just some words of advice.

"Take risks. Big risks. Smart risks. I’m not talking about drunk driving or running naked in the snow, I’m talking about going out on a limb to achieve your goals. I’m talking about venturing into unknown territory with no safety net, no fallback plan, no cushion, and nobody holding your hand. You’ll never do anything important if you care more about having fun and being comfortable. Period. It won’t happen. There’s time for fun and comfort, but not now. Not when we’re young and have so much to do. I don’t say this because I’m some huge success story; I say it because I’m not. Not yet, anyway. I say it because I’m in the thick of it, too. I say it because my heart breaks every time I meet a person younger than me who has no ambition. So often I speak to someone like this, they tell me what they want to do in life, I tell them, “well, go do it then,” and they come back with the “yeah, but..”

Stop it.

No buts. Nobody cares about your excuses. Move across the country if you have to. Live out of your car if it’s necessary. Work six jobs if that’s what it takes. Eat one meal a day if it comes to that. Do what needs to be done. STOP FOLLOWING THE PATH THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE LAID FOR YOU. Blaze your own trail. Make a sacrifice. Struggle. Sweat. Fail. Suffer. Do it now. Now’s the time. Especially if you aren’t even married and you don’t have kids. Why in the world are you sitting around? What are you waiting for? There’s absolutely nothing stopping you from chasing big things. Nothing."

~Matt Walsh

These are the words from a man who is about ten years younger than me whom I have admired for the past six months. Reading his blog has given me a lot of insight to many issues. Sometimes we can learn a few valuable things from the younger generation, and I have to admit that Matt Walsh is one of them. 

So heed the words of his advice. 

And these are mine...

You are so young, and have so much to look forward to. There are so many things that I missed out on as a youth. Things that you have, that i was unfortunate to learn, & grow up with. A talent with music that you have been blessed with like no other. (Gosh I wish I learned how to play the piano.) Even though you won't be homeless I want you to be independent and learn to do things on your own. Even though you've already lived in familiar territory I want you to act "as if" you've never been out west before. I'm not a well known blogger, but i feel that everything I have written thus far on my little blog are honest, and true. Things that have been repressed in my mind for many years that I was willing to share with the world (or whoever reads this)...but most of all you. 

The past 18 and half years of raising you has been fairly easy. We've had our ups and downs, but please know that those downers we had were moments of motherhood. I treated you in strictness because I love you. It's that simple. I was a mother first, and your friend second. Love. Go out and conquer the world. Make new friends. Find the old ones you left behind years ago. Learn how to ski. Spend a lot of time with grandma and grandpa. Enjoy your youth, and the time spent with your relatives. Life is too short. I don't ever want you to leave with an uneasiness or unhappy feeling like I did with my mom when I first moved across the country. I want you to carry that happiness wherever you go. I want to be able to know that your intentions are true, and that this decision is the best for you. 

Let your burdens be light by living your values, keeping your morals high, and lose yourself with God, and his gospel. When times get tough, and i mean really tough...lose yourself in service. Help your neighbors, & babysit. Sometimes when you're around small children they tend to get your mind off the hard things. Don't ever lose sight of what's important. Keep in touch with your sisters, and little Noah. For they will grow up way too quick, and perhaps be taller than you! 

Love, love, love. Fellowship. Fellowship. Fellowship. Be fearless, and bold in a loving manner. Always be tactful. Be the one who stands out as you walk into church, and school. Hold your head up high with humbleness ready to serve, love, and make more friends. 

I have faith in you. You're going to do great. God Bless you, and good luck in all that you do. Especially with school, and in growing up to be one of the most successful people i know you can be. 

xo, 
mom

We'll be okay.

Heavenly Father puts us on a path we thought we'd never be in. Leading somewhat of a nomadic life for the past 18 and a half years those paths we have crossed have been life changing, and life learning. There will never be a perfect path, but as a family we have always managed to make the best of every place we have lived in. 

The best. 

One thing I have learned throughout the years is no matter how hard we try our lives will never be perfect. They can be good, but never perfect.

After nine and a half years of working for AT&T my husband lost his job. The day he was let go we didn't sob or fight, panic or curse. Instead we talked about what the next step is going to be in the new chapter regarding our future.

Jon had a love for the company and all that it stood for, but lately the company has made a lot of changes within the sales department and I can tell that Jon wasn't as gung ho as he used to be. 

Nonetheless he persevered, and continued to work because he is hardworking, and believes in providing for his family. Most of all I believe he stayed because he loves people. He loves the clients that he had, and the people that he worked with.

Long before this all went down I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that he was going to come home from work early one day, or text me letting me know that he heard those four dreadful words...we're letting you go. 

I was prepared. I was ready. With four kids to raise, and my oldest going off to college soon life must go on. No matter what life throws at us we know that we have our health, great kids, wonderful friends near and far, and family who is there to lend a helping hand.

Living in New Jersey for the past five years we have endured challenges, adjustments, trials both great and small, and heartaches. There's been sadness, loss of loved ones, tears of joy, and drama. The kind of drama you wish you never want to be a part of which is inevitable sometimes, but learn to suck it up, love and forgive. 

Love...and...Forgive.

For some of us all these experiences can take a toll on a family, and a trying process for some to inhale, hence giving up on God, and life itself. 

I call them blessings in disguise. The kind that we tolerate as a family because we know that The Lord will never leave our side. We rely on the faith that we carry, and our testimonies of the Savior. The love of our children, but most of all I rely on the love that I carry in my heart knowing that as long as I have faith we will be okay. 

There have been times where we've even felt alone. Luckily we have our church family to rely on at times, and a few friends to uplift us with treats from our lovely neighbors Janet, & Tanika, and homegrown vegetables from Linda and Jay. 

We can dream of our lives being perfect by striving to perfection. But you know what...I don't want to become weary by striving for perfection. I just want to live the life that we are building as a family with peace, and be a good example to others. The kind that I have been doing for the past 18 and a half years. I want to live happily, and with the "good" kind of worrying, not the "poor me" kind.  

I don't think we'll ever achieve that "solid perfected happiness"  but as long as our hearts grow big with love, and we continue to do our very best in living a happy, and normal life with God constantly being in our lives life can be good. 

I personally love change, and was looking forward to starting anew in the New England area before school started, but time wasn't on our side. After much praying, and acting upon our answer we've decided to stay in Jersey until The Lord tells us its time to move on.

I honestly look forward to more challenges. You may be thinking, "girl you're crazy, and asking "why do you want challenges?" My answer is simply this...because for most of my life I've had many, and till this day they have only made me stronger. It defines me who I am today, and I am grateful for the life that I am living.

I know there is a reason why we are still here, and that there is something out there better for Jon. Better for us. Although he would like to start working again, he is taking advantage of the time we have together as a family. 

We are going to make these last two weeks of summer count together before Sierra leaves for college, before the rest of the kids start school, and before he begins another adventure with a new job. 

I know that we'll be okay!

And...

Hope this week treats you well.