Outside my window…there is a gentle breeze.

I am thinking…I never get tired of seeing the world through little eyes.  Before arriving at the beach, I dread the sand, the heat, the effort.  Once we’re there, I watch their little eyes take it all in and I, too, am reminded of how little we are and how great this world is and I know that the effort is totally worth it.

I am remembering…Every now and then when we’re eating lunch, I let the kids watch Super Why!  Monday I turned it on only to find that Super Why! was not on, but instead a new show called Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was on.  The episode was about how “if something seems bad, turn it around and find something good.”  I let the kids watch it while I caught up on email and such.  Halfway through, I lost my internet connection.  I let out a grunt and said, “Ugh, I just lost my internet connection.”  William quickly piped up that I should turn it around and find something good.  At first I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.  I confusedly asked, “What?”  William patiently replied, “Just like they said, Mommy, when something seems bad, you should turn it around and find something good.”   Point well made, William (and PBS).

Ah, but that’s not the end of this story.  The next day after lunch, Andrew threw all of his leftover food on the floor (which was about half of his lunch).  I picked it all up (or so I thought) and went about my business.  Joseph was sitting in the kitchen talking to me when I stepped on a piece of grape from Andrew’s lunch.  “Ugh,” I grunted.  Joseph asked what was wrong.  I explained that I was frustrated that Andrew had thrown all of his lunch on the floor and that I kept stepping on bits of it.  “Well,” Joseph replied thoughtfully, “let’s see if we can find something good about this.”  I looked at him.  “Just like we learned yesterday, Mommy, you know, on PBS.  Let’s turn this around and find something good.  So if Roo threw his food on the floor, what can you tell me is good about it?  Now before you tell me, Mommy, I just want you to know that I really think this might be a virtue lesson.  Finding something good when it seems bad really does seem like a virtue, doesn’t it?”

I thought I was the teacher here.  I have so much to learn.

I am thankful…for blue skies.

In the refrigerator…a carton of coconut milk.  Always.  Nothing makes a better smoothie than coconut milk.

I am wearing…jean shorts and a blue v-neck t-shirt.

I am creating…wooden saint dolls to add to our collection.

I am going…to attempt a garden again this fall.

I am wondering…what is it about taking the cushions off of the couch that amuses children so?

I am reading…The Rhythm of Family by Amanda Blake Soule.

On my iPod…Uncle Tom’s Cabin.  It’s long and my walks have been short lately.

I am looking forward to…my next cup of tea.  I may just be addicted.

I am learning…that my attention is worth more than gold to these little children of mine.

Around the house…we’re schooling.  We’re playing.  We’re loving.

I am pondering…the thought that sometimes we are failing.

I am praying…for our friends, Kateri and Joey, as they continue to mourn the loss of their 6 year old son, Avery.  If you are able to help financially, please click over to the memorial fund for Avery.  In Kateri’s request for help, she reminded us that “Just like the little loving actions of that special boy in his daily life, there is NO amount too small to help us through this.”  Please consider giving.

A favorite quote for today…”Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could.”  St. Gregory Nazianzen

One of my favorite things…reading to Andrew.

A peek into my day…

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