Hoffman's Hideaway: Looking up..

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Looking up..

It's SPRING at the Hoffman House

and

we have CHICKS.

For those of you following along at home,

yes there was a time before when we had SEVERAL chicks

and they grew... it was a time that Troy was traveling,

We were trying to manage

2 houses

2 kids

2 50+ hr a week jobs

40 chickens.

+ 1 bunny and

Troy was traveling to Cleveland
while I was mowing 6+ acres at home in Indiana.

We were stressed,tired

frustrated, angry

resentlful, and overwhelmed

To put it honestly, we were strectched to our limit and beyond

About this time in 2010,

On a pretty Spring Day, with ice thawing and two kids in the car

wearing high heel boots and work clothes,

I HAD to go feed the chickens. I slipped.

Landed in a pile of wet, muddy, chicken S**T.

I broke down, called Troy... telling him I couldn't do it.

I remember praying for a way out... I was failing

I hated the demands of my job, how it interfered with my children.

I felt like I had failed as a mom, wife, daughter and friend.

There were never enough hours in the day.

Troy drove home, loaded up all but a few chickens

and the bunny, and we found someone who was willing to take them.

I had never felt so guilty in my entire life.

Yes, I realize they were just chickens,

but they represented the beginning of the realization

that I couldn't do it. I was failing

Our life wasn't working, our marriage wasn't working

and our family wasn't working.

Fast forward one year.

INSERT MAJOR LIFE CHANGE

Troy is home. Different Job.

I am home and truly blessed

to realize how much I was giving up by working outside the home.

So when chicks came in this year, we bought 10 (not 40)

Sometimes you need to look up to realize you're in too deep.

I love where we are now.

I love the marriage and family we have.

I love that I have time with my children, family and friends.

I love that my husband and I have time to talk.

Thank you God for making me look up.

I was in WAY too deep.

This one is mine. It's name is George. It may be Georgina. We're not sure yet.

2 comments:

lorabelle said...: This is a beautiful post Jen!
Much better than the dream I had last night about Troy inviting us over for Chicken & noodles, or "Chicks" & noodles... LOl
I love you!; March 17, 2011 at 6:10 PM
Brandi said...: I can completely coincide with this. This time last year, I was having panic attacks about bringing Avery into our caotic world. I love seeing her smiling face in the morning and spending time with her all day. I am glad to hear that you are happier.; March 17, 2011 at 7:26 PM

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A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.