Skip to main content

Happily Ever after


As most of you know my husband and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary together just a couple weeks ago. It was an extraordinary blessing to know that even as young kids we were able to come this far and surpass most people's expectations. I made a slideshow for him as a surprise and it took me back through everything we have been through . From high school proms, dates, our first apartment, our puppy, our kids, our home.... And I couldn't believe that we had accomplished so much in those years that still seem a blink of an eye.

Things were tough. Teenage newly weds should say it all. There we so many hurdles and obstacles to overcome due to our limitations, and I kept waiting for my happily ever after. I kept telling myself I'd be enjoying the married life once we got our own place. Then once we had kids, and after all the hard times that included unemployment, a dislocated ankle, c sections and extended maternity leaves, and living with my parents, I kept telling myself once we became  homeowners that'd be the beginning of the rest of our lives, the happily ever after.

But as I reflected on the past 10 years, I realized how fast they went. And how we were finally in our own house and by the grace of God, had accomplished most of the goals we set for ourselves. So I asked myself what am I waiting for? This is the happily ever after I was working and waiting for.
Things are not perfect and we have many other goals yet to meet, but here in my home looking at 10 years of memories and the 2 kids we have created, I have what I am supposed to enjoy daily. My husband who works 2 jobs, and takes the kids to school, in the little used car we bought: that's my prince charming in his carriage.

The home I can't keep clean for long with toys over the floors, and crayons and paper on my table, with laundry sitting in the basket days after I washed them, that's my castle.
The things we do daily. From waking up next to each other after we have hit snooze one too many times. To rushing to take showers and make breakfast and pack our lunches while running late... To my him walking me out of the house at 530am to kiss me goodbye as I get in the car... To the work routine. Rushing out of work to make it to school on time to pick up the kids..then running around to get home so they can relax and do schoolwork all while I start cooking and cleaning before the hubby gets home. To our dinner which consists of someone not wanting to eat, or spilling their juice and our conversations that are constantly interrupted.  All while having to bathe the kids, read to them, and spend quality time before bed time...so we can start all over again the next day.

My happily ever after is not this luxury life that consists of getting gifts and flowers everyday, and looking like the beautiful housewife I envisioned. No its finding my joy in serving my family. And doing it with a man who is not afraid to help out and do dishes, or fold laundry, or scrub toilets. Its enjoying the season I am in today whether it means Emeli who's throwing up on me when she's not feeling good, or dealing with Manny's fear of the dentist and getting a filling.
God has blessed me with my castle and the prince I always dreamed of, I just have to visualize it that way daily. To stop thinking my happily ever after is still to come when I reach my next goal, like paying off my car, or getting a bigger house, or being able to afford a romantic getaway with my husband or a grand family vacation.

I have decided to love the life we have built in the past 10 years. To be intentional and kiss him and the kids every chance I get. To laugh at the things that don't always go my way. To hug them longer, and know life is learning to enjoy every day. In the now! My happily ever after is happening today.
I encourage you to do the same! To stop missing out on what's in front of you because you're waiting for everything to be perfect. It will never be. Change the way you look at things and realize how blessed you are!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Overflow?

I started 2019 in Colorado! Seeing snow for the first time, enjoying friends who became like family. Hopeful for what lay ahead. Optimistic at the word that would describe my year: overflowing! I welcomed my thirties surrounded by love and my husband throwing me the greatest surprise party yet. and though I don't mean to sound like some ungrateful brat that complains and whines, looking back at almost half a year now I cannot seem to find this "overflow" of joy I thought I'd be experiencing. To be honest, its been quite the opposite. That kinda going through the motions- trying to smile at life- hoping no one asks me any questions- type of feeling. And what's even scarier? That up until now, I never knew what that felt like. What's even more puzzling? I didn't even realize I felt this way til a few weeks ago I sat in church and as I prayed about so many things troubling my mind, it came to me. In a song. I started humming- and in my head sin...

Bye Twenties, Hello 30!

As I sit here on the last day of my twenties, I have had a lot of time to look back in awe of what God has done and only be grateful for the life I have lived so far!  I used to look at 30 as such a significant milestone and honestly even one where my youth is fading, yet lately I am embracing it and looking forward to all God holds as all my expectations for my 20s blew me away! Lately, I know every day is a gift to be lived at it's fullest. It's an opportunity to seek more of Jesus, love others and bring Him glory in all I do. And thats exactly what I plan to do in my 30s as well.  I started my 20s being a mother of an active 1 year old boy, and celebrating 5 years of marriage. To say we took the fast track is an understatement. We lived at my parents house and only looked forward to home ownership. That was accomplished! We became home owners and parents of another baby girl by the time I was 23. At the same time, my life was radically changed when ...

Nothing Else.

My favorite worship song right now is by Cody Carnes : Nothing Else. The lyrics as simple as can be: "I just want you. Nothing Else, nothing Else will do, I just want you." And as I sang this song a few Saturday nights ago at service, with my eyes closed and hands lifted in worship, I breathed in, and came to the realization of how more than just a song its a truth and a prayer I must live out everyday of my life. We just moved a week ago, and until then we were living in a clutter of boxes. and I realized how much I hate clutter. I know it was necessary, but it was making my mind cluttered as well and I just felt messy and like I couldn't wait to be in the new place, unpacked, and organized. I figured this would bring back the peace a normal routine and clean house brings me. It was just this week, I was listening to a preaching. A preaching that talked about the importance of walking in obedience especially when it comes to our finances. Dr. Mark Jobe on Mood...