Road Trip!

This week I had to go on an overnight trip out of town for a work meeting.  It's a crazy trip as I spend 8 hours in the car (round trip) for a 6 hour meeting, but it is worth it since the people I work with are scattered all over the state.  We only get together in person a few times a year, so it is nice to see them all for a day.

I love looking at signs on the road. There were so many good ones on my drive Thursday night.  Unfortunately I wanted so badly to get to my hotel to rest that evening that this one at a rest stop was the only one I could snap a picture of.  

When I arrived at my hotel, I was pleased to discover that they were extremely concerned for my safety.

Yep, all fire alarms!  I'd hate to hear what that sounds like when there actually is a fire!

And if you were worried that this wasn't enough, a fifth one was in the bathroom...

The hotel room safety features weren't the only perks of my stay.  I also had the greatest room location.  I actually had a door that led out to the courtyard by the swimming pool.  It was a rainy day and I had to get to my meeting, but check this out...

If I didn't have to rush home because hubby was going out of town for work (timing is everything!) I'd have stayed an extra night just to enjoy my view, along with a glass of wine!  

I think the only time I ever enjoy breakfast in bed is at this hotel!  This was really yummy.  I didn't have time to eat it all, but I'm really glad I chose the eggs over a bowl of cereal!

Just in time for the drive home, a massive downpour.  Thankfully it only rained for the first 30 - 40 minutes of my 4 hour drive home.  But of course, I had no umbrella, so during those 30 or so minutes, not only was I struggling to see the road, but I was SOAKING wet and cold!  The sun did finally come out and between that and the heat in my car I dried off quickly thank goodness!

I stopped for a fancy schmancy dinner at McDonalds.  It was the coolest McDonald's I've ever seen.  If I wasn't worried about what the other people eating inside thought, I would've taken pictures.  But I was afraid too.  It was very modern and bright.  I've never seen anything like it before.  And didn't really expect to see that in the middle of nowhere, which is where I was.

A quick pit stop for gas, and I was on the road again ready to get home!

To make time go by fast on the road, I listened to this for a bit.  It was ok.  I don't think I'll listen to the other 14 hours that are left.  But maybe I'll borrow the actual book someday.  Maybe.

And finally the best stop of the day - home sweet home!  So thankful to come home to two happy girls who were spoiled by ice cream from their grandparents!  After putting them to bed, I enjoyed some blog reading, TV watching, wine and popcorn.  The perfect R&R after 26 straight hours away from home!

Priorities

Don’t you love it when you stumble upon something that you know was just meant for you to read at that particular moment?  Today, I was randomly reading blogs during my lunch break (I forgot to bring a book to work) and I read something that really hit home for me today. 

You see, my four year old has been asking me pretty much every night lately if I’ll be able to stay home from work the next day.  She’s been pretty emotional and I can tell she’s frustrated about something.  She’s been crying more than usual and has been leaving her room at bedtime to come see me more and more.  Being a four year, she doesn’t really have the right words to say what she needs or wants, but I am pretty sure she is trying to tell me something important by the way she is acting.

It bothers me to see her upset as she is usually very easy going, happy child.  And she always loves spending the days with grandma while I work, so I could tell something was up when she started asking me to stay home from work.  Then I read this:  Are you're children acting crazy?  Maybe they need more of you.  It was just what I needed to read today!

To tell you the truth, this has been on my mind lately, but I’ve sort of been ignoring it.  I still haven’t figured out how to create 40 more hours in my week so that I can take care of my job and my home and then have quality time for my family.  So I spend 9 hours a day away from home and when I come home, I cook, help with homework, sort through mail, load the dishwasher, unload the dishwasher, plan grocery lists, pay bills, vacuum, do laundry (sometimes), clean up messes, give baths, say bedtime prayers with the girls, run errands and stress about the million other things that I’m not getting done.  The weekends aren’t much better with church, soccer, occasional dance or girl scout programs, visiting relatives, grocery shopping and playing catch up from the week.  I’m busy, busy, busy, but I’m not focusing my energies in the right places.  The problem is, I am neglecting my most important responsibility – being there for my daughters.

As a mom, I’ve been working outside of the home full-time for almost 8 years now, since my oldest was 4 months old.  You’d think with my experience I’d know a thing or two about balancing it all but I don’t.  I cannot figure it out no matter how hard I try.  But try I must, as time keeps moving faster.  Only 4 and 8 years old now, soon these girls will be teenagers.  

The challenges they face will keep getting harder.  And if I cannot give them the time they need now, will they learn to not come to me?  Will they find other, possibly dangerous, places to seek comfort and help?  What a terrifying thought.  Starting today, I will seek out opportunities to laugh and play with them.  I will stop what I’m doing to enjoy Dancing with the Stars with my budding ballerinas.  I will stop saying it is too late for a bedtime story and will enjoy every moment of even the longest of stories.  I will say yes to pedicures and Barbies and baking cookies.  I will pray daily that God gives me the wisdom to use my time wisely and invest it in what matters most.  The dirty dishes will always be there but these beautiful girls will soon be grown.  And what I do today may affect who they turn out to be as young women.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:15 - 17

Take 2

I'm starting again.  Today.  For real.

I've always wanted to do this, yet I posted a whopping two posts and quit.  I don't know why.  God has kept blogging on my heart this entire time, but I've been afraid to commit.  I'm afraid to put myself out there.  But today is a new day and I am going to do this!

My heart right now is jumbled up.  I struggle daily with managing life - kids, marriage, a full time job, budgeting, working out, housekeeping, being a Girl Scout leader.  I always feel like it is too much.  I know I'm not alone but I feel like no one wants to admit that this is hard.  I want my life to be different.  I want peace, joy, and patience.  I need self-control, kindness and gentleness.  I need Jesus!

I guess this blog will be where I journal my misadventures as a busy working mom trying to figure it all out.  I hope to find other working moms in the process who can share their wisdom.  Together we can find a way to make the most of the days the Lord has given us!