February 19, 2011

  • I am

    home with a spunky sassy fun little thing and her squishalicious baby brother while the other men in my life are at Upward.

    We have continued to join the ranks of looming sickness. It wasn't until Thursday that I actually realized what day it was. Yesterday, in all of it's mildness, reminded me this can't go on forever. Spring will be here before I know it and though the days and now nights can seem rather long, the furthest thing from peaceful and restful, and even quite humorous (though not in the moment!) I am really cherishing some special moments along the the way in the midst of it all.

    Like for instance....

    ~A meal EVERYONE looks forward to at the end of the day, even though I look "electrocuted" (as my mom nicely put of a picture of me on fb one day ) while preparing it. Life slows down and we sit. Asher dims the lights and calls it a "special dinner". I light some candles and for a bit ignore the mess I've been living in with little to no energy to stay on top of much other than necessities.

    ~Special time alone with Asher while the other two nap. We do crafts, draw, Legos, and our newest reintroduction back into our routine, "school" as he likes to call it. He requests this activity. Sometimes we just talk. Sometimes he'll be so deep in thought I'll ask, "What are you thinking about Lu?" (Lucas is his middle name. They say you only nickname the ones you love, right?! No matter how bizarre?) What is on his little mind is precious, goofy, entirely literal, and I love it all.

    ~Gabe hurt his ankle this past Tuesday night playing ball with the men (who I think believe are still boys, including mine despite the fact he's consistently told by strangers he looks to be 16? That was the latest age thrown out there! Seriously!?) and got himself what borders on the more intense side of a rolled ankle. It's pretty scary to look at. As a result he got to stay here and work from home for a day this week. It's just a rare treat to have him home like that. While the kids napped I even slipped out for a bit. I felt SO spoiled! Let's just say I had the flea market (all 20 minutes of it) to myself! Perfect!

    ~The anticipation of a week stay with my parents while Gabe attends work related needs in Tennessee with his team. A day here, an afternoon there (though extremely fun) doesn't allow for the fun things that can only take place when you sleep and wake up at Grammy and Grampy's. Poptarts for breakfast. Endless cousins to play with. Sisters and a mom to catch up with and spend WHOLE days with!

    ~"The Hidden Art of Homemaking" by Edith Schaeffer. Even if just a chapter here, 10  minutes there, I am finding myself deeply challenged in ways and areas I really need to be challenged!

    ~Despite overtired and a bit pushed to the brink of grumpiness/bad attitudes myself, I experience His waters that are never dry. A different kind of rest apart from just physical. The kind of rest only He provides. The kind of joy only he supplies, despite circumstances. And it's there. All the time. Just ready and waiting to be experienced!  Freely given.

    Is it really any wonder that this week has been one of the best as far as routine, consistency, chores, training, learning with a good attitude, victory and not defeat? Hardly.

    "You stay the same through the ages. Your love never changes. There may be pain in the night but JOY comes in the morning. And when the oceans rage, I don't have to be afraid, because I know that you love me. Your love never fails."

    And lastly, I have puppy fever. It's bad. And it's not going away!