Weary

So, I've been thinking a lot this afternoon and decided it was time to blog again.  At this moment, my dishwasher is running, my washer and dryer are both running and a Stouffer's lasagna is baking in the oven.  I woke up this morning and got 3 kids up and off to school.  Then I drove myself to work for 5 hours.  Then I dreaded coming home because I knew the state of my home and all the work that awaited me.  If you know me, you know I like to "relax" when I get home.  Basically, I like to rest, read, put my feet up and do nothing.  But when you are a wife, a mom, and a homeowner, that is not possible every day.  I feel guilty for feeling this way because I am so blessed and so privileged in SO many ways.  I was a stay home mommy for approximately 10 years.  I am always home when my kids are home.  I have the summers off, Christmas vacation and Spring Break.  I never have to miss a moment with my kids, because of my job.  My job rocks.  Awesome and adorable pre-schoolers and wonderful, godly friends to work with.  But my life still kicks my butt.  I DID NOT want to come home and load up the dishwasher and wash an enormous load of dirty underwear and socks or fix dinner.  But I have been reminded lately, on more than one occasion, that the "work" we do in life is not for us or anyone else, really, it's done unto the Lord.  The Bible says to do everything with your whole heart, as if you are doing it for God.  That's kind of huge!  My pastor spoke this week on making changes in your life and having a plan and following through with it.  I was reminded of the quote "Never give up!"  My body is tired today....I wanted to come home and give up.  But I have a husband who goes to work every day for 9 hours and works hard, even when he doesn't want to, so that he can support his family.  He is faithful and wonderful.  He's so good to me and is a sweet and loving Daddy.  I can't give up on my duties, if he can't give up on his.  I am wanting to be more encouraging to him, by not neglecting my jobs, here at the house.  And it never ends....the kids have homework, school projects, sports, Awana, baths to be reminded of (ha!) and bedtime.  The stack of papers on my dining room table never goes away, no matter how often I am throwing things away.  Doctors appointments, birthday parties to attend, playdates....life is SO busy.  My dear friend Sarah shared something really cool with me the other day at work.  (Gosh, I have great co-workers!)  When we are tired, or frustrated with a person or a task, we are to look over that person or beyond that task and see Jesus standing there.  That mountain of dirty socks and underwear was ugly, and the pile of dirty dishes was too.  I was exhausted and didn't want to come home at 1:45 then turn around at 3:10 and go back down Main St. in Salem to Luke's middle school to pick him up, but he's 11 and wants me to pick him up and I will protect him as long as I can.  I reminded myself that I am working for Jesus because I love Him.  Don't get me wrong; I adore my husband and kids, but sometimes, when we're tired women, it's not enough to make our chores bearable.  But when I think that Jesus has given me this family and these tasks to take care of, how can I give up?  He sure didn't give up on me.

Missing Noe

So today is always a depressing summer day for me.  Since the summer of 2006, we have hosted a little boy from NYC in our home 2 weeks through the Fresh Air Fund.  His name is Noe Dominguez and he has come to be like a part of our family.  He is a well-behaved, mannerly and mature young man, now.  Being from Brooklyn, just walking outside barefoot to get the mail for me, is a rare treat for him.  As we was doing this yesterday, he said to me, "After today I won't be able to go out barefoot anymore."  I guess NYC really is a concrete jungle.  Sometimes he would wake before me or my boys and I would find him just sitting outside on the deck "listening" to the silence, or taking in the birds and the beautiful sounds of morning.  I don't know what life for him is like.  I wish I could trade with him for 2 weeks, to better understand his perspective of our life here, in small town, Salem.  I do realize I have lots to be grateful for.  I don't have to worry about my kids growing up hearing gun shots outside our apartment or hearing of drug busts.  I don't know...my heart and mind is heavy today, as it is every July something when I rise early to see Noe off to the bus, heading back to Brooklyn.

My 1st Post

So, I am totally new to this and excited about starting it. I thought to start, I should introduce myself and my family to you. My name is Courtney Dennis Jones. I am 32 years old and have been married to my husband, Bert, for 12 years. He is an incredible man. He just recently started a new job with Corning in Christiansburg, VA. God is so good and provided us with the perfect job at the perfect time! A cool fact about Bert and I is that we only knew each other 6 weeks before we got married...long story short, we fell in love, he lived in IN and I in VA and we couldn't stand being apart so we got married at the courthouse, classy, I know, hahaha....We have 3 sons and I could go on and on about how precious, handsome, smart, loving and adorable they are. Luke just turned 11. He is one smart cookie. Straight A student who is gifted. He has also been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. He is very intelligent with a memory like nobody's business, but his social skills and common sense lack a little :) I love that boy with all my heart! Adam is 8 and he's the lover-boy of the 3. He loves snuggle time, and don't tell him I told you, but still sucks his thumb when he's tired. He's all about cuddling up on the couch with a blanket and his mommy. He is humble and so precious. He'll make an excellent hubby someday, to a very lucky young lady. Samuel (Sam) is my baby. He is 6 and just finished kindergarten. He's the baby of the family and knows and uses it. Still talks in baby talk, but mommy doesn't mind, LOL!! He's a sweetheart, too! Not much going on with us right now...just enjoying summer break and time together.