Grace at the "Happiest Place on Earth"

A week and a half ago, we did a whirlwind road trip to California. Mr Toddlerwhisperer was playing a gig out in Newport Beach, so we decided to make a little trip of it. We got to play at the beach, go thrifting, visit with family, and no trip to SoCal with a four and five year old would be complete without a trip to the happiest place on earth, Disneyland!

A quick snap of the drumming Mickey parade

waiting for their first rollercoaster ride in Toon Town

What I was impressed with most by DLand was the fact that every single cast member who worked there was SO nice. Genuinely sweet, kind and full of grace.  You know they deal with thousands of people there each day, some with attitude, some cutting in lines, some hot and whiney, and others who don't even speak English...

Day in and day out, they receive the same questions...hundreds of times a day.."which way is the bathroom?" "where's the best place to eat?" "how do I get to space mountain?" "can i take a picture with you?" and every time they answer, they make the person asking feel like they are the only person who has ever asked that particular question.

We arrived, and I had seen on pinterest how parents use sharpies to write contact info on their children in large crowds...and I had forgotten my sharpie, so we went into a shop on mainstreet and asked one of the ladies if I could borrow one of theirs. They quickly found a permanent marker, and giggled the whole time Daddy wrote his cell number on his little ones' tummies.

We asked a churro vendor which way to the restrooms, and he cheerfully passed on the information.

And, we waited in line for like five minutes for our precious girl to meet Snow White. While waiting, the people in front of us were from an Asian country, and every single one of them wanted a picture with her. Just when she thought she was finished, she would have another one of the party stand next to her for a picture. And every time, she posed exactly the same, kept the same sweet face and smiled.  As our daughter approached for her turn, someone cut from the side, and Snow quickly and in character said, "There's a line for me over there, if you would like to take a turn" them posed so sweetly with my tired little lady.

While the Magic Kingdom was most definitely a wonderful place to visit, here in the real world we come into these same situations in our workplace, at the line in the grocery store, in traffic, with our children...and what pours out from our hearts? Is it love? Is it joy? Is it patience? Galatians 5:22 gives us the list of what should pour from our hearts to reflect that the Spirit of Christ dwells within us. (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness)

If literally every person who worked for Disney at the park on Sunday can do it, we, certainly as Believers can strive to live by the Spirit, being an extension of the Grace Christ showed us to others. Galatians 5:16 "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Let's make our homes and our circles of influence the happiest places on earth!

This post is a link up over on Gracelaced for Gracelaced Mondays. You should check out the other links!

Grace in a junkyard

Don't trials come at the most inopportune times? Like a car accident right as we are trying to save money for a mini vacation...without collision insurance.

Praise the Lord, this accident looks much worse than it really was, or how bad it really could have been. My hubby was on his way to work, driving in the fast lane where two interstates meet up. So happy he was protected from harm when it all went down.

But. Like I said, not good timing financially. So the cost of a new hood if we were to go to the dealer would be like $250, and the labor is at least $125 /hr and I'm sure they would have charged us for 2-3 hours of labor...because they CAN. ugh. So, hubby did something totally out of his comfort zone.

totally. out. of. his. expertise.

He went to UPULLIT. A junkyard, that surprisingly is located all over the country. He called and asked if they had any make/models of our car...THEY DID...they had 4.

He walked from row to row of piled high cars, and found the first car....front end collision....the next car...same problem...and finally, at the third car...an intact and beautiful hood!! He and his father got to work unscrewing and pulling the piece off the car.

Was it an exact match for color? no. Was it an exact fit?

yes. YES!!

Final cost? $60. grace.

Peaches and Grace

Butterflies flitted back and forth across the dusty mountain road. Some surprising me with their bravery, heading straight for the windshield, only to zig-zag back to the wildflowers on the side of the dirt road.

When we arrived at our destination, we found a picnic table perfect for our family. Placed the sandwich fixings on the table and created a delicious mountain meal. (You know, the kind that would be a typical, boring meal at home, but in the "wild" tastes extraordinarily delicious.)

