Our Kind of Saturday

I just wanted to take a minute to write a few lines before the kids wake up from their little cat nap. Today has been a good day. Seriously. It was simple. Relaxed. Yet productive. And most importantly, it was together.

We cleaned. Got a bit of organizing work done on the computer. Crafted Christmas cards together. Listened to Christmas music and then had 'gym class' (which pretty much constitutes the kids running circles around the house) while Jason put together some lunch. I feel so fortunate to have some great helpers. Sometimes I feel a little guilty that I lucked out with some kids who love helping so much that tasks like laundry are a pleasure and, sometimes, our kids even say doing laundry together was their favorite part of the day (a fact I'm sure I will need to remind them of some day).

The point isn't about what we did though, the point really is that we did it together and all worked toward a common cause. And it was in those moments when we were all cutting and gluing as we sat around our coffee table that I finally felt the Christmas spirit start to fill the room right to the very corners. I felt joy. And with how stressed I have felt with trying get us all settled down here it was the most beautiful feeling I could have asked for. But even better, is that I saw those sparkles in my kids' eyes as they got adequately covered in glitter and glue. We love to create.

We're all excited for the afternoon. It isn't what I am sure most would consider spectacular but it's pretty special to us. We'll go walking. Jason and the kids have asked for me to cut their hair. We'll make messes with bubbles in the bathtub. Lick the spoons from making chocolate chip pancakes then settle in under the glow of the Christmas tree and watch a movie.

And while I am sure that there will likely be some tantrums along the path of this afternoon, they certainly won't be what color the day - we will - with laughter, smiles and hugs. Cheesy? Yes. But these are the kind of Saturdays that fill us up for the busy weeks ahead. The kids have helped us plan so many ways to serve in the coming weeks and we're all pretty excited. So today I feel every bit of pleasure of soaking in the normal, every day, beauty.

Normal day, let me be aware
of the treasure that you are.
let me learn from you, love you,
bless you before we depart.
Let me not pass you by in quest
of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
let me hold you while I may,
for it may not be always so. one day
I shall dig my nails into the earth,
or bury my face in the pillow,
or stretch myself tart,
or raise my hands
to the sky and want, more
than all the world, your return.

 Author: Mary jean iron

Feeling so grateful for this gift of today. Grateful to serve my family as a wife and a mother. And grateful for us to work together to serve others.