Nobody ever said it would be easy...

So, I was inspired to go public with some thoughts I've had because of the sweet gal over at this blog: www.thepurvisfam.blogspot.com

Reading her post about being a SAHM was like reading the thoughts from my very own mind.

Being a stay-at-home mom is the hardest job in the world. It requires so much work, and gets so little appreciation at times. It is very much a self-sacrifice. I know that mom's who work sacrifice alot too. But staying at home often times means alot of lonliness, and no adult interaction. It's so funny that I could love staying at home so much, and at the same time I have days when it gets on my nerves!!

I have my "good times" when all I feel is great appreciation to the Lord and my husband for allowing me to stay home. Then I have those "not so good days" when I am very lonely. And I hate to stay it, but I also have those days when I feel like I just want to go back to work simply to have money to buy shoes. It's true. I tend to look at what other people have. Even though those people have two incomes...two VERY NICE incomes. Don't get me wrong, I get to buy shoes. I mean, what would life be without fabulous shoes right?! But, it's those times when I have to say "no" to myself because the family needs something. When I know without doubt that with that income I used to have, there wouldn't be any "no's."

Those are the days when I am being selfish. I know what really matters. The sacrifices I've made both personally and financhially will always outway what I've given up.

So, here's a little "something" I wrote a few months ago on one of those "bad days." I was feeling down...and I was sick and tired of feeling that way! I sat at the kitchen table with some paper and a pen and began to write what I felt in my heart.. I then put it on my fridge so that I could read it when "one of those days" came about:

When you are feeling lonely and feel as though you have no purpose, remember:
~God's plan for me is totally different than His plan for someone else.
~Quit looking at what others have, do, or "seem" to feel. Their life is not mine.
~I am choosing to raise my kids! The hardest job in the world is this.
~This job earns no pay but reaps rewards greater that I can see.
~I cannot get these young years back. Soon, they will be grown and not require all my love and attention. I will miss these years...

...and by then, it will not have mattered that we had more money, a nicer house or car, or that we payed off debt faster. What will have mattered are the memories that we've made. And the satisfaction of knowing that nobody else raised my children. The satisfaction of no regrets. No amount of money can replace that peace.

Blessings,
A grateful and blessed SAHM

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Momma is the nurse...

Hi there friends! I hope you are all doing well. Here in the Marquez Casa we have a sick little one. Britton is not feeling well. We took him to the doctor yesterday and they said he has a virus. It's funny how that's all they can seem to tell you. My husband always nags me because I take them to the doctor when they have a fever...but, I like to be safe and not sorry. I mean, that's what insurance is for honey!!

I have spent pretty much my entire day working. Unpackaging products, labeling them, adding them to the website and so on... it's alot of work but it's totally me and oh so fun.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday! Have any of you guys finished your Christmas shopping? I've started but haven't finished yet. I never know what to get my Dad...he's the HARDEST person to buy for. He always tells me that he wants "socks and undewear." How boring! We'll see what I can find for him.

Well, I'm off to finish work. I might be back later with another post. It all depends on how much work I can get done.

Until then, I'll leave you with some pictures of some seriously adorable baby booties! Available at www.jackandcoledesigns.com for only $15.00! Blessings my friends!

Pre-sale orders for Spring have begun!!

Here are some photos of the new designs for Spring 2009!! Pre-sales have begun at www.jackandcoledesigns.com! Get these while you can! Any questions please e-mail me at JackandColeDesigns@yahoo.com! Blessings!

What is her worth?

What is the worth of the special young lady in your life? It could be your daughter, your niece, your sister, your aunt, your friend.. she's young, trying to be hip and find herself in this horrible world we live in where young girls are made to feel like they aren't good enough the way God created them.

I took Shelby and Savannah to this last year. It was SO WORTH it. I attend the Women of Faith conference each year with the gals from our church. This is a spinoff of that for younger girls.

Read below. This statement by MTV should be enough to cause us NOT to support them whatsoever. I haven't been a fan of MTV in years. I don't watch that channel. I refuse to support it. I don't have a daughter but I do care about the young generation of girls who hate who they are because they aren't like the girls on MTV.

Click HERE.

MY VERY FIRST BLOG AWARD!!!

That's right. I have my very first blog award! I am so pumped it's ridiculous. My dear, sweet bloggin' sista' Angie graced me with this award. Thanks Angie! You are the sweetest! Angie is what I call, "A sista' after my own heart." She has the sweetest spirit, kindest heart, and a seriously "RAWKIN" eye for fashion. She loves just about all the same things I love: Her Lord, her kiddos, her hubby, ZEBRA PRINT, B-L-I-N-G, turquoise and wings just to name a few. It's funny because she'll post a fabulous find or something that she bought or likes and I always find myself saying, "I totally would buy that too!!"




it is in spanish...
and if I'm not mistaken, it translates to
Red Hot Smokin' Blogger :)

Seriously... the translation for this award states:
This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

With that being said, I choose the following:

Angie--for her Christ-like spirit and kindness to all.

