I made a tart.

(Crickets chirping...)

To follow up on my previous post, I think it's hilarious that I didn't get many comments. I do know that several people read it and called or emailed me personally thanking me for my thoughts. Those are the people that matter most to me, so that's what counts - and believe it or not, they all are in different places. I think it's a wonderful thing to share life with people that don't all have to agree with you 100%, but find common ground with you. I struggle with the "blinders" who think it's one way or the highway...

So apparently I am not good at sleeping in. Particularly with my consistent early morning wake-up time...so Saturday morning I woke at 7:30 after "sleeping in". What to do?

Laundry, kitchen clean-up, coffee and a magazine, bake a tart...

Yup.

I ordered this cool kit from my aunt who had a Pampered Chef party (can't find it online). If you like to bake you have to get it!

I used a Lemon Berry Tart from my Betty Crocker cook book. I LOVE it and use it all the time. I just find new helpful things every time I pick it up.

I used frozen berries, because that's what I had on hand.

It was pretty good...a bit runny, probably from using reduced fat cream cheese.

Happy Monday. Love to you, my friends.

Caution! My opinions are here.

It's been so long and it's amazing how much life can change so quickly! I miss blogging, but my internet time is very limited these days. There are so many priorities for me and often time sleep and crashing on the couch win out. I do want to reconnect and maintain my place in the internet world, but all in due time.

So I went back to work in November and I am the HR Director at a community health center. It's really been so good to be back using the HR person that is in me. I definitely feel blessed to have found my calling and my gift and truly enjoy what I do - even on the hard days.

I had a clear push from the Lord to go back to work - so I cannot question that this is where I am supposed to be right now. The doors opened at the right time for our family - particularly when this ugly recession started to rear it's head. Matt has a wonderful job too, but we are being cautious and taking the road we have been pointed to.

It has been a pretty smooth transition for us...and as time and decisions have moved forward it has gone as best as possible! Sam is at a wonderful school 3 days a week and gets to spend 2 days a week with his G-ma. He loves each and every day he gets at both places and it feels so good to see him enjoy his special moments in each environment. When he's with G-ma I know he's getting lots of love, attention and basically whatever he wants! And the days he's at school he's learning so much and socializing with other kids. It's been so good.

Do I miss him? Terribly. I miss him. I miss the light of my home and folding laundry in the middle of the day while it's raining. There are lots of things I miss. But there were lots of things I missed about my career that I thought about during my time at home too.

Women definitely have a unique perspective when it comes to the areas of work and home. I feel pretty unique to have experienced both thus far. I don't think one is far superior than the other. I just think that people's place in life is different. So here's my thoughts:

If I had to stand on a soap box and shout my opinions thus far, I would say that one has emerged strongly within me: Since when is staying at home a right? I say this because I feel like some women view it as their husband's responsibility to work one, even two jobs so they can be home with the children. If anyone is listening - know this: being with your children all day is a privilege and not a right. A privilege to enjoy those moments. An economically-based privilege. Not all women of the world get to spend their days with their children...and certainly not all American women.

And about the issue of who works harder? Please! They are BOTH tough. Just in different ways. There are indulgences at home. They are indulgences at work. Each has their own unique challenge.

For now I feel really good about where I am. I have been blessed with a beautiful little boy from the Lord. He has given me a great deal of responsibility in that gift. First and foremost is nurturing him with love, security, food and shelter. Matt and I are a team and as a team we are facing that responsibility together. To be honest, it feels really good to contribute to the family financially and offer some level of security to our family unit during tough economic times. The world is a scary place these days - and we definitely have reason for caution when it comes to job security.

I have faith. The Lord provides. But your prayers have to have feet. Sure, faith that the Lord will provide is essential. But that's just the starting point. He gives hands, feet, and ability to walk forward in faith - not sit by and expect him to just do what we ask. We are doing just that and know that in the end, things will be OK.

By the way, if you are ever tempted to judge a woman for her choice of staying at home or working you just have to read this book: Mommy Wars. It's an amazing compilation of stories that will make you laugh and cry. It's written by women on both sides - and a beautiful reference whenever you feel strongly on one side or the other. :)

One more thing I just have to say to Christian moms out there. PLEASE remember that being a Godly wife and mother does not equal "I stay home with my children." There is nothing that burns me up more than someone telling me that it's the "Godly" thing to do. I simply cannot find a biblical reference that tells me that. I do know that we are to honor our husbands and I hope that my husband feels honored by my being receptive to his request that I return to work for the future security of my family.

(stepping off of my soap box now)

To My Friends...

I had to share this with you!

Happiness keeps you sweet Trials keep you strong Sorrows keep you human Failures keep you humble But only God keeps you special.

Carrots, Eggs & Coffee: A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.

''Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The20 mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water,they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot,an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean ? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to you (I JUST DID); to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down;to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.If you don't send it, you will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten some one's day with this message!May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!I really like sharing coffee with you.

Christmas 2008

Here are some pics from Christmas 2008. We had a great time this year even though the crowd was small. Yes. I said the crowd was small...Feliz Navidad!

Group Picture

Tio Ben and Sam

Marissa, Mom and I

Marissa, Merrean, Kiersten and I. I am the oldest cousin (at the ripe age of 21).

So many changes...

We have had a lot of changes gong on around here - the most significant? Me going back to work FULL TIME! Wow. It has been quite a big change for us. I knew how to have a career. I knew how to be a mom. But I did those separately! I am combining them now....and will have much more to say about that another time.

Another thing that has changed? I stopped sewing and made some cards!

I decided to join a Christmas card swap with my girlfriend Yesenia in Chicago...she's coordinating. This is what I came up with...in about 45 minutes using pre-cut papers from the dollar section at JoAnn's.

Glad to ink it up again. But will go back to sewing soon...

A family affair...

I had to share the latest from Christy.

She's so gifted. Thank you, Christy! Love you.

http://bonifaciophotography.com/guilford/

For the Sam fans...

A recent favorite of the two babies in the house. LOVE IT!!!