It’s hard to fathom that my baby turns five-years-old today!  Crazy.  It seems like yesterday I was impatiently waiting to deliver this little boy into the world amid the stresses of working, raising a family and trying to keep this vehicle called life in the middle of the road!

Looking back, I didn’t realize that Chase’s birth would mark the end of my real estate career and the beginning of the roller coaster ride of staying at home and all that goes with this decision.  Nevertheless, the wild trip of becoming a mother of two has been worth more than money could have ever provided from a successful occupation.

Sure, there have been ups and downs, worries and frets (mostly about money and seldom getting kudos – unless you count smooches).  However, the whole reason I chose this path was to watch my two boys grow, change, learn, create, improve and develop into unique individuals without missing many moments.

Of course, who knew I would be able to survive without a career and put someone else’s needs before my own??  I didn’t have a clue!!

Selflessness has been the hardest lesson to content with during this life changing event because I’ve had to learn to depend on my husband to provide for our family (we always thought we’d be a two-income family), raise children (they sure didn’t come with a Raising Children for Dummies book) and keeping the home fires burning (How do you boil eggs?  And do I really have to clean the toilet?)

NOTE:  I still work on not being so selfish!!

I will not be winning any Mommy of the Year awards any time soon.  But you know what?  I really don’t care because I’ve done the best I could in every situation.  Sometimes I hit the ball out of the park and sometimes I flop and fall like a ton of bricks.

This journey makes me truly believe that God doesn’t call the qualified…He qualifies the called.

There is no doubt I have been humbled, frustrated, worn down and blessed beyond measure during the past seven years (the extra two years include the life of my first born, too).  But, I wouldn’t change a thing.

God has given me all the things I need when I need them in each circumstance throughout my life.  Now…if I can just remember this in the upcoming roads I travel!!

What things should I continue to work on in any condition of life?

• Having Loads of Fun – Life is not supposed to be dull and boring. Putting fun into life will help us to be joyful no matter what we face.

“The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” Proverbs 10:28

• Keeping the Faith – We should always work on strengthening our faith and realizing that difficult situations shape us and build our character.

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1John 5:4

• Growing My Courage – Events sometimes require us to dig deep and pull up those boot straps.  But, make no mistake, God never abandons us and is only a prayer away!

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2Timothy 1:7

• Living with Laughter – There is absolutely no reason why we can’t laugh in any situation.  It may not be appropriate, but it’s always necessary to keep our humor.

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” Psalms 126:2

• Pressing through with Perseverance – Life is not going to be easy.  So, accepting the fact that we will have to struggle and push through some glass ceilings will set us up to have the energy, motivation and the right state of mind to keep trying!!!

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

• Hanging onto Hope – This is the most important!  If we don’t have hope, we have no reason to move forward.

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col. 1:27

Chase’s 5^th birthday marks the next adjustment in my life as he will start Kindergarten this year and I will be ushered into a new phase of my life – a mom of two boys in school.  I think I’m going to need LOTS of prayers!!!

Where are you on the road of life?  And, how are you making it?

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 22:3 – A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.