matters of family

updates and an announcement

February 7, 2012 By Mary Hess

So I’m breaking away from my normally scheduled Tuesday post to do an update of sorts for the Hess Family. Because I know you’re DYING, simply DYING to know all the stuff going on with us!

Ahem.

Liberty University – This time next year I’ll be graduating with my bachelor’s in Psychology – Christian Counseling (emphasis on Marriage & Family). Then next fall I will be starting my Master’s program – probably locally. I’m still undecided about that. But I am excited to have made the Dean’s List for the fall of 2011 – and am trying to keep that up for the Spring 2012. I say all of that to say this. . . .
I’ve quit my job with the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors – my last day is today – February 7th and have taken a new job with Oasis Christian Counseling Center. I’ll be managing their office and doing my internship there this fall! So I’m super stoked about that! Along with that job change I’m also going to be reactivating my real estate license with Ashley Cooper Real Estate Company. So for all you folks out there who need a Realtor: I’M BAAAAACKKKKKKKKK! Hit me up! And while we’re on the topic of jobs, I’m also working a day a week for my church as the Events & Communications Director.
Okay. Enough about jobs. I’m tired reading all of that. Let’s talk home – and kids – and all that jazz. Haley is about 2 months away from turning 16. And even as I type that my heart pounds, my knees feel weak and I want to shove her back inside of me where she was safe and protected and safe and protected for those 9 months. Gah. But, unfortunately, she’s too large for that and alas, I must allow her to grow up. Gah. Again. Colleges are already contacting her and she’s on the precipice of dating. DATING!!!!!! When did that happen?!?!? I’m not ready for it. She’s ready for it. But I’m not. I’m just starting to get used to her even driving, dang it. Gah. (That’s my new word, by the way -GAH. I love it – you will too) She’s also transitioning a bit in her routine at both our homes – she’ll now be staying with her Dad full time and hanging out with us once a week and every other weekend. I’m excited for her in this new phase of life as she is really connecting with her Dad and enjoying the season of Daddy/Daughter time. I mean, what girl doesn’t want to be her Daddy’s princess, right? (Great segue for Zoe. . . . ) And Zoe. Yes. There’s Zoe. Our little 5 year old who thinks she’s 25 daughter. She’s reading like a fiend. And she’s doing double digit math. And she’s dancing, singing and playing the piano. But boy is she a handful. She reminds me of someone, I just can’t put my finger on who it is . . . . . . .
Church – I. LOVE. my. Church. There. I said it. I love church! I LOVE CHURCH! I love our community and I love that Jesus is first and He is given room to move and breathe and love and heal and bless and there’s no “what’s in it for me” mentality and life is lived to the fullest and people communicate and relate and bond and hang out and gosh, it’s just great. GREAT. I love my church!
Writing – I’m writing a lot these days. And quite honestly, I’m loving it. You can read all of it by clicking that “Popular Series” tab at the top of my blog. (Go ahead. Do it. I’ll wait. . . . )
Personal – I have shared before so it’s no secret, but I’ve been on a quest to lose weight in a healthy manner and it’s taken me a while, but thankfully I’m only a few little pounds from my goal weight. I’m stoked – and once that happens, I will have lost a total of 21 pounds. I’ve been off the exercise wagon for a couple of months now, but that’s changing – a little 30 Day Shred and some running to not only exercise but just de-stress and have a few “me” minutes. We’ve really changed our eating habits and love the new lifestyle we’ve chosen. But for the fact that I just need to eat meat every so often, I would be tempted to go completely vegetarian. I know, right? I never would have thought that before. . . .
And I love my husband and our life together! I don’t say much about him on here, but I do. I do. I do. I love him. I love our journey, our marriage, our life. We are settling in to a nice groove and it just feels good. It feels good to feel loved, needed, secure. It feels good to love and to give and to listen and to just be. He’s an amazing man and I simply can’t imagine my life without him. Don’t even want to. I know that isn’t very poetic or smooth, but it’s me. He’s amazing. And he’s mine. All. Mine.

Well, I think that’s about it. If nothing else, hopefully you’ve gotten a good chuckle out of it. Prayers are always appreciated and leave a comment and update me on YOU!