As I stood at the table watching my sweet Littles shoo various flying distractions away from their meal, a tattered black butterfly landed on my shirt, under my chin. We laughed. He moved over to Mr Toddlerwhisperer's shirt, so Mr T. placed the core of his peach on the handle of our cooler.

And that's where the butterfly stayed, even after the peach was knocked over, until every bit of sweet nectar was savored.

So, of course, we found the peach core and placed it on the table. No sooner than we did, our little butterfly friend found it too. He remained there for the rest of our lunch, and when we checked on him after our adventure hike, he was still there. You had to know, this was probably the best day of his short life.

Now, I don't know what tore his wing, and I don't know why he was so unafraid of this family of humans, but God knew that this sweet butterfly needed a special treat. And it was our pleasure to provide it for him.

James 1:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Grace in Gardening

We've spent quite a bit of time developing this soil. It's been pretty much a compost pile, most of the year. Coffee grounds, watermelon rinds, cucumber peels, cabbage ends and pieces...really any fruit or veggie waste has been going into this section of the yard.

We finally began our garden by by digging into the dirt yesterday. Rich deep colors were dug up and spread. We placed an organic fertilizer, and raked out big pieces of roots, sticks, concrete stones, and old vines that had somehow got mixed into it.

Then came the planning..."yes, let's put the tomatoes in the back this year, they took up a lot of space here last year." "a walking path in the center would be great." "this particular plant grows large and spreads"

Next, the planting. Digging deep bowls for each plant. Separating each with high walls to hold in water. Then the watering. Filling each bowl with life giving water.

I snapped a few pictures as the sun poked through the yard this morning

It's funny how many sticks and rocks can come up to the surface when a gardener begins preparing the soil for growth. How the impurities are so easily seen when the the rest of the soil is raked about and smoothed. 

My life, like the soil, wondering why I have to go through a rotten fruit kind of a situation, when in the end it was meant to enrich my ground. 

My sin, so easily seen when my soil is disturbed.

Lord, may Your Word be a gardener's tool. Bringing my ugly to the surface so it may be removed. So my life will yield good fruit. ~amen

Grace Found in my New Vacuum!

We've got more carpet than should be legal, I admit it. We were rough on it when we first moved in to our house...lots of shoe traffic. Then came the children...oh boy. So many crumbs and stains and "unnecessary roughness" on these carpeted floors.

And all along for the last almost ten years we've been cleaning it the same way, using the same vacuum and slowly, almost without even noticing, it's been doing a poorer and poorer job on our carpet. Until, about two weeks ago, it finally gave up its fight and literally broke in two.

I knew we couldn't get a new vacuum right away, so I carefully duct taped it together, and continued to use it until Friday.

We researched vacuums, and not wanting to spend too much, decided on a Eureka SuctionSeal. I put it together rather quickly,  and began vacuuming shortly after. I was amazed at how tall my carpet seemed to be standing, astonished by what was being picked up into the collection bucket.

This vacuum is BOSS! Our entire house feels different. Fresher, cleaner, easier to breathe in. 

Made me think about my life. How many harmful or toxic behaviors are disguised by good intentions? (too much time on the computer, getting angry and snapping over silly or small things) How many bad habits am I pushing around my life with little positive effect? Just as it feels fantastic to get the dust and dirt out of my carpet and house, in preparation for my best friend and her family to come visit, it's time to look into the corners of my heart, and do some house cleaning here too, for my most important Guest. What areas in my life need Jesus to "lift and remove"??As I'm scrubbing the nitty gritty from my pretties this week, I'm going to make a conscious effort to ask the Lord to show me the areas in my life that need a good dusting. And I pray that He reveals His heart to you this week too.

This post is part of a link up through Gracelaced blog. 

