

4th of July

I have a ton of pictures to post. So, I am going to take the next couple of days and catch up! I know family will appreciate getting caught up with pictures, but it might be quite boring for some of you! My blog is usually the only "scrapbook" that I am always up to date on consistently. That is the best part of having a blog!! When it hits my one year mark of having the blog, I plan to make it into a book so my girls can have an entire year worth of a journal/scrapbook of sorts from mommy! Don't you just want to go start a blog RIGHT this second! Hence my guilt and need to catch up on posting pictures!

I am not doctoring these pictures at all! You will see dates, background, and completely unedited pictures!:) It's part laziness. It's part that dang project calendar keeping me busy. It's part distraction because of family coming in town. And the BEST part? It's my Little Bit's birthday week! She will be two on Thursday! We love birthdays here and celebrate big...meaning I have to do lists on top of to do lists!

Here are pictures from the fourth of July. That is my second favorite holiday...just love it! We had so much fun, especially since it was on Sunday. We had the opportunity to celebrate at my parents' house all weekend...lots of swimming, lake time, movies, playing, and enjoying the days! My parents live on the same lake we do...just on the other side. It makes visiting great because we are close enough to run home when we need to rest or get something. Plus, they have all the fun "big toys" that we get to enjoy like the pool and the boat!:) My mom is one of five girls in her family. When she cooks, she cooks for an army despite how many people will actually be eating. She and my dad shopped and had SO much food for the weekend! I think I ate and snacked all day...and probably gained a gabillion pounds! It was fun though!

Robert carrying our stuff in for the day! Kids are so little, but they NEED SO much stuff! It feels like we are moving no matter where we go because we pack so much stuff!

LaLa and I made a yummy flag cake. She was great at decorating. I was throwing the blueberries on the top while she methodically placed each one! Little Bit was "fired" from helping by LaLa because she kept "accidentally" getting whip cream on her.

Fun playing in the back yard.

I was trying to pose the girls to get a few pictures in their "Dependents" Day dresses (their name for the 4th). You know how that goes...one looks while the other looks away!

Looks so sweet! She was looking at the geese across the cove.

Little Bit is such a mess! She would have jumped in the lake if we would have let her.

Hmm...almost a good picture!

Fishing at the dock. LaLa caught a fish off the dock last year on Easter...the only fish she has ever caught off the dock. However, she never forgets that one time and always thinks that fish will bite her hook again! My brother "caught" my ear when we were little while fishing with our grandfather. My ears get the "ibbyjibbies" every time someone casts a pole...even years later!

Popsicles and waiting for the fireworks. I make the girls, especially Little Bit, wear swimmies on the boats...just in case. I keep their life jackets on hand too, but they will wear their swimmies longer. Our neighborhoods do something really cool. Everyone pays in a certain amount to go toward fireworks for the community. On the fourth, everyone goes out in their boats to see the firework display they do over the lake. It's great...no crowds, kids are contained (for the most part), and it is really a great show! I have great memories of doing this as I was growing up on the fourth...so it made it extra special to get to do it with my girls! Good things of that night? It didn't rain. Little Bit didn't try to jump off the boat (I was worried.). You dock your boat...walk up to the house...and go to sleep!

My two little fireworks on the boat. They were so excited for the fireworks. LaLa thinks Tinkerbell has something to do with ALL fireworks. Little Bit covered her ears and fell asleep during the fireworks!

A great, great day!