It's been a long time coming...

Things have been really crazy this past year... I went back to work part time in November 2009 after being at home with the kids for almost 6 years. My husband found a new job after being laid off for several months in the beginning of 2009, only to be let go from this job a year later in May. So we got to thinking... Maybe we're not suppose to be employed by other people... Maybe it's time for us to start that business we've always talked about or publish one of the books I've written? After all, we realized almost 10 years ago, in the beginning of our relationship that our entrepreneurial spirits were one of the things that we've always had in common.

While many people would probably be stressed and depressed, we've decided to take this time to ask God for wisdom and discernment. We believe that all things good and bad work together for our good. So, while we have been praying for direction, we've been enjoying our time together as a family. We've taken the kids to the botanical gardens, movies, and bowling. We also have several other family trips planned thanks to great finds on Groupon!

Additionally, this opportunity has allowed us to take time to make our marriage stronger. I have found that most issues arise in our marriage from either one of 2 places: either lack of communication or undefined expectations. When we have clearly communicated and negotiated expectations then everything else falls in to place. We've renegotiated our responsibilities within the household in regards to everything from cooking and cleaning to caring for the children and sex. For example, we are now planning and cooking our meals TOGETHER weekly. This is our first week but so far so good. We also divided the household chores. I, along with the girls, am responsible for the kitchen because he hates doing the kitchen. However, he is responsible for taking out the trash and mowing the lawn... Two things that I have no interest in doing EVER!! We alternate putting the kids to bed at night.

My husband and I also decided to go to real estate school together! We've talked about getting into real estate off and on for years. We studied together and encouraged one another and we both passed the exam. Now we are interviewing brokers as a team! He will work the business full time and I will work it part time. Although things are really uncertain right now, I am very excited about the possibilities. To finally be self employed, working our own business, out of our home, TOGETHER... would be a dream come true!

It's been a long time coming but I know that a change is gonna come!

I guess it's my turn? --by miztermintz

My writing style is more sporadic... fragmintz (I use to be a rapper, I guess I still freestyle.) I'm not so bothered by my son crying, my mind is on my momma. She's going into surgery tomorrow morning. Her surgery comes from her having Cancer, they're planning on removing her entire bladder, if not the doctors' say the cancer will grow back at a rapid pace. She's been in chemo treatments for the past several months. I feel like listening to 2Pac- "Dear Momma". I pray that the surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, technicians, equipment... whomever and whatever all work in concert together to perfection.

I didn't grow up knowing my mother's momma, I was about my son's age when she passed. My mah is such a sweet lady, I would love for my son to grow up with a chance to know her. My girls love her, I mean they love all their grandparents, but as my momma tells them all the time "we girls" (like they her road-dogs.) I don't want my son to hear stories, I want him to have his own experience with her. I see how my wife interacts w/ her "Mema" as she calls her and I know I never had that. I'm not complaining nor whining, but I wonder what my Grandma would have had me call her, or what lessons I would have learned from her. Of course I want my momma around for me to enjoy, but for either selfless or selfish reasons (haven't figure out which one), I want my son and my girls to have the opportunity to grow up knowing and enjoying their grandparents, especially my momma aka "Grannzy".

ok so... let's give this thing a try!! -- by mizzmintz

Our 7 month old son, our only son, is in his crib crying because unfortunately he is spoiled. He won't go to sleep unless I am holding him and/or breastfeeding him. As soon as he realizes that he has been put in his crib he has a fit! He'll be totally exhausted but he will fuss and cry until I pick him up and then he passes out in my arms. Now Solo... his name is Solomon but we call him Solo... is really a very laid back kid which is why I was unwittingly able to spoil him. He sits very quietly in my arms and breastfeeds while I homeschool my girls so I don't notice when he has fallen asleep and therein lies the problem. He has gotten used to falling asleep at the breast.

So tonight we've made sure that he is freshly changed and fed. We've laid him down to bed hence we have the crying. I really hate to hear him cry because he rarely does. And when he does, I know that he is either really tired or upset... tonight he is both!