Grace in Weakness

I admit, I was rusty. It's been nearly six years since I've taught school. It's been since 1998 since my last job interview for my profession. (That's 14 years folks) So I was not just rusty, I was terrified about a job interview. Not only that, but it was going to be so different than my last interview.

My first professional interview was easy. I applied long distance, from my University to a school in my hometown. I went to the interview with just the principal. Right off the bat he loved me. His children both went away to the same private Christian college I went to...and he pretty much took me on a tour of the school and I had the job the next day. (I am so grateful for a principal that took a chance on a fresh from college teacher)

Well, 14 years later, there is not ONE elementary job position available. Yes, my degree is K-8, but I'd only used the K-5 portion in all my years teaching. 

I received a call from the business office, asking if I would like to be considered for the two middle school positions available. One Bible, the other Science. Because I absolutely loathe science fairs, I asked to just be considered for the Bible position.  I received a call about a week later that they would like me to interview for the position.  She said, "let me just find your name in the stack of papers here" so I knew there were a lot of applicants.  Some how I found out that there were a total of 16 applicants. 8 for science, and 8 for Bible. Oh, and the interview was to be a panel. of. five. people.

Oh my mercies. My stomach was in knots...I couldn't even remember what a philosophy of education was...but by the grace of God...His POWER is PERFECTED in our WEAKNESSES

2 Corinthians 12:9

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

⁹ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

I literally cannot boast in myself about the interview. I had prayer warriors all over the country lifting me up, I claimed the mind of Christ as I sat in the parking lot before my interview...the clarity and rapport that was built in the conference room was only through Christ who strengthens me and I tried to keep from being anxious the EIGHT days I had to wait (with the help of MR ToddlerWhisperer's gentle reminders) before I received a phone call.

I GOT THE JOB!!!!

the congratulatory flowers from Mr T.

linking up with Ruth at Gracelaced and women all over the world for Gracelaced Mondays 

Grace is

when each of us are feeling ever so badly;

he lets me rest in bed for hours

dreaming away fevers

while he makes lunch for the sweet little monkies

then we switch

and he's in bed

i'm downstairs feeling miserable too

making dinner

no one complains

over a bowl of noodles and sauce

an early bedtime

no complaints from the littles

darkness and sleep

coughing occasionally

taking turns shooing away monsters

and praying for sweet dreams.

Grace: His Eye is on the Sparrow

Photosource: Here

I think it's really cool when you can reflect back on something negative and see God's guiding hand throughout the whole situation. If he really cares so much about those abundant little brown birds...why do I worry about how things will turn out in my own situations?? A good reminder to just trust Him through all circumstances.


Problem: Nov 2011, Car completely shuts off on husband's way to work.
God: It was less than a mile from our house and I was able to tow him home with our truck.

Problem: Nov '11, Fuel pump needs to be replaced, and now truck needs an overhaul...leaking coolant. Also, a trip is planned for us to drive our truck to around 800miles round trip for Thanksgiving. Purchased parts from the internet for the truck, and autozone for the car. Spent a lot of money, but much less had we taken them to a mechanic. Our mechanic slipped in the shower and broke his hip. Trip is in 3 days.
God: A friend at church is a city mechanic (he works on all the city's vehicles from tractors to govt cars) He can help us get our truck road trip ready. We returned the fuel pump and got some $$ back. He told us we didn't need any of the parts we ordered online, so we could return all of them. He said we did need a gasket from the dealership to seal the coolant tank from leaking.

Problem: The gasket was nearly $200 and it was the day before Thanksgiving. The day we were supposed to be leaving on our trip.
God: Husband arrived at dealership, and asked about the part. The dealer told my husband the price. My husband said,
"ahhh man, my family's going on a trip today, can you do a little better on the price?"
The dealer said,
"no."
A quiet older gentleman was observing from the side...he spoke up...and said,
"Get me your manager."
The manager enters, and the older man says,
"C'mon, you guys need to give this young man a break. He's got a little family, and they are heading out of town today. I know you can do better than that price. You KNOW who I am right?!"
The price was knocked down to $30. Yes, $30!!
(husband asks older gentleman WHO he is, and finds out he had just bought 2 cars in full with cash the day before...so the dealers wanted to treat him right.) And God used him as our angel that day.
Part was replaced and we were on our way to Denver to celebrate Thanksgiving with our best friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Needless to say, we didn't get our car fixed right away. Our truck has been a lifesaver for my husband. He's used it everyday and it's been working great. For me, it's been a long long long four months with only one vehicle, but this weekend changed everything.

