It's kinda strange continually coming into a quiet home, a "clean" home, the toys stay in their place, the pillows still on the couches, the bathroom sink clean with no sign of blue toothpaste in sight, no crumbs under the table (well, not totally but a lot less), no Curious George videos or Disney or Sprout, no requests for the iPad when I am using it, no asking for snacks, ability to have full conversations when out to eat, no requests to go outside and play, repetitive statements about what we are doing next to prepare busy children and meltdowns can be avoided, no thinking through what's for supper (because yes, we have gone out to eat most of the week...OK pretty much the whole week, our budget may not like it but oh well!), packing everyone into the van when we leave the house, the regular daily routine that are non-existent when the kids are gone could go on and on.
Although it's nice to have continual peace and quiet for what will end up being a almost of week, I know this soon will pass, and of course as a stay-at-home mother, I am all right with that. Because of course, it's so nice to have all of this for little awhile, but you start missing the hugs, the kisses, the "mama, will you cuddle with me?," singing "Jesus Loves Me" with Clara before she goes to bed, the giggles, the chasing, reading stories, hearing the funny things that they say, dancing and smiles in the van...there are so many more blessings to having sweet children constantly around that way outweigh the challenges and demands of having a preschooler and toddler at my feet all day while I balance playing and household tasks and the to do list.
We have been enjoying going out to eat with friends and by ourselves, a movie (Admission with Tina Fey and Paul Rudd), some shopping (mostly Clara's birthday shopping and Easter baskets!), watching some TV (turns out I'm not really missing much anyways), uninterrupted reading, my biggest task I started and completed yesterday is painting the kitchen. We are excited about this and pleased with our color choice. We decided to go neutral, and I think it turned out great! I'm real brave it's actually the color we used in our home in Kentucky in the majority of the house, hey! if it's not broke don't fix it! :) It looks more like us now, eventually my plan is to decorate with accents in a multi-color theme which will tie in with my new living room theme (still in process as well)...this all may take me awhile because I am on a decorating spending fast :) so someday, it will be the way I want it in reality and not just an idea in my mind. We have a lot of outside work, I started on that yesterday as well, we plan to do some more work this afternoon after I enjoy a girl's lunch out in a little while. I'm trying to have a balance of relaxing, fun, and being productive - doing tasks around the house that are much easier to do without the kiddos around. The fact that I got the kitchen done makes me feel extremely productive!
I have much to be thankful for - healthy, bright children, a faithful husband, a committed "I'm-in-this-for-the-long-haul" marriage (thank God!), grandparents on both sides who love to spend time with their grandchildren, friends and family who continue to love us through all the stages of life, new lifelong friends here in Tupelo who challenge us to be parents who are raising children in the Lord, being part of a church where Eric's gifts can be used and vision is shared and lived out, a little home that we love...even though we are enjoying the quiet now and making the most of these moments, the truth is we will be just as content welcoming our little ones home on Thursday, bringing with them - toys strewn everywhere, pulling at our legs making requests, cleaning hands, changing diapers, the night time routine - that's our normal and for that I'm thankful...we look forward to celebrating Easter with them and Eric's parents. After all the Easter celebrations, we will go straight into Clara's SECOND birthday celebration - I can't believe she's 2! - Minnie Mouse themed party with a few of her little friends. Hoping for a beautiful weekend!
Keeping my heart focused on scripture and remembering the reason we celebrate Easter, praying that the true meaning of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross, grace and forgiveness -- and what the resurrection and new life means for us in our daily lives. Praying that this lent and Easter season will be meaningful in your own life, that the candy, bunnies, egg hunts, etc. will not take the place of what the cross and resurrection is meant to be!
As always, thanks for stopping!
Love,
Kendra
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