:what i'm NOT doing today::

i'm NOT sleeping in, nope that's not it. up at 5am as usual for coffee, reading and writing.
i'm NOT starting my day off overwhelmed with my to-do list for the week.
i'm NOT starting my day off exhausted at the thoughts of another 40+ hour week at work.
i'm NOT starting my day off discouraged because of time that won't be spent with my children.
i'm NOT worried about my husband and how he will manage on so little sleep today.
i'm NOT concerned with numbers and being mid-month and what that means in the corporate world.
i'm NOT planning to be anywhere but here at 8am.

most important, the reason for all of the above, i'm NOT going to my full-time corporate job today. nope, NOT today, NOT tomorrow, or the next day.

{{i'm officially a part-time work-at-home-mommy!!}}

so today,
i will turn off my computer at 7am and welcome my precious children to the breakfast table where i will sit with them and talk about the season of advent and the great expectation of the arrival of christ.
i will eat with them instead of giving them kisses good-bye.
i will take my girl to preschool and pal around with my boy.
i will color with him and play cars.
i will read for pleasure.
i will cook dinner slowly enjoying the moments in the kitchen with the children at my feet.
i will enjoy dinner with my family, including my husband because he will not be sleep deprived.
i will play chase after dinner, give baths and put them to bed all with great joy, because THIS is my joy, THIS is my calling and it will no longer take second place to a job.
i will trust.
i will breathe in all that this season has to offer.
i will be thankful.

what will you NOT be doing today?



*linking up for life made lovely

:the story::

:

sabbath.
it begins with early morning cries from the boy. our time together has a starting place. he asked for cheerios in a language only mommy can understand. then a follow-up question, always expected, "where's daddy?" this kid is crazy about his daddy.

i start the chocolate chip muffins, a sunday morning ritual of sorts.

then the coffee....always coffee.
while waiting for it to brew strong i mix up cream for topping. my children know this sound and come running for the sweetness left on the beaters. they lick away all that is left and stand with faces covered in sticky goodness.

they not-so-patiently wait for the timer for the muffins to alarm. when it does, each takes their place for the warm-gooey goodness.
they have been served and i have loved serving them.

i sit, finally, coffee in hand.
thoughts about last nights bible reading with eisley flood my mind. the prodigal son and how her bible book pointed out that  jesus told stories so people could know what god is like.

i wonder, does my life tell a story that shows others what god is like?

these are the thoughts that fill my day.
sabbath.


*linking up with heather for life made lovely

:on becoming okay with imperfection::

early morning saturday.
the boy beside me with his little feet barely reaching the edge of the cushion where he sits.
eisley sleeps in from hard play all week.
that sweet man of mine is out camping with friends.

the dryer hums in the background and the house smells like a mixture of marshmallows and fresh brewed coffee.
the floors are dirty. more noticable with the morning light showering in, and the laundry is piled high.

i'm becoming okay with imperfection.
i'm becoming okay with not getting it all done.

i sip my coffee while its hot and breath in Madeleine L'Engle's words of wisdom.
i feel rohen move- another fiesty little girl.
i look forward to three and dream about moments shared.
i soak in this moment, blinking, it's gone.

the floors will be mopped.
the laudry will get done.
but not now.
instead, in this moment, i will praise the slowness.



*linking up with life made lovely

::what makes a happy family::

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven"

-George Bernard Shaw

saturday we took some time to just be a family.
we took a stroll outside, noting the most beautiful blue sky.
we gave ample hugs and kisses.
we shared nilla wafers and chocolate milk.
we watched as the children ran and played and made new friends.
we watched as they discovered.
we encouraged.
we basked in all that is family.

and today......i am thankful.



*linking up with life made lovely