Mandy--for being such a sweet friend, a woman I admire for her servant heart to her Lord.

HipMomofBoys--Because I hope that one day, I too can be a Hip Mom of all these boys!!

BrownEyedFox--I wish I had her creative eye!!

DancingQueen--I j
just love her! Her blog and her family are so precious!!

Jamie--A wonderful wife and mother; prayer warrior. She is inspiring.

BethMoore--need I say more?

Rach--she has FOUR girls!! One set of twins! Can we say SUPERMOM?!

Thanks again Angie for this award! I feel honored!!

Three weeks from today...

is Christmas Eve!

I get so excited this time of year. I love everything surrounding this season. Yes, I love the Christmas tree, the ornaments, the decorations, the music in the stores, the overall "niceness" of the people around.. but more importantly, I love what this season really means. The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, I do dislike how "comercialized" this season has become. But in my heart, I know what this season truly means. And just because other people in our world want to take the focus off of Jesus doesn't mean that we as Christians can't enjoy all the festivities of Christmas.

I find myself looking into the sky at night, looking at the stars(what few we actually have in our smog filled city), and thinking about THAT STAR, the one that those three wise men followed to find THE KING. Wow. How awesome that must have been.



Yes I love all the ideas and fun that is wrapped up in Santa Claus. I want my boys to feel the excitement of Christmas because "Santa is coming," but mainly because without Christ, there would be no celebration of Christmas, no reason to hang the wreath, no joy, no hope.

I am so thankful for our Saviour's birth. In the hustle and bussle of this season, I wonder, what will I give Jesus for Christmas? What do you give the person who has everything? The bible says that, "He owns the cattle on a thousand hills." Everything belongs to Him. The money that we call "ours" is His, the homes that we so glady claim are "ours' are His...all His. I think this year, I will try to concentrate on giving Him more thankfullness, submission and appreciation for all He has done.

What about you?

We had a great Thanksgiving!!

*****Update again! Check out Tasha's blog for a SUPER, SUPER deal on sessions!! www.homeshade.com

***Update: Ok, I'm new to blogger, so I don't quite have all of this down yet. I treid to do a hyper link for Angie and Tasha's blogs and it didn't work. So, if you are wanting to check either of them out, here is the info: Angie Seaman Photography blog : http://www.angieseamanphotography.blogspot.com/, and Tasha's is http://www.homeshade.com/. Anyone wanna give me lessons on blogging? LOL.

Hi folks! I hope you all had a wonderful and BLESSED Thanksgiving holiday! We all have many things to be grateful for. I know I do for sure. We had dinner at our house this year. Everything went well and was very yummy. I got to make the desserts. I loved that. They were quite yummy I might say! We took lots of pictures.. here are just a few:

My niece Shelby helping me make Pumpkin/Gingerbread Truffle!!

The table. And Yes those are Christmas lights on the ceiling. The kiddos wanted to be "festive."

Eating...

My brother's wife, Gail.

Bubba and Gail...

Bryce and Uncle Scott

The kids and my brother. He's a BIG kid!

My boys. LOVE Britton's face! Hah!

My mom...she didn't want her picture taken.

My daddy. I love him so much!

The food. It was so good.

Shelby, Tristan and Britton (he eats SO slow).

Gail and Tristan..

My brother and the girls!

Me and Hubby!

Oh, and a quick "shout out" to my bloggin' sista, Angie! She is a sweet gal I met through this glorious thing we call Blogging World. She reminds me of me in alot of ways...we both like alot of the same things. She has taught me many new words such as "RAWK", pronounced, "Rock." I love the way she spells it. Angie has a fantastic online boutique with children's clothing, jewelry, home decor and some other really fantastic things. But recently she has started her own photography business! Good luck Angie, we are rooting for your success! If you're ever in Indy, give Angie a call for pictures. You should check out my pal Tasha's blog and view her pictures. She'll inspire you! Her work is amazing as well. If you are in Texas, check out Homeshade Phtography for all your photography needs. Anyhow, Angie I saw some super cute things that totally made me think of you! Some "beachy" decor for your house! If you have a Kirkland's up there in Indy, you should go check them out! If you don't, I could always ship these items to you. I think both of these items were like $12.99! Can't beat that price!! The photo frame is HUGE. It would be a great presence in your living room. I took these pictures in the store and I think people thought I was weird. My husband was cracking up at me.

I LOVE, LOVE this one...

And finally, today is December 1st!! I get so excited this time of year to celebrate the birth of our Lord! My house is filled with the scent of Christmas Cookie! I love this candle!

I hope you are all having a wonderful day! It's chilly here. I hope it snows again like it did a few years ago. And when I say snow I mean at least enough to make a snowball!

Blessings,

Rachel