OK, it's been awhile...where do I begin? It's been almost a year since my last post and it has just flown by like the wind. My kids are a little older now which makes life a little easier. I think I have an ounce more of energy in my tank because I have all three kids at the same school and on the same schedule...hallelujah!!!
I must admit I've come along way since my first post in Sept. of 2009. It seems like yesterday when I was changing Madison's diaper while trying to restrain Tyler's naked booty from running outside. I'm no longer having to chase little tykes all over the house and I don't have to worry about a little one throwing tantrums with emotional breakdown dancing moves in the middle of the toy section at Wal-Mart that would make the likes of John Travolta jealous. Needless to say, shopping with my kids these days is much easier!
Now my kids like to help Daddy grocery shop by putting things he buys in the cart without asking and then when you get to the register to check out, you have Santa surprises waiting for you. This can happen quite often and it's usually Tyler and Madison who like to pitch things in my cart when Daddy's not looking. With that said, I'll trade in the tantrums any day for the unwanted products.
My youngest, Madison, just started Kindergarten this year. Tyler is in the first grade and CJ is a fourth grader. The excitement over having them on the same schedule this year is beyond what words can describe. Last year, Madison would catch the Pre-K bus at 10:40am in the morning everyday and get off the same bus with her brothers in the afternoon. I thank God that I had flexibility in my work schedule to be able to manage all of that.
I also became a part-time Music Ministry leader back in January of this year, so I maintain two jobs and the kids. I'm definitely blessed and grateful to God for the work he's given me and the opportunity to serve in the ministry. It's been a great learning experience for me and I continue to write music as well. Psalms 96:1 and 33:3 inspire me to write new songs for God.
When I was going through the hardest times of my life years ago, my songs reflected what I was going through and provided therapy. Now I'm focused on congregational praise music with a style that likens to Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, and groups like Casting Crowns and Hillsong. I get inspired at night sometimes when I'm sitting at the piano and all the kids are asleep. I really enjoy those moments. Otherwise, I'm falling asleep as I'm trying to put the kids to sleep.
Recently, someone sent me a quote stating that "being a single parent is twice the work, twice the stress and twice the tears, but also twice the hugs, twice the love and twice the pride." I thought it was a fantastic quote...sums it up pretty good. It's hard work but it's also very rewarding. It just takes some time getting used to a "new normal". Sometimes I wish I had a "click remote" so I can play back any memory I want from watching the kids grow up.
I enjoyed watching Madison with her friends this past Saturday at her first B-Day Tea Party. Madison was dancing in Tea Party attire while her older brother was doing Spiderman moves in his Top Hat. It's sad to think Tyler and Madison will soon be out of their little tyke stage and be in the stage with CJ where they start to think that they know it all. Madison is already embarrassed if I try to give her a hug or a kiss on the cheek at school. I was surprised by that earlier this year when we were just in the lobby of her pre-K school. I was thinking, "Already...it happens this early?" Lol...until next time.