What others are saying Filed Under: change, destiny, matters of faith, matters of family, matters of marriage, matters of writing

she longs to be a princess | i entered a contest and didn’t win

January 24, 2012 By Mary Hess

So I entered a writing contest.

Because I’m crazy like that.

I didn’t win.

But it was a good learning curve, at least.

Here’s my entry.

She Longs To Be A Princess

I am lying in bed with my four year old as she crawls in next to me – face to face – nose to nose – as close as she can possibly get. This has become our nightly ritual. She won’t sleep unless I’m lying next to her. She burrows into my side and drapes her arms and legs over my body.

No.

It isn’t comfortable.

But I love every moment of it.

(Even though I know I need to let her learn to fall asleep on her own.)

“Momma, will you snuggle with me tonight and tell me a story?”

“Yes, my sweet baby. I will tell you a story and snuggle close to you.”

She catches her breath and smiles as big as Texas.

“Can I be a princess?!” she asks.

“You can be whatever you want,” I say, meaning that with every fiber of my being.

She longs to be a princess complete with the ball gowns, crown and castle.

And so I begin.

Once upon a time in a kingdom far, far away lived a little princess named Zoe. Zoe was born to the King and Queen at Christmas and the kingdom was jubilant at her birth.

Zoe was a beautiful princess with long auburn hair and big brown eyes. Her smile would melt the toughest soul and bring laughter to the saddest heart.

She was the apple of her daddy’s eye. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. He loved her with an everlasting love. His daughter was captivating and he wanted everyone in the kingdom to know it.

“Momma, am I wearing a pretty dress and does Daddy like it?” she asks as we lie there in the dark bedroom.

“Yes, Zoe. You are wearing a beautiful dress that swishes when you twirl for Daddy. He loves it – almost as much as he loves you!”

She sighs and says, “Tell me more, Momma.”

And so I tell her of how thrilling it is to dance with her Father. I tell her how wonderful it is to be loved and cherished and wanted. I tell her that nothing she can ever say or do will cause her Daddy and Mommy to stop loving her, cherishing her, wanting her. I tell her that she will always be our daughter, even when she marries Prince Charming.

She giggles. “I’m never going to get married, Momma!”

And lying there in the dark, snuggled in close with this beautiful life I birthed, my heart captures the moment, the feeling of complete, unconditional love for this child. I’m reminded yet again how nothing could ever dissolve my love for her, nothing. She belongs to me. She is my daughter.

In an instant my thoughts turn to Him, my heavenly Papa. I find myself crying out from the recesses of my weary, jaded heart,
“Do You love me like that Papa?!

Do You find me captivating?!

Am I enough?!”

And in the quiet, my heart waits, silently hoping that He will answer me, yet doubting He really will.

I want to be that princess, that little girl who longs for her Daddy’s undivided attention, and knows that she has it. I want to be that little girl who runs with reckless abandon after her Father dancing and twirling and laughing and playing.

But am I?

Could I ever be?

All I’ve ever known is a life of rules and regulations, of do’s and don’ts. I had the mindset that believing in God and living a life following Him wasn’t meant to be fun, playful, or enjoyable. Could my empty, barren heart embrace the desire buried deep to be my Father’s princess?

Then I hear Him – just as clear as if He was sitting there on the edge of the bed beside us.

“My sweet Mary, you are beautiful. And you are more than enough. I find you simply captivating.”

My breath catches.

And in that moment, in that dark, quiet bedroom, I finally understand.

His heart beats for me just like my heart beats for her.

Yes, she is a princess.

And so am I.

What others are saying Filed Under: matters of family, matters of writing

happy 5th birthday sweet zoe

December 18, 2011 By Mary Hess

Never a dull moment.

That’s the first thing that pops into my mind looking at these pictures of you. You are beautiful. You are funny. You are tenacious. You are inquisitive. You are smart. You are talented. You are . . . you are Zoe Sophia. And just like your name, you are life and you are wisdom. Wisdom beyond your 5 years and life that is absolutely vivacious and overflowing. From the moment you wake up until you crash asleep at night you don’t stop moving, talking, singing, dancing, arguing, laughing. We love you. We love you so much. Happy 5th birthday, Princess.

Love,
Daddy, Mommy & Haley