March 2012 Our car is finally running. Our awesome friend rebuilt a wiring system that was fried. It would have cost us soooo much money to replace. We bought our fuel pump... again. and everything is right and ready to go. Now, we are just airing out the car, because it smells like gasoline. (another blessing, the fuel pump is located under the back seat, so the only thing needed to get to it was to remove the seat.)

God has had His hand on the entire situation. Because He loves us. He cares about us.

Matthew 6:25-34

New International Version (NIV)

   ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

   ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

copied from source: Biblegateway.com

This post is part of a world wide link up with Gracelaced Mondays. Click on the box below and find more inspiring stories of Grace laced in the everyday.

Grace in sickness and in health

It was a gorgeous week last week

Spring

Blue, cloudless skies

and even though i was weak with sickness almost everyday

there were still those precious and few moments

where i could

step outside and enjoy it

2Cor 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. NIV 

this post is part of a linkup with Gracelaced. You should click the box and check out other glimpses of Grace across the world.

Grace in Goodwill Hunting

I enter the thrift. My path set before me, I know exactly what I'm looking for. I know exactly where I am headed and you cannot pull me to the right or the left. I'm focused. My eyes are on the prize.
My eyes scan up and down back and forth, bottom to top...I'm looking for the ever elusive vintage retro ugly pretty unchipped uncracked pyrex glassware.

Many trips end with disappointment.
Some end with a nugget...maybe a coffee mug or canister.
And some end with me smiling from ear to ear...pretty pyrex wrapped in newspaper tucked in bag.

This weekend was all of the above. Friday, nothing. Saturday morning, a pyrex canister that I wasn't thrilled about, but was happy to find, some crazy daisy mugs...mostly Corelle Livingware and two Pyrex ones. But Saturday night was my score. I dragged Mr ToddlerWhisperer to one more thrift while we were on a child free excursion. And on a cart...they hadn't even made it to the shelf...3 beautiful Woodland casserole pieces. The prices were not amazing, but I was so happy to find pretty, shiny pieces. When I got to the register, the lady surprised me and gave me such nice discounts on each piece...I think she couldn't believe the asking prices for ugly ol' dishes...so I paid only about $3 each piece.

So, how can I find grace in  my Goodwill hunting?

I think I need to look at my walk with Christ as I do my treasure hunts to the thriftstore. It's exciting, a thrill, I'm on the hunt! I can go to the thriftstore five days a week, and you know what? There's always something different there for me. I almost always find something new there. A nugget...or the grand prize, it's about perseverance and returning. And seeking. Had I not made the choice to turn into the parking lot on Saturday night, I would not have walked away with the treasure I was seeking.

Now, if I can approach my morning Bible time with that same enthusiasm!! Thrilling over insights that the Holy Spirit reveals in the Word. Seeking Him with a fervor that can't be swayed to the right or to the left.

Isaiah 55:6 says, "Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near." A little more insight into this verse is found in Wesley's notes on this passage:

55:6 Seek - Labour to get the knowledge of God's will, and to obtain his grace and favour. While - In this day of grace, while he offers mercy and reconciliation. Near - Ready and desirous to receive you to mercy.

It's not always easy to seek. There may be obstacles that are in the way of making it a daily habit. But press on, do the work. He's present. He's offering his mercy and reconciliation. Receive it.

This post is part of a link up to my friend over at Gracelaced. We're finding grace in the every day...and you can too.

