Taking a breath...

in the midst of the hurry, scurry of motherhood.

I'm not sure why we think that we will have more time later in life.  When I'm done with school....When I am a stay at home mom....Oh...I'm sure it will be the same "when I get to be a granny" or "retired."  I know that even when I'm dead I'll be busy doing something else.

With the addition of physical therapy and some extra weekly church service, my week is full...to the brim. And my dd works on homework for 3-5 hours a night.  With me next to her, helping, re-teaching, praising (and yes, sometimes fussing and fuming) the entire time.

My stamp life is pretty much non-existent right now.  And that's fine. Although I am missing it...especially with my new electronic die cutter still in the packing box on the floor of the art room.

Yesterday, after going back and forth about the trunk or treat...I declared that we were having a Halloween party on the morrow.  Of course, that might mean some begrudgingly done bathroom cleaning or bed making on the kids part.  But on my side, it's cleaning/cooking/shopping...and whipping together a party...Just Because.

But it's good to enjoy the Just Because moments.  I wonder if enough people enjoy them.  The other Sunday, I got into a car full of women carpooling to a fireside. I announced how grateful I was for a crock pot...b/c we had rushed home from church and eaten a very fine meal of roast, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, applesauce, refrigerator rolls. My counter parts had eaten a couple of mini candy bars or chicken nuggets or spaghetti.  When I had exclaimed my gratitude over an appliance, one lady was under the impression that I had only recently come into possession of said pot.  Oh no, I explained. I just enjoy remember to be grateful for the little things.

My youngest has always loved stuffed animals. He LOVES them.  Names them, cares for them, keeps track of them.  And so when he is at school, I am often given charge of playing with them or taking them to the store or taking care of them. So...after he leaves and before he returns, I try to set them up.  One day this week, I made a tent out of a blanket between the boys' beds...and arranged them inside.  A few days later, he came home from school....and was upstairs...calling me with a bit of concern in his voice. "Mommmmmmm! Where is Lucky and Flare and Barks??"  (He only saw a couple of bears on his pillow.) Oh, I replied, they are taking a bath with some rubber duckies.  Sure enough, he found them in the tub!  I don't know how long this will last.  And yes, it is so totally silly. But he loves that I remembered him during the day when he sees the animals lined up peering out the window for him.

Yes, it's the little things. Even though those little things take up so much of my time.

As for now...it's time to make the German Scone Batter for the party!  (Then maybe a 20 minute power nap!  I'm so glad Soccer Season is over.)

PS. If you were the person that Booed us...THANK YOU SO MUCH.  You were an answer to a prayer.  Thanks!