A Little Stay at Home Mom Encouragement!

There are those moments in life that make you question everything.

Why am I here?

What have I ever done that is worth anything?

What will I do now?

What am I really worth?

I believe that no one can make you feel worthless unless you allow them to!  But there are times that a little cutting word can make you question everything.

I have been a stay at home mom for 22 years. I have raised 3 kids to be responsible grown ups, caring and loving individuals with independent spirits. That is a great accomplishment, isn't it? 

Then the show stopper comes. Watching a popular T.V. show last week where one of the mothers was a lawyer and has suddenly chosen to stay at home. But in the little time that she has been home she feels, WORTHLESS. Her home isn't satisfying her. Why? Because her worth is in her Paycheck. 

Sitting in a Starbucks with my little pink Mac Book Pro last week in my carpi's and a sweatshirt. This very attractive young lady with long brown locks perfectly curled, A tan pencil skirt and nude high heels with a black blouse, absolute perfectly coordinated outfit, walks in. She is at the top of her game! Professional, beautiful, slim and ready to take on the world.

For a moment I felt that feeling of worthlessness creep in, saying;

When was the last time you looked like that?

What important client did you meet with recently?

And then the kicker, (and this one takes my breath away): These are the kinds of women your husband sees everyday! 

I read today in the Huffington Post that moms that stay at home are more likely to be angry and depressed than mothers that work outside the home. It went on to say that formal employment or at least the income associated with it has emotional benefits for mothers which in turn benefits the kids.

Holy smokes, one discouragement after another!  I could really let this get me down if I wanted to. Especially since I have not been gainfully employed in 22 years.

Especially since I have no kids to parent anymore and no "real job" at least not one that pulls in a paycheck.

My worth, thank the Lord, is not tied into these things or these emotions.

 Does it get me down from time to time? Yes, of course there is nothing the enemy loves more than to defeat you with your own family.

Causing you to question and then resent anything and everything you do, with and for them.Making you feel worthless.

It is his best ammunition. If he can defeat you with your own family he wins big time! He gets you and your family!!!! 

Be the gatekeeper of your home and DO NOT ALLOW THESE THOUGHTS TO HUNT YOU DOWN!

You are raising the next generation of great leaders, business men and women, doctors, lawyers, artists, nanny's, Mom's and Dad's!!

If you are raising them in a defeated attitude then neither you or the ones you're raising up will ever recognize their worth or where that worth comes from! A most high God who loves them and has called them! 

Be encouraged today to stick with it! It's a high call that you have been given! Don't let anyone, and I mean anyone, minimize your life as a stay at home mom! 

Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect!!!! 

SEE YOU WIN! 

9-11 Now and Forever

On 9-11 I am always reminiscent of the events of that fateful day. We as a country saw things we

thought we would never see in our lifetime. We all recall where we were when we saw the events that took place. I was delivering gym shoes to my Jr. high school son when I saw the T.V.'s in the office. Never imagining that son would travel to Afghanistan to fight in the war that would follow those events.
FAST FORWARD 12 years to 9-11, 2013

 I cannot help but think of the night Jon left for Afghanistan. It was 4 years ago tonight that we waited for our son's phone call to say good-bye to us before he left.
The call came. We were standing in the middle of our living room where so many family events and memories had taken place.
This was one I will never forget.
This was probably the most difficult night of my life. We talked for about 10 minutes and we all could feel the conversation coming to an end. We had Jon on speaker phone and I looked across the kitchen island at Kevin, my hands trembling, lips quivering and the conversation was over. I said to Kevin, "I can't push end. I can't breath!"
Hyperventilating, I walked to the sliding glass door and pretended to let the dog out. I walked out on to the deck.
The night was warm and the sky was perfectly clear. I looked to the west sky and hoped in some way that my heart felt love would be enveloped in the stars and somehow Jon would see them and feel it too. I sat on the steps of our deck and sobbed. I cried from somewhere so deep inside me, it hurt me physically. I literally could not breath. Kevin tried to snap me out of the fear that was entangling me. But it had a hold on me. I couldn't stop crying. The,what if's and the unknown's were consuming my spirit.
Kevin took me by the shoulders and said, "stop it Jenni your son is a Marine. he is ready for this and God has him in the palm of his hand."
I knew it was true and felt comforted for a moment but the waves of emotion kept coming like a flood. Then in my mind I remembered that I dedicated Jon to Lord when he was a baby. I needed to do it again. He was never mine to begin with. God gave him to me and entrusted him to me for a short time. To develop a man that would fight for the freedoms of this great country.
I did my job, its time for Jon to do his.
Peace swept over me. I felt like I was sitting in the cleft of the Rock. Protected. Peaceful. Powerless. It was then that I began to see, this deployment was meant for ME to grow.
I saw a warrior on the inside of my closed eyes. I know that He equips the called and Jon was indeed, called.
Peace. Floods of Peace came over me.
I wish I could say that I rested in that Peace for the duration of the 7 month deployment, but I did not. My faith was shaken many times by news stories or a discouraging phone call from Jon. 
But, I can say that God's faithfulness never changed. He had plans to for Jon. Plans to give him hope and a future and not to harm him!! 
Here we are on the eve of 9-11-2013 and my family is safe in their beds. 
As I wrap up this writing I am reminded not only of the events of 9-11 and the sacrifices of many for this country. But I am reminded and will never forget, God's goodness and faithfulness to me and my family! I do not deserve his hand of favor but I believe it is on this family and I will not be like those before me who forgot God's hand on them and lost their way. (Israelites)  I see his hand in everything we do. I am so grateful for a God who sees me as valuable even in my worst state and takes me under his wing for rest.  So I will always remember what he has done for me and the sacrifice he gave for me. 

