Quiet

Richard took some time off for the weekend. We had a quick trip (more on that later) and yesterday was our "recoup" time. He spent the morning at the pool with the older girls. I spent the morning with the younger ones grocery shopping. Almost seems an unfair deal, right?! But I have to admit, there was hardly a sole at the store other than the stockers and us and this little girl very much enjoyed her Momma's attention and having the role of the "big girl" for a couple of hours. (and on a side note, I hope I never forget the image of her spotting the marshmallows and skipping up ahead of me to them shouting "Look, Momma!  They have MUSHROOMS!!"  Oh, please don't grow up too fast Kate:)!!)

After lunch I put Olivia down and Richard took the everyone else back to the pool. Of course I wanted to be at the pool with them, but what a priceless gift to have quiet for almost three hours! I think if I had this once a week, I'd be a completely different person:).

It's back to the nitty gritty this morning. My head is already buzzing with my endless list of things that I need to accomplish. But I did have some time to sit and read and pray this morning. The sermon I heard on Sunday fell right in line with the two books I'm currently reading in the mornings ... the bottom line "God doesn't desire us to be happy, but holy. Happiness is just the added bonus."

I hope you all are enjoying your week! Hard to believe another one is almost over. Am I getting older, or are the summers just going by faster??

Thank you to all of you who have made comments on my posts or sent emails to my inbox. I will get back to you, promise!!! I've enjoyed hearing from you and finding your blogs, as well.  For now, I'm off to my day.  After receiving some helpful advice from an experienced hydrangea grower, I am going to give my third attempt at rooting some of mine today.  I'll let you know how I do ...

Blessings to you all!
To God be the Glory.
MK

A Summary of Today

Today was as full as any of my days have ever been.  Overall it was a good day.  Of course there were many things not checked off on the "to-do list" (which many days I consider my "must do" list), and there were many failures in parenting along the way ... but the day was a good day and as I sit here typing this, so many thoughts run through my mind of how blessed I am and how life, even on the days where everything is not checked off and where I fail miserably as a parent, life is such a tremendous and priceless gift.

So briefly, here was my day ...
the girls slept in an extra 30 minutes this morning, so I had time to enjoy the below on my back porch.

I also found time to sit with the girls at lunch (something I used to do everysingleday until this year ... OH THIS YEAR!!!)

And then this ... I finally got a photo from almost 2 years ago framed and up on the wall (I know this sounds extreme and probably is, but in all fairness it was taken in AL while we were visiting from KS and when it was ready to frame I had just had a baby and was in the process of moving to GA and just figured I'd get it when I got there and then we were busy moving in and Richard deployed ... etc. etc.).

We had some errands to run this afternoon and when I returned home I found an email in my inbox from my sister in law, who forwarded and email from a girl I knew in college about this girl pregnant with inoperable brain cancer.  Click the link.  Read the story.  Pray for this girl, her baby, her husband, her family. Then go and hug all your sweet little ones and your spouse, too!  Thank God for your life, for your health and for theirs.  Go to bed remembering the gift of life you had today and excited about the gift of life you'll be blessed to have in the morning.

I've had Great is Thy Faithfulness stuck in my head all day after reading this entry on Planted by Streams.
Yes, "All I have needed, Thy hands have provided!  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."

To God be the Glory,
Goodnight.