a. Ballet flat

I walked to a funeral.

Peter’s Grandma Rose passed away peacefully at 92. She loved to play organ, read pulp novels, watch action films and smoke cigarettes. She had the most perfect manicure all the time. Her earring collection was sparkly and plentiful. I’ll miss you Gramma.

b. Athletic shoe

I walked down stairs to workout – nearly everyday.

P90X, baby. I am on week 3 of my quest for fitness. I have found muscles I’d forgotten about, so that’s good. The kids love watching us jump and around on our workout mats. It’s even inspired them to workout a time or two.

c. High heels

I walked to a black-tie political dinner event.

Open-toe, sling back, sequined pumps gave me just the right amount of “i’m not just a SAHM in slippers” vibe that I so desperately needed. (nothing wrong with the slipper vibe either).  It was nice to  sit next to my hubby and some good friends, during a meal that did not involve chicken nuggets.

d. Plaid canvas

I walked into a gorgeous horse barn for an outdoor wedding.

I was one of the most special, beautiful ceremonies I’ve ever witnessed. To get to the wedding, I drove 2 states away (for 9 hours) and left my 2 babies behind (for 5 days)! Ryan and Molly loved their first road trip and the captive audience (parents in the front seat).

e. Buckled loafer

I walked to a friend to deliver a meal.

My good friends just had their 4th child – total of 4 girls! I put together a meal for a grill-out. Potato salad, meat, bars – yum! I love warm Spring days especially when their is a new life to celebrate. They named her Clara. So sweet!

Do your shoes tell a story? Where have you been lately?

Love,

Jess

Welcome Home Pete

Fatigue is just part of the game.

He and I greeted each other with a hug. We st00d in the kitchen, sleeping on each others shoulders, until one of our kids asks to be lifted up into the hug with us. We don’t really rest until 4 other little bodies are completely passed out in their beds.

Even then we’re on call.

Hunger is to be expected.

Dinnertime comes at the same time – everyday.  Try as I may, to get my menu plans in order, sometimes life just gets in the way. What’s for dinner when we are getting ready to leave town, the morning after our son’s birthday party? Pickles, fruit roll-ups and frosting. Awesome.

Good thing Peter is a master griller! He cooked up some meat and made a meal. A nice expression of his love for me – a night off from service.

Family time fills my heart up again.

Inside, I fed the babies their bottles in the living room. Outside, squeals of laughter bounced through the open screen door hitting every square inch of this house. (Yes, I’ll admit, sometimes the squeals of tears loom around the house too.)

I guess it is all the little things, that makes my house a home.

It’s all the little things that I need strength to get through.

It’s all the little things that help me grow into a woman of character.

A familiar breeze, a loving haven, a sad story and a life time of joyful memories that make my heart fill up, time and time again.

The good, the bad, the everyday.

I could carry on about my day -

My salon appointment mix-up after the kids were in bed or How we left the cover off the sand box before it rained (again) or About how the ring I bought was the wrong size and needed returning.

But alas, the evening eventually came to a close. Slumber took me into the next day. And God carried me through yet another day full of life.

Even when my days blend together with driving, wiping, fixing, loving, teaching, yelling and trying; I will cloth myself in strength and dignity.

Love,
Jess

Proverbs 31: 15
She gets up while it is still dark;

Some folks are naturally night owls, while others arise cheerily with the dawn. My energy peeks around mid-morning. Getting up while it’s still dark does not “do it” for everyone. How about you? When is your prime time?

I need sleep. My goodness, if I was up for the day at 4:55 a.m. I’d be ready for bed by 4:55 p.m. For real, passed out by dinner. So, during this time of baby raising and 5 a.m. feedings (if not 4:30 a.m.) I’m choosing to sleep.

I may not see the sunrise. But, I do see the point of this verse.

Be ready to serve, reflect, prepare or whatever it is that is needed to get your daily priorities straight…at anytime. Let nothing come between you and your purpose.

It is my priority to sleep until daybreak, or rather, go back to sleep after I have already been up feeding babies in the dark. (Which, among other things is my purpose these days.)

Until, another time Dark, until another time.

Love,

Jess