Peanut Butter or Jelly?

     Peanut Butter or Jelly? Ham or the Cheese? Ever feel like you're sandwiched in between something? I do.
     In this whirlwind of life with school, doctors appointments, t-ball practice or games, anything that goes on in life, and yet in the middle of two pieces of bread. Parents and kids.
     It's called the sandwich generation... Where as two young adults, try to battle with children and their parents. Aging parents are like children, they need your attention just like your own child. I'm starting to think that I'm raising 12 children instead of 3. This is including Derrick's parents. I understand that as we get older our bodies and minds deteriorate and we become children again. It's just a lot to balance. Between taking this parent here, or getting that parent from there, it puts a strain on a relationship. This is what we are dealing with, and if you're not already, then get ready. It wears on me because I see the stress that Derrick is going through on a daily basis, having to worry about what his parents need. They call all day needing something. Now don't get me wrong, I'm so glad that he can be there for them and help, and especially having the willingness to want to do it, I admire. But, where's time for our family? I dislike not being able to see him or the children not being able to, because he is gone.
      Then I wonder about me. Where are my priorities? Am I giving time to where it's needed? Am I spending enough time with my children, or are they playing with each other most of the time? The answer is: needs improvement. I find myself wondering a lot lately about how things that are going on in my life correlate to what goes on with my relationship with God. Am I that sandwiched between life, that I'm not making time for Him? Yes. And we can all make excuses. We're too busy, or I need more hours in the day. We've all done it, I'm definitely to blame. God wants us to be sandwiched in Him. He's the Jelly, all the sweet, juicy things in life. We're the peanut butter, the sticky mess that is full of nuts and impurities.
      Did Jesus get so involved in life that He didn't make time for His own Father? No. I'm sure Jesus had His sandwich moments. Being stuck in the wilderness being tempted by the Devil. If that's not sandwiched, I don't know what is. He was stuck, not eating nor drinking anything for forty days. He was sandwiched between doing what was right, or choosing to do what was wrong.
     We are all just like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. What will you do to keep from getting stuck?
      James 1: 2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1-11-11

     It is the first day of my blogging journey. One of my best friends talked me into it...No better way to start something new than on 1-11-11, also the first birthday of my daughter, Elizabeth.  So here the adventure begins with lots of tears, laughter, love, and hurt. I pray that God helps me in the words to say so that my experiences will help others. I have been through alot with my husband, Derrick ,of 7 years. Anyone you ask would say that we've been through more than most couples would go through in a lifetime together. I will explain in depth on a later post. Just for now, I'm letting you know a little about me, the person behind the words.
     I am a stay at home mom of 4 beautiful children. Only 3 are living children, but I never leave out the one who's not here with us today. I'll go into more detail on my angel Leah at a later date. I own my own business and my hubby works a full time job, not saying that being a mom isn't full time :) We manage. Things are tight with 3 children and only one full time income but we seem to do ok. We are a typical family, nothing special. Our family consists of, of course, my hubby Derrick, me, 2 boys and now 1 girl. They range from age 6yrs-1yr. I am very busy, busy all the time and don't have a whole lot of time to do much else than clean, cook, laundry, play with the kids, and t-ball in the spring. Those of you who have children understand :)
     Well I think I'm going to end there. It is getting late and I have to start all over again tomorrow. This probably won't be an everyday writing, but I will do my best to post at least twice a week. For now, goodnight and remember:

The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40: 28-31)