Fresh Start

I know it's been quite a while since my last blog. I've really been convicted about my priorities over the past few weeks. I love to blog and surf other blogs for cute crafts and ideas, but I felt as if it was taking up time that could be better spent in other areas of my life. I also love to spend time with my girls and sew. So, I've really been working on spending more quality time with my girls during the day and sewing after they go to bed at night. So, that doesn't leave a lot of time to keep up with my blog. God's really teaching me how to balance everything better so hopefully I can find how to work keeping up with my blog in there.

I was blessed to be able to go to youth camp with our teenagers this year. I haven't been able to go since we've been at MSBC because I have one toddler and preschooler who need me. Well, God laid it on my heart to go this year. It was so hard leaving the girls for 8 days! Those moms who have been there totally understand. The longest Laney had been gone was for a weekend and that was just a few weeks ago. God gave me the strength and peace throughout the week at camp. I knew I was where I needed to be without a doubt, even if it was difficult leaving the girls. God worked in AWESOME ways!!!! I can't even begin to describe how our youth group came together and comforted and encouraged each other. I've never experienced the closeness of a youth group like I did this past week. I was blessed to spend the week with two amazing ladies and get to know them better. I was also blessed to spend a whole week with my other girls...the girls in my youth group that I call mine. I was able to set aside being mom for the week and just focus on my teenagers. Something that is very difficult to do when you have little ones. Needless to say, my week was amazing!

Now, we are closing out day 1 of readjusting to life after camp. Natalie has done much better than I could ever have imagined. She's a little whiney and clingy, but not too bad considering she's still exhausted. Laney, on the other hand, is a different story. She seems like a different little girl. I left a happy, bubbly little girl and return to a tantrum throwing mess. I'm not sure if it's because we were apart for a week or if she's going through a phase. God has definitely given me more patience and understanding with them. I know it's going to be a tough week and I'm prepared as much as I can be.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.