A Little Bit Sad Today . . .

Well, I did it. I had to resign as coordinator of MNO - the Single Mom's Night Out program. I feel really sad about my resignation . . . I didn't resign due to lack of vision . . . I didn't resign due to lack of passion . . . I didn't resign because I'm a quitter. I have lots of vision and passion; and I am definitely not a quitter.

You see, I've just decided that it's healthy to say 'no' once in a while. I'm a 'yes' girl. I love to say 'yes.' I love a project, I love coming up with ideas and I love seeing those ideas turn into reality. I have fully loved MNO and the women who attend and I still do.

I've decided that I have to put my family first. My first and most important ministry is to the littles who reside in our home. MNO requires lots of time that ends up coming from my family -- and my weekend job at the sleep clinic does, too.

I'm really going to miss being a part of MNO and even more I'm going to miss the moms. However, I am really excited about what Jesus is doing in our little family and I am so glad to be a part of it.

Mom's Night Out - a breathing space for moms who are pressed in by life

This Friday it's time for Mom's Night Out again. Our teaching session is 'Vacationing on a Dime' and we're theming the decor and the food around a Mexican vacation. Ole! This will be our last dinner get-together for the season . . . I can't believe we're finishing our second year!

Our theme for April was 'Dating and the Single Mom.' I want to share some pics with you so that you can see how special it is --- although it is best experienced in person so you can feel and hear what God is doing! I'm having trouble loading pictures right now but I'll keep on trying!

The night before . . .

Here I am, the night before MNO (the single Mom's Night Out event at VN) cutting construction paper hearts. I'm tired, my hands are tired but I'm so happy to do it. There's even a smile on my face while I'm thinking about how the kids might enjoy making a valentine for their moms tomorrow and how much their moms might enjoy receiving them!

I think tomorrow night is going to be amazing . . . everything is starting to fall into place (after a couple of shake-ups, but that's normal, right?) We've got great volunteer staff on board, good topics, good food, great moms attending . . . I know God has great things in store for us!

However, I did forget two very important things today. I was supposed to help at Carter's school at lunch time and I was supposed to go to my friend Tammy's daughter Alicia's volleyball game. So, maybe it is time for me to buy a planner?

Baby Vivian (14 weeks old) slept 10 hours last night and I'm praying that she'll do it again! I need to wake up at 7 to get Carter ready for school, feed all 3 kids, pack lunch, get us out the door to the Y for spin class, home to get things ready for work tonight, take care of my kiddos plus any last minute details that might pop up for MNO (Mom's Night Out,) try to take a nap (I am working third shift tomorrow night, after all,) go to MNO, execute the plan, go to work. After I punch out around 7:30, I have to go to the credit union in the am to attend to some business and then . . . sleeeeep . . . .

Can't sleep . . . augh.

On weekdays my full-time job is that of a SAHM (stay at home mom.) On weekends, I work third shift as a polysomnographic technologist (sleep studies.) Today, Saturday, is my sleep recovery day and then I will work again tonight. About an hour ago, my favorite little noisy tornado was tearing through the house at full force and volume and woke mommy up. Daddy had his hands full changing baby girl and helping Carter get ready for a birthday party.

It's not hard to fall asleep after you work third shift. It is, however, VERY hard to remain asleep after working third shift. It is even harder to go back to sleep after waking up in 'the middle of the night' so to speak. The sun is up and shining, my family is active and my natural inclination is to get up and go. Oh, and I whine a little, too. Okay, a lot.

I thought if I did a quick 'brain dump' on the blogger it might be easier for me to fall back asleep clear-headed.

This week ahead will be a very busy one! Along with our usual schedule, I am also planning and preparing and recruiting for a ministry event that I have co-led monthly in the past and am now leading on my own. I am so excited about this albeit slightly nervous that I will overlook some important detail or area of the event.

Monthly at Vineyard North we host a single mom's 'Night Out.' We anticipate the RSVPs of anywhere from 12 - 25 ladies and their children. We offer free childcare, a fine restaurant quality dinner and dessert and a short teaching on various topics at the end of the night. This gives the ladies a much needed break, the opportunity to build relationships i.e. community with other moms in their situation and/or Vineyard North women volunteers.

We have a lot of fun getting to know each other better and I love being able to bless these moms in this way. I remember how tough life was when I was a single mom for a couple of years. I also remember how much I appreciated any opportunity to get together with other moms and how helpful it was to live in community with them. Every mom needs that!

I'd love it if you'd partner with me in prayer for the moms attending MNO! I'd really love it, too if you'd pray for me - I need extra measures of wisdom, discernment, creativity and organization.

Alright, I think I'll try to go back to sleep now. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz . . . .