'Reflection' or 'The Simple Life'

Lately, I've been thinking of how blessed I am, in so very many ways. I believe that one of my favorite blessings is getting to stay home with Damari. That kid melts my heart, and I know he should, but really, he's awesome. Sure, we have our down days, but overall he really is a good kid.

The decision for me to stay home wasn't easy. When we first moved, I worked full time and Josh was initially working in Hendersonville Monday-Friday. That was a very tough and trying time for me, but we survived. Once Josh was home and we moved and settled in to 'The Farm' I was working 3 nights a week and Damari was in daycare. I hated him being there. Josh and I would pass each other in the driveway 3 days a week and the other days I'd spend catching up on sleep and all the housework. We were both extremely stressed. I'd be in tears numerous times a week due to the stress I had. I felt God wanted me at home and Josh and I talked about it and decided for us to make the jump.

After all, with my crazy schedule, Josh wasn't able to put in the hours he needed to for Graybrooke, so we solved many solutions at one time. Damari wasn't in daycare, I could tend to all the needs of raising a child and running a house, my sleep schedule was normal again, and Josh could pull the long hours needed to get a business started. We are fully trusting God to provide for us since we no longer have my steady income. I still work 4 hours a week, but that is a lot different than 36.

Anyway, back to my point, I am home with my son EVERY day. I love playing with him, teaching him new things, singing with him, laughing with him, coloring with him, exploring outside with him. He is really developing into a smart, funny, loving child. We have the tantrums at times and some days I want to scream and pull my hair out, but don't we all have those days no matter where we work? I love being able to cook a healthy dinner for my family (something that was rare when I worked full-time), keep the dishes done, grocery shop, do laundry and everything else.

Being able to stay home has opened me up to so many things. I had a garden this year for the first time and hope to have an even bigger one next year. I try a new recipe almost every week. I love to cook and really enjoy experimenting in the kitchen. I've started making my own dishwasher detergent and once I use up all our store bought cleaners I plan on making my own. I no longer use the dryer regularly, I line dry our clothes. All in all I feel like I'm getting back to the real meaning of life. Things don't have to be so elaborate and I don't need the newest gadget or appliance or whatnot. (I do however, HAVE to have my dishwasher!)

I love my simple life and some days I still only see Josh in passing, but I believe that God will bless us for trusting HIM and that He will bless Josh in his long hours and hard days. If an emergency comes up, Josh is able to be there with us or for us. We make time to be together as a family and Damari gets several hours alone with Josh on Wednesdays when I work, which I think is so important and awesome! I look forward to having more children and cooking for a big family. I want to raise them to respect authority and treat women with kindness and decency. I want them to know that life can be hard and you have to work for things, everything isn't just given to you. I want them to want to help others and serve those less fortunate than themselves. I want them to be able to entertain themselves and enjoy reading a good book. I want them to value God and family and a simple life.

LIFE IS GOOD!

BIG BIG News

Well, last weekend we moved to Kernersville!! It was very sudden and chaotic, but we did it! Josh and I have always said we wanted to end up closer to his side of the family. We tried to live here when we first got married, but couldn't find jobs. I wouldn't trade the last nine years in Union County for anything! We were there for so many things and getting to watch Will & Grace grow up was fun. We've known for years that our house on Luther Lane wouldn't be our 'forever home.' As far as mom, she isn't planning on staying where she is and we're pretty sure she will come closer to us, or closer to Damari. =) We were a little over an hour from her in Monroe and now we are right at 1.5 hours, so not a huge difference.

Josh's grandmother is getting older. Also, Josh's dad has 7 acres of land and Josh, as the oldest male, feels obligated to help. I totally agree. What about my family, you ask? They are ever precious and dear to me and while I've been excited, I've had moments of fear and great sadness. I'm leaving a lot, my dad, brothers, and sister. Not to mention a wonderful step mom and her family. I've had to keep what I'm gaining in sight. And realize that Concord Mills is about an hour away for my dad as well as us and we can meet there. Also, my dad and family are more apt to travel, so all in all I think everyone wine. I'm the oldest, but not the oldest male. My dad has a wife and two grown sons who can help with him and I'm never more than two hours away.

About a month ago we began to take the steps to make our dream a reality. We were looking for and applying for jobs and left the rest in God's hands. On October 14, I had an interview at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for a night position as a pediatric nurse. Tuesday I was offered and accepted the job.

Tuesday of last week, was a busy day followed by an insanely busy week. Tuesday I submitted my resignation to my current PRN position and began packing boxes. I packed and packed every free second I had. Damari tried to help by pulling the items out of the box as fast as I could put them in, so my packing was done during nap time. :) Thursday night, Josh and Blake went and picked up the UHaul and loaded a desk someone gave us. Friday Ricky and Devin (along with Kim and Braxton) came over to help and got the washer and dryer loader as well as the couch. Saturday Devin, Caleb and Drew helped get most of our stuff loaded, while my mom kept Damari at her house and we hit the road at 3 to head to our new home.

Side Note: Josh's cousin Caroline and her husband, Mark had recently relocated to Charleston, SC and their house in Kernersville was sitting empty. They graciously offered to lease it to us.