So while I thank my son and those who fight for our freedom here on earth and realize I can never repay them for all they have done.
I thank also, my God who is my rock and my salvation. Who gives me freedom from all things everyday and I realize I can never repay Him. 
The great thing is neither one requires it. 
So I will serve both with gratitude and gratefulness and give my life in honor of theirs. 
But thank my God in whom I trust for eternal life and eternal freedom! 

Whirl Wind

Monday June 3rd 2013 Is a day that will live with me forever. 

A day that brought us the greatest joy since our kids were born.

Our incredible son and daughter-in-law gave us our very first Grandson!
 I am flooded with love and connection with this tiny little boy.
Cole Hunter came into this world at or around 7:20 pm  weighing a mere 6 pounds 7 ounces.

To see my son and the way he looked at his son with all the hopes and dreams wrapped up in this little bundle of boy, was truly and incredible sight.






Still very surreal to be called Grandma and Grandpa but I wouldn't trade it for anything! This is the best of both worlds.
Hold them
Snuggle them
Love them
Have a blast with them
Read To them

SPOIL THEM
Then send them home
All the fun without the responsibility.





But, Grandpa and I do feel a great responsibility to Cole, to be Godly examples. To teach him why we love Jesus so he will one day love him too.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth!

Cole Hunter I make you these promises.

I will always love you!

I will always hug you, (even when you think you're to cool to hug your G-ma when you're a teenager!)

Every moment with you is priceless and I will always treasure our time together.

I will do my level headed best to show you how cool Jesus is so you will love him like I do one day!

There's just one more thing, I promise the cookie jar will always be full! 

I can't promise you that I will have baked them always, but the jar will be full! (as soon as you have teeth!!)

 We love you Cole Hunter Bettelli we are so blessed that God gave you to us.

You are truly a gift that we will always treasure!  

The Last Bird

All of the sudden it hit me.

All of my kids are adults and out of school.

My responsibilities have diminished significantly.

I began thinking what this means and came up with a “short” list that goes something like this:

I will never shop for school supplies again. (for my kids)

I will never run to the bus stop because we’re running late.

I will never tie another shoe and look like a genius to my kids.

I will never have a late night run to the grocery store for Lunchable's and pudding packs for the field trip.

I will never sign another permission slip.

I will never hear, “ Mom, can you wash this so I can wear it tomorrow?” (At 10:30 pm!)

I will never have to run gym shoes to the school so they won’t get detention.

I will never have to go to conferences EVER again!

I will never make another brown bag lunch with a little love note in it.

I will never plan another school party.

I will never have to run to the 24 hour Walgreen's at 11 pm because someone needs Tag Board for a school project.

I will never write another check for school pictures. (oh wait!!!)

I will never watch another one of my kids in a school play.

I will never again help build Rome in a night!!! ( 5^Th Grade Rome project)

I will never get another call from the school nurse!

I will never have to call the school nurse to tell her they won’t be there.

I will never have to sit in the carpool line!

I will never have the smell of water logged cleats in my car!

I will never feel guilty for throwing away a peanut Butter sculpture that is unidentifiable but I love it because you made it!!!!

