{HOME}

We're going on one month of Joe's employment and what a month it's been! We're getting into a routine slowly, but, surely. Joe leaves for work on Monday morning since he doesn't work until later in the day. That leaves 5 "Daddy-less" days and then comes the beloved weekend! Two wonderful days together as a family before work beckons again.

We had considered moving closer to Joe's work in Pacifica, but the commute proved to be too much for him. Bay Area traffic is not his thing! I think the thing that solidified our decision was when we returned to Mount Shasta on the weekend after the storm was over. We realized that we have a wonderful network of friends that help us anytime we need it, whether it be to plow out a driveway at 11:45 at night or to lend an ear when one of the little ones is sick. We have a HOME here. We have friends that care or us and our children, just as we care for them and theirs.

Home is not just a place you spend your time or lay your weary head. Home is where you share experiences and where you love one another. Home is my favorite place in the world.

What a year!

From this....


Today, my last baby turns ONE year old. This past year has flown by with tremendous speed, leaving me reeling and wondering, "Where has the time gone?".

To this...

Ruby Jeanne is growing into a wonderful little person. God has blessed me with 4 amazing short people. Without them, I'm not quite sure who I would be...

Finally....

Our patience, diligent prayer and unwaivering faith have brought a dream to fruition. For many people, having a "job" is not something you dream of, rather something you must "do" daily as a responsible American adult. Not so in Joe's case. This particular job has been almost 5 months in the making, starting with one of those random, "I can get you a job with my company" comments at a wedding last summer.

Going from "Carpenter by day" to "Tunnel Miner by night" is proving to be a bit rough, on Joe, as expected. What wasn't expected is how I'd be handling the changes. Things around "Gocke Central" are kind of in an uproar lately. We're at a major crossroads yet again. Much prayer is going into a serious decision regarding where we call home. We've got to decide whether it's better for Joe to "live" in Pacifica during the work-week and travel home for his 1-2 day weekends or if we should pack up the family and move to Tracy, which is a 1-3 hour commute each way for Joe daily. That way, he'd be home each day...

It all boils down to just what we're willing to sacrifice for the "almighty Dollar". Just how much is our time together as a family worth? Would Joe's absence during the week make our family stronger or weaker? If he's home to sleep every day, will that put limitations on our activities as a family? So many questions.

Today, they'll remain unanswered.

"Patience is a virtue"..

"Wings" out our back window...

We've all heard that phrase said time and time again. Today, I'm earning that virtuosity! It happens to be one of those times in my life where I've been waiting for something wonderful to happen and I find myself waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting...... I keep telling people I'm in a "holding pattern", "waiting on the green light" before I can celebrate and start to take in a new way of life.

I'm trying to remain patient today, but it's taking quite a bit of effort! "Patience" is not something that comes naturally. People aren't BORN patient. Any mother knows this fact all too well (just think of hungry babies, wild toddlers, anxious kids...)! We all have the "patience potential" inside us, it's like a little seed. We just have to nurture it for it to grow. So, today, I'm "growing" more and more patient.

With that, I'll leave you with a verse that I love.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Some of what I do...

A few months ago, I decided to start a little project or 86. See, I really love to make stuff. Random things. I have a particular affinity for aprons, I have no idea why (maybe because I'm always in the kitchen?). I also love to make things that put a smile on someone's face and perhaps, warm a heart or two. In all honesty, I really was planning (hoping, really) to make a little extra money to help our family and take a bit of pressure off of my husband, Joe. My "plan" failed pretty miserably, but I made a lot of super cute stuff! :) On to my next big project.....

In the beginning...

Ok, fine! I'll succumb to the peer pressure and start a blog! Why, you might ask? Because that's what SAHMs do...? Because I have entirely TOO much time on my hands...? Because I have SOOOO much information to share with the world...? Nah. Mostly because I need a constructive way to channel my feelings and maybe reach someone on a personal level. Hehehee! Didn't think I'd get THAT deep on ya, did you?!

In all seriousness, I feel that I need a way to reach out, tell stories and witness to someone now and then, all while providing you with laughter, tears and other emotions that are still to be determined! I'll try not to push too many opinions on ya, but I can't promise anything! When a redhead like me gets on a tangent, LOOK OUT! It should be a fun ride, so get in and hang on!!!