All of a sudden I woke up. The room was dark but our closet light was on. My husband, Rich, was getting dressed for work. I was startled, “What time is it?” “It’s okay, honey, go back to sleep”, he said. After he left I tossed and turned, wide awake. I got up to check the time.
It was 2 a.m.
Why? Why did he go to work in the middle of the night? I went back to bed and tossed and turned for an hour. I got back up at 3 and called Rich. It turned out that he couldn’t sleep and decided he may as well go to work. *deep, deep, sighing* on my part. After we got off the phone I actually went online for a little while, then ate a snack and went back to bed with a book. At about 4, I fell asleep. 6:30, and Caleb’s noises, came all too soon.
As I stumbled out to the couch and put Jacob and Ethan in charge of pouring Caleb’s cereal, I felt terrible. I don’t think I felt that tired since Caleb was a week old!
Oh well, what to do? I drank a couple mugs of coffee and ate a bowl of Cheerios. Then, I wandered around the house and yard with my camera. Just counting my blessings.
Patches is always tired after a night of prowling.
Caleb found another marker. He loves to draw on himself. I gave him a bath this morning to make him sweet and clean again.
When I went upstairs, I found Jacob, Ethan, and Grace drawing. They draw figures and vehicles, all kinds, and cut them out. We have stacks of original art by them. They are quite industrious about it.
Here is David, just after he woke up. He still has sleepy eyes.
Our coffee table is currently covered in Thomas the Tank Engine stickers. (Caleb)
Decorating for fall.
The zinnias are still growing.
I like to tuck the boy’s trucks and tractors right in my flower beds.
I found these buttery handprints on the porch steps.
Maybe I will sit here later?
After his bath, Caleb spent some time looking at Mama’s blog. I love that little tongue and his little finger spinning the mouse dial. Imagine a 2 year old learning the computer already!
Some artwork by little hands. David drew this picture.
A reminder to live simply, to cherish the little things in life.
An inspiring (to me) quote for homemakers:
“Across the years, the old home and its love called to me
and memories of sweet words of counsel came flooding back.
I realized that all my life the teachings of those early days
have influenced me and the example set by father and mother
has been something I have tried to follow, with failures
here and there, with rebellion at times, but always coming
back to it as the compass needle to the star.
So much depends on the homemakers. I sometimes
wonder if they are so busy now, with other things, that they
are forgetting the importance of this special work.
Nothing can ever take the place of this early home influence
and, as it does not depend upon externals, it may be the
possession of the poor as well as the rich,
a heritage from all fathers and mothers to their children.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder
(something I read in the middle of last night!)
I talked to Rich not long ago. I called to tell him that he has already put his 8 hours in, and to come home. He had to leave a meeting to take my call and he told me that there was an emergency at work and that he wanted me to pray. It’s a long story, it’s a business crisis that doesn’t involve anyone’s life or death–but will make Rich’s day at work a long, long, stressful one. I am uneasy here at home, concerned about how much he puts of himself into his job, and knowing that he will be tired when he returns home to us.
And, I am here at home with the little ones. After I post this, I will start on our day of school. I will try my best, with God’s help and power, to get through my day with love and gratitude in my heart, even though I am so very tired!
Have a lovely day, friends!
