Balance

Oh my-vacation was wonderful-how I miss thee vacation! We had such a great time, not only in Orlando, but also in North Carolina! As many of you know, I was there taking part in a training for an AP class I will be teaching next year. Not only was the training terrific, but Luke, Liam and I had the opportunity to see so many friends and family. It truly was refreshing!

On our way up, we stopped in Charlotte to visit our friends Jess and Jay. It was so good to catch up with them. How we have missed them! While in Winston-Salem we also had the opportunity to visit April and her family, Luke's sister Leslie, and John, Jaya, and Miah. It was just so refreshing to see and catch up with friends and family that we have not talked to in forever. Mainly due to just being plain busy!

While there, Luke and I also had the opportunity to check out Duke University, Wake Forest University, and UNC. Yes, Luke and I are nerds-we take great pleasure in checking out Universities. I will say this, Duke University is BEAUTIFUL! We actually were able to get into the gymnasium where Liam had multiple pictures taken of him. I have to admit-there is just something about academics that attracts Luke and I. I guess it's no wonder that we are working within the academic realm.

Now that we are back from vacation, we are back into the swing of life. One area that I have really been thinking about is balance-how do I possibly balance everything that is on my plate? I'm not sure why I've been thinking about this so much, but it has consistently been on my mind.

How do I balance being a working mother who not only gives 100% to her job, but also gives 100% to being a mommy and a wife? How do I balance working on and completing my doctorate while also, desiring to blog more, write more, speak more, etc.? How do I read the three books that I have required my students to read over the summer? How do I find the time to allow myself to dream the dreams that God has planted in my life and in turn, give time and effort to those dreams? How do I balance all of these things while also giving God my absolute best, always being completely devoted to Him?

So yes, as you can see, I've been thinking a lot about balance. Really, I don't think there is any magical formula when it comes to balancing your life, but there is one thing that I do know. What I do know is that in the past when I have given God the number one priority in my life-meaning, giving Him the best part of my day, giving Him time over everything else in life, somehow, I end up having enough time to accomplish everything else on my "To Do List" while also being a great mom and wife.

So, what I have come to realize is that if I truly want to be the best mom, wife, employer, Life Coach, Writer, Speaker, Teacher, Dreamer, and God Follower, I must not forsake my God. He must be my number one priority. When He is my priority, everything else will fall into place. Here's to a week of balance! How do you balance everything that takes place in your life?

Catch-up

My gosh-where has the time gone? I feel like I'm always repeating these words! Hard to believe that my last post was in January! Lots has happened since then!

As many of you already know-I went back to work in January. While it was hard to leave my little guy, it was also comforting to know that family would be watching him. It's been a good transition.

It's been good to be back a work. Any of you that know me, know that I really enjoy my work and in turn, truly feel that it is a calling. God has truly given me a peace about being a working mother. Now with that said, it's not always easy and there are times that I do feel some mommy guilt-but I also know that God has placed me where I am for such a time as this and in turn, I am where I am supposed to be. Besides, there is nothing better than picking up my little boy at the end of the work day and seeing his smiling little face when he sees me walk through the door. Nothing compares to that!

Liam is officially 8-months old already! What a journey it has been. I will admit-the hardest thing for me is the sleep deprivation that comes at times. It's so hard for me when Liam decides to wake up multiple times throughout the night. Kinda like he did the other night while being on vacation. No kidding-he woke up every hour! I thought I was going to die! I know that this too shall pass, but let me tell you, it's been the hardest part of being a mommy. Thank goodness I have a husband who is wonderful and allows me to nap while he watches the little stinker!

It's been a great journey as both Luke and I learn all about baby stuff-feedings, sleeping, balancing work and family, etc. I wonder if the second baby will be easier? Probably not-each child has a personality of their own. Speaking of baby number two-no, Luke and I are not pregnant, but we do want to have another child-sooner rather than later. If I can just get the last 10 pounds off from my pregnancy with Liam, then yes, we will most likely try again!

As I write this, Luke and I are on vacation and oh, it feels so good! I desperately needed one! We are staying at a time share in Orlando (it was the only place we could find one) and basically, doing whatever we want! It's been wonderful! On Friday, we pack up and leave for North Carolina. I will spend the week in training for a new AP course I will be teaching next year. My prayer is that Liam will cooperate while on the trip there. He really does not like his car seat and being confined! I don't have to be in NC until Sunday, so, we just plan on taking our time getting there!

On another side note-in July I am attending the She Speak conference in North Carolina! I am SO EXCITED! I have really wanted to attend this conference for some time, and I finally get to do it! I will be attending with a new friend from church while also meeting up with a friend from college! I will attending seminars on speaking and writing and will actually have the opportunity to meet with one or two publishers. I'm really hoping and praying that God will allow me to make some contacts and in turn, will continue to reveal to me what He has in store for my life.

As many of you know, my hearts desire is to not only write, but to also share with women of all ages, what God has done in my life and what He continues to show me. I would love nothing more than to be a published speaker and in turn, have the opportunity to speak all over the world. I continue to pray that the Lord would open the right doors and that His timing would be perfect. We will see!

Lastly, I had some recent changes take place with my dissertation. If you have talked with me lately or read my Facebook page, you have probably noticed my frustration with my dissertation chair and the confusion he was basically causing me in addition to extending the dissertation process for me. Well, I recently found out that he was FIRED! While I think the man was probably a good man, I have to say, he was not a great dissertation chair. I truly do wish him the best, but at the same time, I'm happy to know that the frustration and such that I was feeling, was perfectly normal-he was not doing what he needed to do. So, I now have a new chair and committee member and it looks like things are going to be good. I can only hope!

Ok, That should do it! I do hope to keep up with this blog much more often! Be sure to check out my coaching blog-that one I am much more consistent on! :)