Happiness is Homemade

just when I think life will slow down, a million little (and some big) responsibilities land in my lap. We've been super busy around these parts. Home improvement projects, end of the "school year" activities, church assignments, and family coming in town EVERY weekend to visit. Just after Cindy and Matt left yesterday, we calendared out the rest of June... and life isn't going to slow down any time soon. We have had (and will continue to have) a rotating door on our guest room. As soon as I wash the sheets from the previous visitors, someone new is here to stay! And we love it!

Needless to say, I have been feeling MUCH better. I am still throwing up a few times a week, but nothing compared to a few months ago. The baby is moving and kicking all of the time and I have so much more energy-- which I am sure is exactly why I am going overboard in the house cleaning/home improvement projects. It's like I've been trapped in my own personal cage for 4 months and someone has finally let me out! I have been cooking up a storm and I know everyone in my house is happy about it. In fact, this morning before church, Ben and I were cutting up potatoes and carrots for the meal afterward. He paused for a second and said, "I am so glad you're feeling better!" I thought it was such a genuine and sweet comment. Then he followed it up by, "It seems like all you wanted to do before was lay around all day." He has really had to pick up the slack around the house and I am sure he's ready for a break! and I am thrilled to give it to him.

Speaking of household responsibilities-- I was talking with a few friends the other night about the dreaded chore of bringing in groceries from the car. I was telling them to wait just a few more years until their children are old enough to carry them in for you. My kids are SO good about unloading the car when we get home from any errand running... one of the girls jokingly asked if my boys put all the groceries away and separate the meat when I buy it in bulk. "No they do not," I answered. "But that is a brilliant suggestion." Last week, my boys had their first tutorial on how to separate raw meat. I was there for it all, but didn't have to touch a single slimy breast! yay for me!


The wall hanging in the background of these pictures has been in my kitchen for the past few months. It reads "Happiness is Homemade". I have known that to be true for some time now, but it seems like recently I've savored these little moments I have with my children. They are growing so tall and mature. Ben will turn ten next month and that blows my mind. They're not going to be around much longer and I am trying to cherish all the little memories we are making together.

We finished reading Peter Pan last week. What a fabulous, beautifully written story. We've all seen in it cartoons, but there is something about the written word that brings a different perspective to life. I absolutely LOVED what I got from the book. In fact, during the last few chapters, I had to keep myself from bursting out in tears. It's such a simple make-believe story, but there is truth in the pages and it spoke to me. Wendy's role in Neverland was so poignant, so powerful. She was brought to Neverland to become Mother to all of the Lost Boys. Before she came, they didn't know what a bedtime story was. She tucked them in at night and gave them their medicine (which was usually water) but somehow it always made them feel better. Captain Hook and his pirates were so jealous that they wanted to capture Wendy and keep her for their own Mother. Everyone needs a Mother!

This story made me grateful for the loving, nurturing mother who raised me. She was up EVERY morning before school cooking me a hot breakfast. At times, I felt annoyed that she was shoving scrambled eggs and toast in my lap when I was trying to dry my hair... and I am ashamed of myself now for being so unappreciative of her early morning labors. But now as I am a Mother, I understand how important it is to be there... to let your children know that you will always be there, no matter what. They will eventually grow up and leave the nest, but you will still ALWAYS be their Mother. And for that I am so grateful.

The only thing I have been able to do well these past few months is read to my children. I don't know what it is about crawling into bed next to them and reading a meaningful or silly or sometimes emotional story that makes me feel so warm inside, but I think it has something to do with the fact that Happiness is Homemade. When I am reading a story aloud- I feel as though I am doing the very thing I was sent here to do. To me, it's a real apology for snapping at them early that morning or making them do the dishes when they would rather play all day long. It doesn't matter what the story is or how long I read, it matters that I stop whatever I am doing that I think is important and say goodnight properly. Of course, it doesn't happen every night, but I've realized that I've yet to regret a single night I've read to my kids. There are plenty of other things I've done late at night that are not worthy of my time, but reading a classic book aloud to my children is one of the most time-worthy things I can do as a Mother.

A little while ago, I was emailed by a friend (hi Terica!) who asked me for advice on what books to read to her children this summer. I never got a chance to respond, and I wish I had the time to do so now-- but my husband is finally home and my kids are begging to do something as a family. so stay tuned for a list of my favorite books to read. If I don't get around to it any time soon, pick a book- any book- off the shelf and start reading! I promise you won't regret it.