It may seem silly to think of these things as my last child graduated high school in June.

But I really feel like I just lost my job.

I feel a little purposeless.

I have no idea what I am going to do when I grow up!

As friends were questioning my daughter as to what her plans for the fall were, at her graduation party.  I was thinking to myself, what are my plans?

What do I want to do?

Where is my future headed?

Sound a little selfish? Not at all, I have worked at home for 23 years.

My pension is watching my kids flourish.

Seeing them grow beyond who they thought they could be.

What greater reward is there?

So, as I embark on my new season of life. I have to ask myself, What do I want to do? What is most important to me? What am I passionate about?

Then there is a silence. There is nothing I can even think of that I would want to do? I have lived my life for my family and they are my career.

Many thoughts of what I would like to do come to mind but what God wants of me is greater and sometimes harder to hear. So I will wait.

But as I watch my last little bird fly. My throat has a little lump in it. It's getting harder to swallow and tears are filling my eyes. 

I could pat myself on the back because this has not been an easy endeavor but through prayer, love and trust in the Lord, I am done with this season. Never to return.

But, new things will come and I wait with anxious anticipation. 

Congratulations to my sweet Kelsey. I love you with all my heart, to the moon and back! INFINITY! 

Photo A Day In May - Day 30

There is something very surreal sitting in a preschool graduation watching all the parents react as their graduate walks in the room. 

Their sweet little caps and gowns and beaming faces. So proud of their accomplishments and rather enjoying the attention of the cameras and phones taking pictures and video. 

As I watched the darling little teachers run the program  for their adorable preschoolers my mind came back to reality. Oh my goodness that teacher is my baby girl! 

She should be donning the blue cap and gown and toothless grin and yet somehow she is standing in front of the class leading them as their teacher!

Katie I am so proud of you. As I watch you work with these kids your hard work, hard days and unbelievable creativity and compassion as well as your undeniable dedication to each child, is simply amazing! 

You are a gift to these kids and their parents and you are a gift to our family!

you are an awesome young woman and a GREAT TEACHER KATIE!!! 

Just a sample of Katie's creativity here with Swiss cake rolls that look like diplomas! 

What a yummy idea! 

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY - Day 29

We went to get ice cream and ended up going to SUPER AMERICA for Coke ICEE'S and as I am looking at this picture I realize we have one rogue Mtn. Dew Icee!! 

I love my family and the simple fun we have together. 

There will be many more Coke/Mtn. Dew Icee runs this summer and I love it!!! 

                                    

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY - Day 28!!

At this point on day 28 I am glad we are nearing the end of photo a day in May this year. I'm sure you are too.
I really thought, first of all that Spring has so much to offer I shouldn't be at a loss for pictures, and then the fact that my Grand baby was due last Saturday, gave me reason to fully anticipate many photo opportunities!!

However, things are not working out that way this year. No baby and no sunshine to be able to be out and about this spring has put a damper on my Photo a Day In May!

Today's photo is more of a commercial than anything else. (I am grasping at straws here people)

 Even though there has been more rain this spring than we got all last summer, my allergies have been very intense.
I had decided last summer that I would only take something like Allegra if I absolutely couldn't stand it.
Well this year has been tough.
Most of the time I wake up coughing like an emphysema patient.

One day I mentioned that my allergies were kicking my butt this year, to my chiropractor and she said I should try these herbs!
I was like, really? Herbs? Allegra barely touches it when I take it what in the world will a bunch of random herbs be able to do? Needless to say I was skeptical, but I bought them anyway.

I am here to tell you that within 24 hours I was about 80% better!! I couldn't believe it.
I was so skeptical that I honestly thought I had just flushed $28 dollars down the toilet!
I am here to tell you that I have been suffering with the constant inability to clear my throat for nearly 4 years due to allergies.
Nothing touched it until these!


You have to chew them up a bit before you swallow them and because they have cayenne pepper in them they are a bit peppery. But they are worth it! Chew them with your front teeth so it doesn't get stuck in your deep back teeth. And for heaven's sakes don't plug your nose to try an eliminate the taste like I did.
I tried it and nearly maced myself to death due to the Cayenne! It was hilarious!
You will not regret buying these! They are not a cure all for allergy sufferer's but they got rid of most of mine and I no longer have the clearing throat problem!!!

Totally worth every penny!!! TRY IT!!!!!!!