This is the beginning...

So, today is March 16, 2010. Creeping up on 29 years old, married to a man I adore, 4 kids, and learning what God's calling is in my life. This is one of the hardest questions I ask myself! Every time I think of this my heart tells me the only way that I will have these questions answered is to be in His Word! To be living by His will and in His light. This is why I have set a goal: My goal is in this year beginning today I will read the bible in a year. Walking through the pages that were written for every single one of us is just what I need. At times I find myself looking at my life as though there were 4 different - completely separate - parts to my life when in truth, there is only ONE; One me; One heart; One family; One life to fulfill... to better explain: Every morning I wake up to the wonderful sounds of my children walking through my door to wake me up because they do not want to be alone. After the snuggling and good mornings are exchanges we get up, make daddy coffee, get Brianna ready for school, take Bri to school, take Brooke to school and come back home to get daddy ready for work. In the time I am gone, Rob, wakes up, usually makes himself a cup of coffee, gets a muffin, and is talking with little man about his great tricks and encouraging his awesome mind at the age of 3. We hang out with dad while he gets ready and kiss him in his uniform before he leaves for work. For the rest of the day I spend the day watching cartoons, making lots of "I'm hungry" requests fulfilled, and cleaning before having to go pick up my beautiful girls, get home and start dinner, and clean up again. I have loved being a stay at home mommy for 5 years now! The opportunity to help out when and where needed, to see my children grow, to be there for my pre-teen and her schooling, to be on call any time my husband needs an escape to talk or to get out of the office for a bit... These are the very things I believe for the past 5 years I have been Called to do. Lately, the question has come up of where do I want to be in my life. Right where I am is fine, but yes, I have other dreams and desires that I hope one day to fulfill with a heart that is following Gods Will- not my own! Mary Kay has been an incredable company to be a part of, photography/videography is one of the things I find most rewarding not only for myself, but for others, and then there is cooking and baking! My happiest times have been spent not only in my own kitchen, but eating in restaurants where the food is delish... yes, I said it... delish!! When I can look at my husband after ordering, just praying everything comes out perfect, once the dinner arrives that eye of disappointment is usually what we see. Only a handful of times have we ordered and gotten exactly what we felt like we paid for. One of those places was in Minnesota called The Neighbors. For the 5th year anniversary of the day we met my husband introduced me to a taste of great food, great service, and great wine (not to mention the wonderful company of 5 roses, an embroidered candle, and a wonderful man by my side). This is what started me into really looking at foods, restaurants, service, front of house staff, back of house staff... Then of course, as any one who knows me at all knows, I started watching anything that Chef Ramsey is on! I watch cooking shows, experiment, taste, and try the new. This is where I find myself today! - Desire filled to be in a restaurant - yes, my own restaurant would be ideal, but there is work involved yet to do before getting there. First step is to go to Culinary Arts School! - Le Cordon Bleu - This is my next dream- March 16th 2011 is my goal! For now, the bible in a year will help me to hear Gods calling, I will continue to raise my children, support my husband in his career and his musical talent and dreams, and to get life on the right path that God will be my guide. There are many things about myself I need to change... This change is beginning...

Very Respectfully,
Leslie