More Than Enough

Have you found Him to be more than enough? He's been so faithful to me, my entire life, and even "more aweesome than I know"

From protecting me, to comforting me, to providing for me. He is so Good!!

Yet, why is it so hard to trust Him. Is it unbelief? After all I know He is? 

my prayer this morning: "Father, thank You for loving us, and caring so much about us. For calling us your children, because of the sacrifice Christ made for us. Lord, help each one of us who struggle to pick up the shield of faith, and stand strong against the attacks of the accuser. And through our Thanksgiving to You, for all You have done, teach us to let go of any doubts about you. In your Gracious name, Amen"

Ephesians 6:16

Jeremiah 17:7 NIV But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.

He provides for us, through my crocheting...so many many times.

He keeps our bellies full, even when I'm not sure what we'll be eating.

He enables me to see and recognize beauty

He gave me such a sweet little family 

Oh I feel encouraged already! (and I hope you do too)

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply

My breath of life

And still more awesome than I know

You are my reward

worth living for

And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You’re my sacrifice 

Of greatest price 

And still more awesome than I know 

You’re the coming King 

You are everything 

And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want

More than all I need

You are more than enough for me

More than all I know

More than all I can say

You are more than enough for me

-Chris Tomlin

this post is part of an awesome link up called Gracelaced Mondays. Please click on the button to see other stories of Grace laced in the lives of women across the country.

He Knows My Name

So I've been kinda in a funk lately, but God used my little kitty to show me love.

She never ever ever gets on my bed (not allowed) but when I went to bed last night, she begged to come up...she cuddled right up next to me, put her little head on my chest and purrrrrrrrred. Reminds me of Israel Houghton's song a few years ago "I Am Not Forgotten"

This blog post is part of Gracelaced Mondays

Grace Greater

Overwhelmed by the free gift He's given me.

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,

Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,

Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Refrain

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.

What can avail to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,

Brighter than snow you may be today.

Refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain

Words: Julia H Johnston, in Hymns Tried and True (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: The Bi­ble In­sti­tute Col­port­age As­so­ci­a­tion, 1911), num­ber 2.

Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1910 

This post is part of Gracelaced Mondays Linkup

Filled to Fullness

John 1:16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. (NIV)

Ephesians 3:16-19 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (NIV) Being FULL of God. So full, that the puzzle and mystery of my life doesn't stress me out, that i don't need to worry about what comes next, how will we pay for this and that... but that I would be able to see the blessings He has given to me. My prayer today. Childlike excitement over finishing their 20 piece puzzle. together. without fighting and arguing. that was a blessing. resting, without fear or insecurity. in a house that isn't her home. isn't that how we should live our lives? without worry..knowing that even though this world is not our home, our Father will protect and provide for us. because He LOVES US. Filled to Fullness...the FULLNESS of the knowledge of the love that Christ gave to us, undeserved, yet passionately not because of who we are. not because of what we've done, but because He wants us. Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (NASB) This post is part of a linkup that anyone is free to join. Finding Grace Laced within our lives.

Grace In Dire Circumstances

Mark 4:39

New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

he lay stretched on the floor, arms over his head when i arrived in the room. and i knew. serious face. bearing down. i begin a fervent prayer. i'd seen this before, and it meant a long night in the emergency room and follow ups with heart doctors.

"Lord please slow down his heart."

it was happening again. his random SVT .

i silently, briskly walked into the bathroom and wet a cloth with icy water. placed it on his back. a shock. but the rhythm steady. too fast.

he jumped into an icy shower. taking his breath away, but not the rapid beating of a wild heart.

my mind was desperate. i was praying for the Creator to calm His creation.

he lay on the bed, stretched with breath with held.

placing my hand on his unruly heart i spoke the words only an heir should, one with authority over created things. "Peace, Be STILL. Heart, beat at your proper speed. IN THE NAME OF JESUS." as those words left my lips i felt it. underneath my hand. obedience.

humbled. amazed. relieved.

