Hello 2016!

Hello?
It's me.
I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to read...
All about my life
And everything
They say that writing is supposed to be easy
But I ain't done much blogging
Hello?

Are you still there! I am resolved to bring new life into this poor blog of mine. I haven't moved on...I've just moved away for a little bit! I miss publishing my blog books each year, and these days I have a bit more time to really sit and think and post. I wrote a huge Christmas letter this year and realized how my children have grown up and are pursuing so many of their dreams. It is so exciting isn't it!! I have also done a lot of reflecting about my place in all of this. Am I still needed? Is it time for me to pursue some of my own dreams? A few big opportunities have presented themselves in the past 6 months..simply fallen into my lap when I wasn't looking or asking..and they tempted me with money and excitement...and for a moment I dreamed of "having it all" BUT I just couldn't do it. I couldn't leave my home for money and a "real" job. I am needed. I am so important in my children's lives right now. It has always been important to me to "be at the crossroads" with my children whether coming or going. They don't need me all day long for physical needs, but they need me for emotional and spiritual support. They need me to be there when they wake up and they need me to be there when they call. They need me there when they come home from a hard day at school so they can feel my love and concern for them. They need me around to ask questions about homework, life, friends and future plans. It isn't time that is planned or scheduled into our days....but when they need me I have to be there. The one thing I've learned from teenagers is random conversations happen all the time...in the car, before bed, while you're in the kitchen, when you are just sitting reading...as long as you are present those conversations can start. Every part of me longs to be there for them...and so, for now, I will keep my full time job as Mom and I fill in the extra time with smaller acts like visits to elderly, time to worship at the temple, volunteering at school with PTA and classroom help, keeping up on the laundry and making dinners we can enjoy together, lots of BAKING sweets! I started a small 6 hour a week job with a family as a mother's helper. I saw her ad on a neighborhood website and I instantly knew that was my job. I met her and she knew right away too. I feel like I can help ease some of her stress with 4 young boys and a new home. It's perfect, and I enjoy it and hope I can make a difference the short hours I spend there.

Motherhood. It's a tough business, a tough job and it demands so much...but I love it!!

Here's to all the future postings of the year, and to the past ones I hope to write as well! Beth