Today

Today was a most unusual day here at our house.

About 6 months ago, when our children were going through a time of grumbling about having to work around the house, my husband and I hatched this crazy idea. Sometime we would have a "Do What You Want" Day. The children could do whatever they wanted all day. They could get up when they wanted, wear what they want, eat what they want, and choose their own activities for the day. The only rule was that I couldn't do anything for them. We did make an exception for Miss Brooke, who is only 3.

Today was the day. Oh, boy.

The children were so excited about this 'awesome' day, as they dubbed it. They slept in a little, watched lots of movies and played computer games, wore jammies all day, didn't comb their hair or brush their teeth, and ate lots of eggs! Logan had scrambled eggs for breakfast and supper and he made 2 egg sandwiches inbetween. We are an egg-lovin' family, but seriously, if I served only eggs for an entire day, I think I'd be in trouble. The others ate lots of eggs too.;)

The messy house, well, about drove me crazy. The children's beds didn't get made, and the kitchen looked like a war zone. I just tried not to go in there very much. I also got to choose my daily activities. I discovered that since I didn't have to cook, I definitely had more free time. I started the day with a run. I managed to sew 2 little flowergirl dresses for the girls as well. I was very thrilled to be able to cross that off my to-do list. The dresses are very simple, but needed to be lined. They still need zippers, hems, and sashes, but I think I can manage that sometime in the next 30 days.

Lesson learned? By tonight, my listless children were getting bored. And a little grouchy. And maybe tired of eggs? Perhaps even ready to have a new day tomorrow, where Mom has lists of chores and we keep the house looking like a place we want to live in.

I suspect they won't forget this day for a long time. I even suspect they will talk about it to everyone, making it sound like an amazing experience. I suspect they are also glad it was only for today. I sure am.

Sunday Afternoon Memories

Another Happy List

Things that make me happy today:

• 21 verses of John 14 hidden in my children's hearts this past week at VBS
• memories of good times at VBS
• 13 qt. of broccoli in my freezer
• eating the first cucumber from my garden
• my children playing happily together
• good health
• friendships
• thinking about my family reunion that's coming up
• my children enjoying baby kitties
• working in my garden
• my husband is at home
• fresh, homemade bread
• a clean house
• a tiny nap
• 'Saturday night date night with Dad' that we just established
• fresh peaches
• chocolate cake
• water to water our flowerbeds
• a 'new' dress for me for $6
• God's faithfulness

And a few pictures from the recent past;

Grace

She was having a bad morning, this 5 year old daughter of mine who is growing so fast that some days I see a glimpse of what she is becoming. I was frustrated at her, for crying over the tangles in her hair, getting mad because she had to get dressed, and being really upset because I asked her to go make her bed. I'm thinking how are we gonna cope when the hormones start to change? I have a long list of things to do. Why can't everyone just cooperate? (My agenda, I know) Suddenly, without thinking twice, I reached out and enveloped her in a big hug, patting her back, saying things like, "You are really having a bad morning, aren't you?" and "I'm sorry." I left the scolding out of the affection. She clung to me for forever. Afterwards, she was a transformed little girl. I couldn't believe it. What a change. All she needed was a hug. Really? Was it that simple? Why do I miss it so often?

It's called GRACE.

I need it too. I run to my Father God and bask in His embrace. He loves me for who I am, not for who He wishes I were. And when we feel loved, we can face almost anything.

Invite GRACE into your home today.

My Recent Life In Numbers

37 chickens butchered
5 meals planned for VBS
1 row of sweet corn, re-planted
12 fresh black raspberries picked by Jamison
48 hours without internet due to 'technical difficulties'
1 more 'sleep' until hubs and I go to the home school convention
4 children to drop off at Grandpa's in the morning
1400 baby pigs coming to fill our 'nursery' on Monday
1 broken down lawn mower which means I had time to take
5 delighted children to the lake (we had a guest)
24 cupcakes baked fat-free for our friend on a special diet
3 shirtless, Indian boys running around in my yard today
5 costumes waiting to be sewed for VBS
2 rows of onions weeded and hoed
4 fresh kohlrabi from the garden
2 heads of cabbage from the garden
81 degrees today, just LOVELY
6 loads of laundry today
3 tours next week to help with at Mom's house
30 days until my family reunion
1 hard-working, good-looking husband I get to spend the next 2 days with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5:22 PM