So here it is… 2:35 pm on the day I’m supposed to write my post and in classic Kelly fashion I’m about 6 hours late. What can I say? I had writer’s block! Ha! No, that’s not true. I just had to work last night and tonight and oddly enough, I just haven’t had time to sit down and write until now. Excuses, excuses!
I’ll tell ya this much, no videos for this post! Sorry to disappoint. I like to leave my readers with their own vision of what my ridiculously non-glamourous life might look like. I’m still the mom who finds the time to each morning to throw her hair up in two randomly placed clips, all the while achieving that beautiful, natural messy look! I know, what can I say… some gals have it and some don’t. Sheesh… why do you think Dusty sticks around?
All in all, it’s been a pretty great year! The boys are getting more independent, and by that I mean they can now put holes in the wall without any help at all! And if you have read any of the previous posts, they can easily entertain themselves while I decorate, beautify myself, and make perfectly delicious and nutritious meals that are ready every night at 5:30. It’s really pretty stinkin’ easy this whole mothering thing! Ha!
Actually, um… NO! Still struggling with the same inadequacies as last year, only they seem to be a little easier to accept this year. I have come to understand that while some days, or rather most days, no one sees all the hard work I put into raising my children to be well rounded, happy, God loving gentlemen I know that God does and His approval is the ONLY one that I should be concerned with. This can be hard when others point out parenting weaknesses or missteps, however I know that the Lord sees my intentions and he sees my desires for my children. I pray each night for the Lord to give me the tools and the guidance to raise these precious boys. I really feel so privileged to be their mother and I do not take it for granted! Dusty and I are so blessed as he mentioned in his post. I too have been wonderfully impacted by his work this year!
The founder and director of the St. Gerard House is the beautiful Ms. Caroline Long. If I could wrap her up and stick her in my pocket to have at all times for parenting examples and advice I would. She is incredible and has inspired me all year long and she probably does not even know it. This woman is not only beautiful on the outside, but I’m not kidding when I say she is truly a beautiful person on the inside. She created a safe haven for children with autism to learn, grow, and become part of this world and her inspiration has been her own two precious children. Caroline is the definition of grace under fire and to see her in action is to see kindness and vision personified. She shared with me her own parenting struggles and while she has truly faced adversity she represents a common thread among any parent who desires greatness for their child. I love this gal, and if you are looking for a cause to get fired up about then please visit the St. Gerard House website to learn more about how Caroline is changing the face of autism.
In other news at the Stepp house we have had a small pest problem revealed for the first time on the day of Jackson’s 3rd birthday party. As I walked out onto the porch in preparation for the party, I noticed a nest of spiderlings had hatched out. In disgust I ran down stairs and grabbed what would prove to be my new best friend for the year, the Ortho hornet and wasp spray. I came back up and sprayed (or hosed) the front porch area with the spray. In doing so, I must have killed the mother spider. Wanna know what kind of spider it was? None other than the black widow! EEEK! Relieved and impressed with my killing ability I quietly patted myself on the back and gave thanks I killed those dang things for good. Or so I thought… as it would turn out, the blood bath would have to continue. My total for the last six month is now up to 43! You read that correctly folks, forty three black widow spiders have been murdered at the Stepp home. I go out at night with Dusty’s head lamp and the Ortho hornet and wasp spray in hand and I am relentless. Dusty absolutely hates critters and I apparently don’t seem to mind them or mind killing them, so I do. In true show-n-tell fashion I even brought some in to show the gals at work. Is it time for a documentary? Maybe? Or, maybe it is time I freaking call the Orkin man.
Another highlight of the year has been the birth of my nephew Preston Lane. Emily asked me to be there for his birth and it worked out that I was able to make it. She was amazing! Emily labored completely natural and did not even know it. She requested her epidural and then only needed it for the pushing part. Which was for about 12 seconds. She pushed little Preston out in two pushes! AMAZING! So honored to be there for her!
Still working night shift on Labor and Delivery and in January I will move to days for a month while some transitioning occurs on our unit and I am looking forward to the experience. Thanks to Kendra and Lindsay for encouraging me to take the plunge and try the light of day. I will go back to nights, at least for a period of time, and then possibly make the switch for good at some point in the near future. I just pray I can keep up!
Once again, thank you for following the Stepps and from our family to yours Merry Christmas!