We had extremely smooth travels and arrived to our new house around 5 on Saturday evening. We were welcomed to the town by a crew of friends to help unload the truck. Seth (UNCG student) and Tay (NC State) were former Parkwood students Josh ministered to and befriended showed up. As did Steve and Shelly. Not to mention Josh's dad, sister and uncle. We had the truck unloaded and the kitchen 80% set up by 7:00 at which time we slowed down for some fellowship and pizza.

Tonight is my second night in our new home and Damari's first. We have had numerous visitors and have spent time with Memaw already. I've also already taken my first trip to Walgreens and Target, all of which are in town!

I'm not sure how I'll adjust being 60 seconds from a grocery store! :P I do believe I'll enjoy this.

Feeding the Ducks/Geese

We took Damari to feed the ducks, but there were mostly geese there. He wasn't so sure about what we were doing and the geese were crazy! They swarmed us and we were afraid to put Damari down. He just watched. He wouldn't share his bread with the geese, he ate it!

I really enjoyed this outing; it is something I remember doing in the same exact place with my grandpa and great grandfather years ago!

I'll continue to take Damari and maybe one day he'll share his bread with them!

Damari is ONE!!

Well, actually he's been one for half a month now! He's growing so fast. He is walking now and is very smart. He says several words, "Dada," "Mama," "Nonna," "Gigi," "Grace," "yes," "no," and "stinky." There may be others that I can't remember right now. We enjoy everyday with him. He is a very sweet child full of hugs, kisses, and laughter.

Cooling off

It is so hot lately, we have been miserable. Our upstairs a/c is broken so we have a window unit in Damari's room. He loves it! I hope you enjoy the video and stay cool. :)

Teething boy

Damari is currently working on his 4th tooth. It has been keeping him up at night and he is chewing on everything! I hope you enjoy the video.

Sick Boy

Damari has an upper respiratory infection and has been running fever for the past two days. He's pitiful and it breaks my heart. He does pretty well as long as I keep Motrin in him. Our pedi recommended me give Damari a popsicle to increase his fluid intake, but you know me all I could think about was the sugar! So, on the way home this morning I stopped at Target to buy some of the plastic molds to make your own popsicles. I bought some fruit juice and made Damari his own special popsicles (I diluted the juice with water). After his nap this afternoon, I thought we'd try one to see if it'd help Damari feel better. He wasn't so sure what to think at first, but then he got the hang of it and loved it! In addition to a special treat, I'll be giving him these when he's sick and I think it may help with teething as well.

Isn't he just the cutest thing, even when sick?

Play date!!

We had a play date yesterday! Damari had 3 friends over. Well, really I had three friends over to make baby food and see all the kids together. They were so cute. The children are growing so fast. We had a great time and made a lot of baby food! Its so much cheaper than buying baby food and I like it because it has no preservatives! Here are some pictures from the day. All four babies were sleeping at one time. It was so funny, they each were in a different room of the house! Damari really enjoyed playing with Malikye, Azaylee, and Leighra. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Thank God Thursday: Dedicated Husband

I'm so thankful for Josh. He is so dedicated to me and our family. He is truly an amazing father. I love getting to see him and Damari spend time together. He is so intentional about spending time with Damari everyday. Josh is my best friend and we always have so much fun together. Last night we went out to dinner. We took Damari, but it was the first time since Damari has been born that it was just the 3 of us. Damari was a great boy and Josh and I really enjoyed it.

Josh and I decided this week that I'm going to cut my hours back even more. I'll be working one-third the hours I've been working. I'm so excited! We decided that Damari needs his mommy, not a sitter. I'm so thankful for the peace and confirmation we've received from numerous people! We are convinced that we are doing the right thing and we know that God will take care of us. Josh is dedicated to do what it takes to take care of our family and provide for us.






















Thank you Josh, I love you so much!

Busy Boy

Damari has been a busy boy! We've enjoyed the weather being nicer and have spent some time outside. Last week we tried out one of Damari's Christmas toys, (thank you Papa and Gigi). We will put it out in the yard when it gets warmer, but we tried it out in the garage for now. Damari seemed to like it pretty well.


Damari has visited all of his fellow baby friends in the last few weeks. We don't have pictures of each visit, but he's enjoyed hanging out with Malikye, Molly and Rayna and Azaylee. Malikye is a few weeks older, Azaylee is a couple weeks younger and Rayna is 2 months younger than Damari. He's got lots of friends his age to play with! Last night we were at Aaron and Ashley's house visiting with them and Azaylee. Damari borrowed her high chair and ate some cereal at their house. Damari and Azaylee were so cute together. They just kept staring at each other. Here is a pic of them holding hands...we didn't do this, they did!


And finally, just a few more random pictures of our growing boy. He's so happy all the time!

Damari & Guitar

Click to Play Video on YouTube

Damari Eating

Today we introduced Damari to solid foods, we started with a little oatmeal. Hope you enjoy the video. I propped the camera up and my hand gets in the way some...sorry.

Click to see video

Right after the video, Damari grabbed the spoon and tried to help me feed him.

Just found this blog video

We just stubled across this blog video that never got posted, so here it is. It is from October 2009.

Click here to see the video