Most people don't like Mondays but I do. :) For me, it's a fresh start to a new week. I always feel the more centered on Monday, after planning out my week on Sunday.
Of course, my week never ends up going as planned, so by Friday I'm all discombobulated again, but at least I get Monday and the hope that it gives me that "this week, will run smoothly." :)
Last week we went away for a few days for Thanksgiving. It wasn't the smoothest trip in the world but that was hardly a surprise to us. Given some circumstances in my life, trips "back home" rarely get pulled off without bumps in the road and without my heart hurting along the way. But that's all I'll say about that.
On Tuesday however, we met up with some kindred spirit friends of ours, and thanks to my BIL and SIL, stayed for free in a hotel - -right next to a runway of an international airport! Miraclegirl learned two things very quickly upon our arrival.
One, there was a pool,
and
two, airplanes taking off and landing are "woud!". Sleep was minimal that night for her, which meant it was also minimal for me.
In the beginning it was pure excitement, as well as the total lack of understanding, why, we must sleep when there was a pool to swim in and planes to watch.
Then, it was the trauma of having a new place to deal with. She takes after her Mama. Likes her home and likes her usual routine - and can't sleep well if she is missing it! My husband slept soundly next to us, as she clung to me most of the night and insisted on sleeping on my stomach and chest with her arms clasped tightly around my neck if, and when, she did sleep. No small task for this woman who likes to sleep curled up in a fetal position and hates sleeping on her back!
Now, we're home again, back to our usual daily routine of early mornings, cold outdoor (rainy) work for my husband, and daycare for me.
*happy sigh* I so love my home . . . ! We do not have the easiest life right now as my man struggles to get his business off the ground and it pounds us financially, but still it is a beautiful life, family-wise and I am content (most of the time, that is. :-) I do have my days of self-pity and worry!)
One last thought to leave you all with, if you can spare me a minute of heart to heart sharing on a spiritual level.
This morning I read Philippians 2:3 -4, which states:
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
What does this living look like, as a wife and mother/daycare provider? More specifically, what does it look like with a Type A, driven, task-oriented personality? So often, my to-do list gets in the way of investing in the children's lives, and especially *insert blush* my husband's life. I find it easier to interrupt my list for the kids who have the saddest looking faces looking up at me when they need a hug or attention, but my husband, who is self-sufficient and so easy going, it's way to easy to look out for my own needs first--i.e. finishing up my to-do list for the day instead of spending time with him.
For some, it's not a to-do list. In fact, you can't even comprehend that being an "interest" that gets in the way of others. You have your own things however.
~ TV shows
~ Crafts
~Shopping for what you want
~ Sleep
~ Working out
Here are some dangerous waters I'm really crossing into when I mention these things:
~ Blogging
~ Facebook
~ Online games
~ Entering blog giveaways
While it is ok to do things we enjoy, the things we enjoy must not take the place of investing in the lives of those around us, especially our family members.
Investing.
Not just doing the basics, but a time investment. Think of what investment means for money. It is putting out in a manner that yields results. What results does an investment yield in our children and husband? Love, laughter, memories, strong bond, a life of no regrets, healthy children, a devoted husband, a legacy.
What are you investing in today?
Be blessed!
