One Week at a Time..

It seems that with my new work schedule, I have gone from "taking it one day at a time" to "one week at a time". Even though I usually get out of school by 2:30pm, I feel like I have missed the day. I really miss my time with Katy (yes, I realize I have the afternoon with her, but it is different). I really enjoyed getting up with her and making her breakfast, then actually EATING with her. Now I am so busy getting ready that she eats alone :( (I am getting ready in the bathroom that is just off of the kitchen, so I can actually talk to her and watch her, but its different than sitting and talking). I also miss getting her dressed for the day and taking her to the grocery store (yes I know that sounds silly, but I really miss doing our shopping in the morning when there aren't too many other people in the store), or to the park or library. We also used to have lots of playdates in the mornings and afternoons....now we are doing good to fit in one afternoon a week with a few of our close friends. :( I really had a hard time on Friday (yesterday) when I called home at lunch time to talk to her. She got on the phone with her sweet little voice ( I wish it could stay like this forever) and was saying how she missed me and what all she was doing while I was at work...then she goes "Mommy back soon"....it was all I could do to pull myself together and say "yes, baby, mommy come home after your nap". I got off the phone and had a few tears. I really tried to stay composed. It was hard. It is hard. I just hate being away from my baby. What is so wrong with that? I love my kid. I like her, too! :) For now, though, I know that God has given me an opportunity to bring home some extra money for my family while doing something I love...teaching. I am blessed to have a job just down the street working with my best friend and a good friend from church, one that allows me to be home at 2:30. I know many moms dont even get home until 6 or 6:30, so I am really blessed. I also know that He has called me to be a great witness of His love for the little boy that I am working with at school. This boy is so sweet and has just had a REALLY tough life. I am actually surprised at how many of the students have terrible home life. It is just so sad. My heart breaks several times a day. I am just glad the Father gives me strength to continue. My goal for each day is to go in and pray for these little children and to really encourage them and pour into them all that I can while I am with them. I pray that the Lord will open conversations and opportunities for me to share Him with others. This is just a season in my life, while perhaps a little uncomfortable, when the Lord has given me a purpose greater than myself, when He has called me to show even a fraction of the love that Katy receives daily, to even just one of these little ones that have already--in just 10 short years--seen more than their share of heartache. I am honored to be used by the Lord...I just need to remind myself of this more often, I think. God is so good, and He is way too big for me to keep all to myself. Thank you Lord for insight and purpose. You are an awesome God!

On a lighter note, here a couple pictures of Katy from this week. Oh...and being that my life is seeming to go by in weeks now, I will probably be updating this blog on Sat mornings now. (Unless something big happens)....so, enjoy! :)

Katy trying on a coat and some boots that Nana bought her. Yup..there it is...the Katy "eyes closed smile" This girl!! What a ham!!
Katy's new after school routine "come home, get a bowl of "yogos" (which we call candy..cause they practically are) and watch Max and Ruby on the couch with Mommy! (uh..and occasionally pose for pictures on the porch--of course!)
"Glad to be home...even if Mom just wants to take my picture!!"
Singing the "good morning" song she learned at school! :) This is soo cute!!