Faith

I can't tell you how often I hear, "I don't know how you do it Jen." And I have to admit in the moment, I never know how to answer or what to say other than,"What are my other choices? I have to do it." I'm not trying to be illusive or make you wonder why that comment is made to me often. Some things in my life, I don't share on the blog for privacy reasons. What I do put out here on the blog, seems like everything is always extraordinary and wonderful. For the most part it is, but my life is hard work, work that can't always be seen by others. The day to day can be a real challenge.

Motherhood, teaching, marriage, finding time for myself, fills my days in wonderful, and sometimes awful ways. What keeps me going in the difficult times, is a variety of things, that I sometimes don't even realize I do. But these "things" can be summed up in one word...Faith. I don't think of myself as religious, although I did go to Catholic school for 12 years, was married in the Catholic church and baptized all four of my children as Catholic. We did a great job, for a long time, of going to mass every Sunday. With each child added to our family, it became more and more of a challenge. When Jonas and Lorelei were babies, it became more of a challenge than I could handle. Jonas was fearful of church. Lorelei couldn't be exposed to the germs and spent her first 5 years with so many medical issues, we couldn't even go to church. But I never lost my faith.

I also firmly believe in the law of attraction. Faith that the universe can provide whatever I may need, for I have the power to change anything. I am the energy I want to attract. I know...may sound hokey and out there to some of you, (too new age perhaps), but many of you know and already understand the power of manifesting the life you want. I have been a follower of  The Secret (book and movie) since it was released in 2006, but I was using the law of attraction well before then, without even knowing it. This is not something I have gone around sharing with everyone. No, I'm not saving it all for myself, but sometimes, I'm just not sure how others will receive this knowledge of me. The power of positive thoughts and simply having the faith that everything will be okay, works! I have a vision board, I journal my gratitude daily, I use powerful phrases daily, to remind myself of what I am capable of...try it. It can be life changing.

October has been a very trying month...not as outstanding as I had hoped for, especially after having a difficult start to the school year. But a friend sent me this...

September included multiple doctor's appointments, ultra sounds and blood work for Lorelei, after a lump in her right groin area appeared in August. It actually made it's first appearance in May, but then "disappeared" again. On October 2, we went to the surgeon, who promptly told us Lorelei needed surgery and quickly. He suspected her ovary was trapped in a hernia. He also diagnosed a second hernia on her left side as well. She was scheduled for surgery that same week. What a trooper!

Savannah was more worried than Lorelei! Lorelei was just ready to feel normal again. The lump caused her a lot of pain and discomfort. These girls really love and treasure each other.

Ready to get some silly juice to go under!

Silly juice is in...

She did beautifully and recovered quickly. Her ovary and Fallopian tube were stuck in her hernia. All repairs were made and we were home the same day. 

October has brought some of the usual activities the Boyen Bunch takes part in. Both girls had Fall concerts...Savannah had her orchestra concert. (Sorry for the poor picture quality) 

Lorelei had her first choir concert.

My favorite part of the month...decorating for Fall. I love the cozy feel that the fall decorations create at home. The weather gets cooler and with all the rain, we've already been able to use our fireplace. I love turning it on in the early morning hours before school! (It's remote control!)

Bailey's 19th birthday is this Wednesday. His first away from home. Seems unreal. We haven't seen him since the end of September. It's midterms this week for him too. Great birthday gift! Ha!

One thing I know for sure...I always seem to be able to find my way through the rough patches, with a smile on my face. I have faith that I am where I'm suppose to be, doing what I was meant to do for everyone in my life, including me.