Just a BlinkProof Time Flies

I’ve been searching for the perfect remedy for clutter, a balance in work & parenthood, and the answer for how God works in my life. Project after project, prayer after prayer, plan after plan..searching.

But, simplicity found me. Or maybe, it was there all along and I just opened my eyes to see it standing under my nose.

I have come to find simplicity means something different to everyone. How to do you view “simplicity”?

Sewing your own clothes or buying the latest fashions off the rack? Paying bills online or sending them in the mail with, gasp, a stamp? Using all home grown organics or shopping with a grocery delivery service?

My simplicity is this: I live in a complex world in failing body with a forgiven soul. I have a dynamic family, a creative bug and a gift for loving my kids. I think of gratitude, hope for grace and a linger in peace (even in the orchestrated chaos that is the current state of my family).

My projects, prayers and plans can all change. There is no formula. Seek simplicity, look to God, and be grateful for what challenges you and what gives you peace.

Love,

Jess

What a time of year for me to pick for sorting out insurance paperwork, photos and schedules!? What was I thinking?

I’m committed to my cause, but if I didn’t take a minute to stop and smell the flowers, I’d have to be committed.

Love,

Jess

Watching movies like Madeline, Veggie Tales and G-Force. Aren’t my little screen-zombies cute?

Grilling several times a week on our new gas grill. Love it!

Collecting “Junktiques” to be a Junk Market vendor in a local show.

Letting Claire and Leah explore their curiosities.

Claire loves dumping out the DVDs.

Leah loves chomping on her biter biscuits.

So, how have you been lately?

Love,

Jess

The Rest of our Outings

I used my $2.50 store credit. How could I let the credit expire? It’s like throwing money away, right?

I fed Leah a bottle in her stroller, saved Molly from being smashed inside 4 turning jewelry displays and fielded 3 conversations about “How busy we must be!” I replaced about 14 jewelry items to their proper homes, opened 23 ring boxes that had been snapped shut, and taught Ryan the difference between pearls and white beads.

Finally, I found a clearance fashion ring worth $2.40. Oh, yeah, it was worth it.

Next, off to the Dollar Store! After all, Ryan’s 5 1/2 Birthday party supplies weren’t going to jump over to my house by themselves.

(The twins and I came home from the Hospital on his whole birthday, so we put off his kid party until the Spring. I had six months, but now I had only two days and a family road trip the morning after his party, to prepare.)

Molly convinced herself that we needed to prepare now for her 3 year old party in June. I ignored her repeated requests for pink noise makers, balloons and cookies. Really, she requested everything and everything pink she saw.

I let out, “It’s Ryan’s special day!” as cheerily as I could as she continued with her pleas.

I just kept plotting along, throwing red streamers, golden mini-trophies and juice boxes into my basket, which was now, causing my forearm to feel slightly numb.

On our way to the check out counter, Molly put her foot down. Literally, stomped her foot and exclaimed,

“I want to GO to JUNE’s house!”

Followed by another foot stomp and a even louder exclamation,

“For my PINK-ah-LISH-ous party! Now!”

You may think, at this point, I could have pontificated the virtues of using an inside voice and being self-less. What did I do?

Laugh!

“Who’s house do you want to go to for your party?” I asked surprisingly.

Molly slightly hyper-ventilating explained, “June’s house for my, my, my 3 party.”

I’m quite positive, all the ‘How old is big sister?’ conversations with on-lookers, have gotten her mind a bit cloudy on when her birthday will come along.

I assured her that I will make her pink cupcakes in a few months and gave her a hug.

More importantly, I headed home. Enough outings for one day. I still had to make dinner, make sure all our clothes were clean for our road trip and email my family about Leah and Claire in the Cutest Baby contest for our local paper.

More to Come…

Love,

Jess