I am sure that many people wouldn't agree with me, but motherhood is the hardest profession on this planet.  It is the only "job" that one can have where you work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and many times the things that you do go unnoticed (which means that you are doing things right and everything is smooth).  The crazy thing about motherhood though is that I absolutely love it.  Was it hard to let go of my dream of being a school teacher in the here and now? Oh yes, it was very hard!  Is it hard to see my friends post things on Facebook about how much they are loving being a teacher and I know that I will not experience that for a while?  Oh yes, harder than most people imagine, but when I walk into Dustin's bedroom in the morning and he has a huge smile just for me, or when I can just hold him as he takes a nap, then it is worth it.  When i am there for his first scoot across the floor, his first smile, or the first time he giggles because he is happy, then it is worth it.  When I pick him up and he knows just where to lay on my shoulder to comfort himself, or he reaches out his hands becaue he wants me, then it is worth it.  When I think of it that way, I realize that I have so much more than I would if I were a teacher right now.  Even though Dale and I are what most people would term poor, I wouldn't give up these struggles, or my little boy.  Life happens, whether you were planning on it or not, and not everything can always be the picturesque plan that you had in mind from a child.   But, when you wake up, and you realize that the plan that you had made could never compare with the life God has given you, that is when you realize how completely insignificant your wants and plans are.  All of this to say, NO, we didn't wait until we were financially stable, or had a house, or our debt was completely paid off, but our life is full.  Our cup runs over with love for each other, for our little boy, and for our Lord.  I am thankful that I am a teacher of my child, that I am here for him, and that I will be able to look back on my life and know that everything worked out in the best possible way for our family!

AHHHHHH, life decisions...don't..like...change...

OK, so this whole having to make your own money so you can earn a living and maybe get to eat something once in a while thing is not all that it is cracked up to be.  I have officially fallen off of the face of the earth (which I am sure that my friends have noticed), and the fact that I do not have the internet, and do not usually get to have a lunch break so I can go to the library doesn't help.  Other than being  busy I am absolutely loving living in Knoxville.  Dale and I just got a cat that my sister pawned off on us while we were in Texas a couple of weeks ago.  She is so sweet, and it is really funny to see Dale attach himself to something so tiny.  Really really cute actually.  I am starting to make friends here, which is really good because I was starting to believe that I had leporosy or something.  Over all life is really good, and God is a great provider. Dale and I both are continually having to realy on that truth, and trust in Him!  Well I love and miss you all!   Please let me know how you are doing!  I haven't talked to many of you in forever ( which is mostly my fauly)!  Keep in touch!

JoyfulJ