The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Mother

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 sch...

But I’m sure I can find it somewhere.   It’s hard to complain about life being hard, when there hasn’t been a major catastrophe, illness, tragedy, or the like.   But there are times, when the day to day activities of life, just get hard sometimes.   Lately, things have been difficult with the Boyen Bunch.   The house is a bundle of stress these days.   Several of us are going through some life changes, Savannah, John, Bailey and myself are all experiencing some figurative “growing pains” while Jonas and Lorelei, may have the real growing pains going on…they are the two Boyens doing the best adjusting to this new school year. John recently started a wonderful new job…a career change and something that I believe he will truly enjoy.  Although John is truly a brilliant mind, I believe working with his hands bring him the most enjoyment in life.  His new position at a local cabinetry shop will although him to use both.  This is a high tech shop, ...

Grace-a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace Gratitude-a feeling of appreciation or thanks “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” Denis Waitley This is how I feel about my life everyday, not just today on Thanksgiving.   This thanksgiving break I've immersed myself in spiritual enlightenment, watching documentaries, like Happy , by Roco Belic, reading One Thousand Gifts , by Ann Voskamp, listening to Buddhism for Beginners on Audible, by Thubten Chodron and watching one of my favorite films, Eat, Pray, Love.   What am I in search of you might ask?  Nothing in particular, except a little reassurance that I'm living my life to the fullest, embracing each moment, savoring the gifts I encounter daily, loving life with all my being.  It's with this grace and gratitude that my heart and soul find peace and love....