Defining Success

I just wanted to check in with a quick family update!

PJ continues to do well at work. It was tough for him to receive the December results on their store's numbers and find out that they were not number one, a spot they had held pretty tightly for a few months prior. It was a slice of humble pie for him to remember that there is never a time to stop pushing. However, it was a good opportunity for me to support him and encourage him in the accomplishments that he has achieved beautifully over this last year. Just because they did not make number 1 in December does not negate the hard work that has been put into making his store a success over the last year.

In the last year they have gone from underperforming and stress-filled to a well oiled machine where the environment has been uplifting in the coworker relationships. Please be praying for the growth and maturity of one of his new coworkers who is working to find her place in the store. Also, the lead technician will be taking some time off to recuperate and connect with his family before his paid family leave runs out. Pray for a time of refreshment for him as well as diligence for us. That PJ would take care of the schedules in a timely manner and that I would encourage him every step of the way over the next 3 weeks.


I have been working on finding a flow that works for the girls and I as I am amping up exercise and meal planning. May the Lord help me to be creative in making new meals that keep AJ interested and keep me in check not to deprive myself of so much at once so that I may continue on my weight loss journey with success not only for myself, but also for my family. This journey is not just for me, but it is for me to be a more fruitful home manager and trainer for my little ones, as well as a biblically submissive wife who takes care of her hubby as he leads us through the challenges and blessings of life.

AJ has been testing boundaries day after day. It is a continued challenge for my patience and drawing a clear line of consistent grace and discipline. Each day seems to bring difficult set backs, but when I take her to lunch and she eats well and socializes with our family or I can sit her in a chair while I get my eyes checked at the doctor, it is clear that the Lord is giving me enough grace to successfully teach my children well.

E is taking rice cereal at night, which is elongating her sleep time, but there is still a challenge to get her through the night. Please pray for consistency in her schedule and that we would not be lax in what we know might work for her instead of taking the easy routes of feeding when we know she is capable of rest. She is rolling from back to belly pretty consistently now, in that, whenever she is placed on her back, she flips for a better view then gets frustrated with her lack of strength to hold herself up for an extended period of time. It is adorable and she is enjoying the flip game!


That seems to be all for now. Thank you for your love and encouragement as our little family continues on our journey! It is such a blessing to know the love and support we have from our church family and all those around us. We love and appreciate you all so much!

-Jessy

Life's Encouragements

About a month ago, PJ told me that his district manager wanted him to recreate a panel discussion regarding his store's success at the national conference in Boston for Area Managers for the company. I really wish that my response was, "Oh my goodness, honey, that is amazing! I am so proud of you and the work you have accomplished at your store this last year!" To my shame, however, I responded with, "Well, how long will you be gone?" in a tone of contempt for his accomplishments. I felt the excitement drain from his demeanor and I knew there was no way I could take that moment back.

I was being completely and unreasonably selfish.

I wanted him to say he would bring ME with him. I wanted him to acknowledge how difficult his absence would be for ME. I wanted to feel as needed as I feel I need him.

It is not easy being a full time mommy and housewife. But I think that being a true helpmate and encouraging wife are even harder. As much as I give myself to my precious little girls each day, I have to give my full support and encouragement to my husband each day. That is a lot of work and takes a lot of investment. I want my husband to be successful and I desire him to do well. If I am aligning my life with his, which is what I am called to do, then I need to be more uplifting in my attitude.

Gee, this wife thing is tough, but I am so glad to have this opportunity to love and minister to my husband in this way.

Please pray for PJ as he heads off to Boston tomorrow. There is an ice storm warning in effect this weekend on the east coast and I pray his flight is not delayed or cancelled coming home. He will be flying out tomorrow morning, his meeting will be all day Thursday, and - Lord willing - he will be returning on Friday afternoon.

-Jessy

Welcome 2017!

It is becoming increasingly apparent that I am a selfish woman. I know, go figure, my humanity and pridefulness are real and life is tough. Life has been quite the adjustment since bringing home E and continuing to train up AJ.

What?! You mean that you're NOT Supermom and you DON'T have it all together?

That's right. I cannot keep the perfect schedule, have a hot breakfast on the table every morning, my husband's lunch ready the night before, be chipper and patient all day everyday, and geared up for a workout each morning.

Sometimes, I don't have the bottles ready when E wakes up from her nap. Most days, I'm not sure what AJ and I are having for lunch until after she has already signed several times that she is hungry and I'm still standing in front of the fridge looking for something decently nutritious for her which is filling enough for me. A majority of the time, I don't even remember what was on the menu for dinner and I'm looking for something to throw together when PJ calls me on his way home asking me what we're having, because the menu item was supposed to be put in the crockpot several hours before or the oven should have been preheated 20 minutes prior to said call.

All in all, it would seem (in my own, control freak, OCD brain) that a windstorm blew through our house. The elf of disorganization might have taken up residence in our bookshelves. The goblin of "what was the plan again?" is the chef who took over my kitchen. "Was I supposed to scrub that?" has camped out in the bathroom. The rainbow unicorn of magical disasters has visited AJ's room several times this week. I am not sure that I can keep up with all of these mystical creatures, they have powerful enchantments.

Alright, so I know that I am being ridiculous, also, Pinterest and Instagram are not the guidelines for everyday life... They are the ideals for homes with inactive children. I am proud to say that 4 of the last 5 days, my girls and I have walked at the mall, 3 of those included stretching and conditioning workouts. The Lord has provided yummy meals every night this week. Three nights this week have been filled with games and enjoyable company (PJ's parents and brother, my parents and brother, as well as friends from small group). Today was amazing because I was able to enjoy an afternoon with mom and some alone time at Starbucks journaling and doing Bible study while PJ enjoyed a "Daddy Day" with our littles.

