Hi

Hi, my name is Stacey and this is my blog.  In case you've forgotten.  Which might be likely and I certainly wouldn't blame you.

It's been forever since I updated.  Not for a lack of happenings, just a freeze of words.  I have 4 posts sitting in my save file that I'm not publishing for one reason or another.

I'm only updating now because I am so tired of seeing my last post show up. 

I'm sorry I haven't been around.

Things are good.  Rebekah has a job for winter break.  That's good...and bad.  Such is life.  Good because she needs $$.  Bad for two reasons, one, she's not around much and I really, really, really, really, really miss her; and two, because of the managers where she works is a bit of a bully and enjoys belittling people and has no compunction about making people cry.  She may not be working there long.  Life's too short to have to put up with that when you're 18.  When you're 45 and you have a mortgage and kids, there are lousy situations sometimes you just have to suck it up and deal, but not necessarily when you're 18.  We'll see how it goes.

Jason has some job prospects.  I'm praying things work out for the best.  I know he desperately wants a permanent situation.  Hopefully he'll get some good news this week.

Julianna's performing in the Nutcracker today at 2 schools and Monday at 2 schools.  I'm feeling a bit like a lousy mommy because I'm not with her, but I can not afford to take two days off work, especially right before Christmas.  Rebekah, awesome daughter/sister that she is, is being terrific and spending those two days with her.  I'm truly blessed.  I try to alleviate the mommy guilt by reminding myself that if I were not working not only would Julianna not be dancing, that would be the least of my worries.  Why do we pile so much gilt on ourselves?

Jacob's doing great.  He's just...Jacob.  School's going well.  He's almost done reading the Harry Potter series and Chronicles of Narnia is next on his horizon.  He's happy and life is good.

Me?  I'm hanging in there.  Our tree's not up, but hopefully that will happen this weekend.  I can't believe I only have one more week until the kid's are off for winter break.  I'm very much looking forward to that. 

I'm fighting the endless battle of trying to figure out how to work full-time and keep my life turning.  Right now, laundry is seriously suffering.  My house needs cleaned.  I need to meal plan and get to the grocery store.  Forget balance, I'm just trying to figure out how to get it done.  :)

I'll leave you with a quote I'm trying to incorporate into our lives...this holiday season, fit your schedule to your family, don't try to fit your family to your schedule.  I think there's a lot of wisdom there.

Take care.  I hope you're able to slow down, do the things you want to do, not be overwhelmed by the "to-do's" of the season and just step back and enjoy.  It's my goal too.