http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/cardiac/0243-pop.html

this post is part of a wonderful link up to Gracelaced.com

draw near

to the degree that i understand grace. i give grace.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


not when i stick to my diet, not when i get my house entirely clean, not when i finally had a great day with no yelling at my kids, not when i finally get organized with my budget, not when i get dinner ready and the table set for dinner before my husband gets home from work....and on and on.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.


it's when we need Him most.

when i'm ready to scream my head off at my children for pulling every last thing out of their closets and laying it all out on the floor...that's when i need His grace...so i can give grace and mercy.

i don't love them just when they are good, when they have behaved well in public and when they have their hair all in place. and He doesn't love me for what i appear to be.

He's approachable. and the more i draw near to him. he'll draw near to me.

Gracelaced Mondays is a blog link up where bloggers can share stories of grace in our lives...check here for more, and don't be afraid to link up as well. 

Savoring my SAHM Status

I've always known that staying home with the kids was not a permanent status in my life, and I have always been okay with that. I went to college right after high school, got my degree in elementary education, taught school for almost ten years, then my husband and I decided to grow our family.  I resigned from my position after the first semester in 2006, and began the journey of being a Stay home mom.

There were days when I was so enthralled with my newborn son, that my husband would come home from work only to find me un-showered and frazzled. Other days when he'd open the door to the scent of a savory new dish I had time to work on. Then the days when I was terribly lonely, and my thoughts mostly were, "I cannot wait until he (my son) is out of diapers and he can do things for himself, and I can go back to work."

When he was six months old, I conceived my second child, and was terrified at the prospect of raising two babies at the same time. I remember when I saw the positive sign on my pregnancy test I was stunned silent. I don't even think I spoke at all that entire day. Shocked would be an understatement.

My daughter was born when my son was 14 months old. He took his first steps while I was in the hospital with her. Bringing my little newborn daughter home and caring for a barely walking, barely speaking toddler was almost more than I could bare. The days were many when my husband would come home to a messy house and a pile of unfolded laundry...an exhausted momma.

My thoughts were mostly fantasies of getting in the vehicle and driving off into the sunset...just me...and then the desire for both children to be out of diapers, both speaking, both doing for themselves...and when oh when would I get to finally go back to work?

~~~~~~ Fast forward to the present.

You really couldn't say I have toddlers any longer. We just celebrated my little man's 5th birthday in December, and my little lady will be 4 early spring. They play together so nicely, I enjoy intelligent conversations with each of them, and they will be attending school in September. Just 8 months away from now. Just 8 months to sleep in and make breakfast and watch Disney Junior in the mornings.

How I would turn back time, to snuggle a thick black haired newborn close to my chest again! But those days are just memories, and I must make new ones, so I am savoring my status for these last 8 months.

Instead of serving breakfast in a flurry of frantic kitchen cleaning, I am purposefully making the moments count. I make a place setting for myself, I sit across from a sweet curly haired thoughtful little boy. We talk about machines and how he wants to grow up to be a man who takes cars apart for people and put new parts in and put them back together.

I enjoy my egg and veggie omelet, take a sip of coffee and whisper a thank-you to God for this moment. For the way He has provided for our little family on one income. How gracious He has been to us, to provide and meet even the smallest needs in unexpected ways. Allowing for me to be here now, in this moment at the table with them.

My little lady sops up her "gooey" egg with toast. She's adventurous, creative, wild at heart. She tells me that she's going to be an animal doctor and drive a mini van and then be a chef and have lots of babies. We giggle as they start singing a song they made up about their baby cars. I am blessed. I clean up their plates and they run off to play...their song inspiring the sounds of hot wheels being dumped onto bedroom floors. This is how these months will flow. Stopping to relish the mundane...to savor my status.

Every Monday, you will see posts labeled "Grace Laced Mondays" It's a blog link up and blogging challenge by my friend Ruth over at www.gracelaced.com . If you want to participate, DO! :)