Yesterday, when I thought my life was over because PJ forgot his schedule and I was denied my alone time; I enjoyed a relaxing day on the couch with the girls, bonded with them, taught AJ her ABC's (sounds and familiar words), extended tummy time with E, an incredibly encouraging article sent over my another mommy from small group, and a sorely needed discussion with friends about my struggle with discontentment.

We have filled this year with lots of goals and stated our desires for family growth, but I can already see that God is going to be stretching us a ton, encouraging us through many difficulties, and loving us right where we are.

Lord, thank you for revealing another incredible piece of your amazing grace. Thank you that I don't have to have it all put together and Your Spirit is my Help. Thank you for the desire to grow, communicate, and seek Your truth. Amen

We would covet your prayers, dear friends. That 2017 would bring our family:
Self-control, Patience and Kindness (all the Fruits of the Spirit) for Jessy
Good scheduling to OUTLINE (not DICTATE) our days
Speaking words for AJ
Walking and no allergies for E
Growth in leadership and strong management for PJ

Love,
Jessy
Numbers 6:24-26

This is a Tough One

I am 39 weeks pregnant.

It is hot, well, today it is still overcast at 10:40am, so I am grateful for that.
EE is heavy and resting quite low, I can feel her in my lower hips, and she doesn't have much room to move around.

I am extremely hormonal, emotionally labile, needy, and irritable. Everything makes me want to cry, and I am ready to meet this little one. I hate feeling this way and I hate asking for help everyday because I'm having trouble keeping up with my developing walker.

I am prayerful that the midwife will send me straight over to Labor & Delivery on Thursday morning, in the mean time, I am doing everything I can that is safe here at home to encourage my body to go into labor naturally.

I write this with tears because I know the Lord has blessed me and given me so much grace through this pregnancy. I have been able to keep exercising, I have been eating better than when I was pregnant with AJ, and I have been able to spend more time managing our home and reading godly insight instead of giving into many lazy temptations.

I am grateful to be home with AJ to teach and train her. I am so proud of how well she is doing with her schedule and of her independent spirit. She is 11 months old now and she enjoys playing in her room for large chunks of time; has moved up to the toddler room at church early, as it has aided her separation anxiety; she sleeps 10-12 hours at night, waking up at 6:15 each morning; she loves food and will try most new things with a pleasant response, but is not shy about letting us know her preferences; she drinks her milk and water from a straw cup like the big girl she is; and we are so blessed beyond measure that she is our daughter. We cannot wait to see her love on her little sister.

Please pray for us as we continue to await the arrival of our little girl. That we would be prepared and grateful for this time we have. That I would not be anxious or push myself beyond measure for my preferences and desires when we bring her home. For a safe delivery and short hospital stay. For my parents as they take time from work to take care of AJ while we are in the hospital. That AJ would not be overwhelmed, and the transition will not be too difficult for her. Also, for PJ, that he is able to prepare his store well before he goes on leave starting this Thursday.

Thank you, friends and family, for your prayers and support. We would not be able to do this without knowing we had such an incredible community around us!

8 Months and Counting

Hello friends! Sorry I have been so sporadic in posting. Schedules and life has been a little hectic. PJ and I have been busy preparing for AJ's arrival. Can you believe that tomorrow is September and she will be here in less than a month, Lord willing?!

PJ's work has still been a little hectic. With his other pharmacist on vacation through next week, they have had a difficult time keeping up the workflow and managing the different floaters who have come in, but my hubby is handling it like a pro, and I am so proud of him. Not too many incidents to speak of, only that it is starting to become second nature for me to encourage him instead of fuel his frustrations and vent with him. It is hard not to be his defender, but there is nothing I can really do besides encourage him in Truth and to cast his cares upon the Lord. It's challenging as a loud, stubborn woman to take a step back and not try to control the difficulties my husband is facing (from 30 miles away), but I'm getting there :)

I want to take this opportunity to thank the amazing women who helped put together both my baby showers to welcome AJ! First, Eileen, I cannot tell you how much it meant that you even wanted to throw one! I felt so loved and encouraged when you told me you really wanted to host one for our church community. Erin, it wouldn't have been possible without all of your hard work on the gorgeous invites and the tasty treats you made for us! And Kathy, I am so amazed at how heavy your desire is to serve, not only me, but the rest of our church community. Thank you all so much for your support.

Second, Mom, there is no way to thank you for all of the ways you have loved and supported me over the years. Your desire to have the friends and family shower be just right was so sweet. Though it had to be so far out to the boonies, it was beautiful and I had so much fun! Pam, your jubilance in helping out and donating your house for us to enjoy our shower was beyond appreciated! Aunt Re, thank you for your help with the cake and sending out invites. Alysha, the games were not as cheesy as they could have been (except the diaper derby :D), good job on picking those out and running them. Love you, cousin!

So many have asked if I have hit my "nesting" period yet. The truth is, mentally, I was waiting for the showers to see what I would even need. On Saturday, when PJ and I finally both arrived home, I was scrubbing down the changing table and prepping AJ's laundry! We went to bed late because I decided that this was the time to get everything ready. Needless to say, we had a long weekend, but it was completely worth it. There is still a mess here to get in order and laundry to finish (my dreaded task), but I'm much more motivated now.

Other ways I have been preparing is just working through my own discipline and consistency. It has been hard for me to keep motivated and keep up with all of the tasks I lay out for myself. Beyond these, I have strong desires to see so many people and have them over for dinner and go out on double dates before our little one arrives, but there doesn't seem to be enough days before that time comes! Please be in prayer for us as we continue to prepare our hearts and minds for the next season. We are both so excited to meet AJ and we cannot wait for you to meet her, too!

With Love,
Jessy