I Am Thankful For THIS Life

Chloe finally returned to school, but Brett was playing with her backpack and dropped her notebook on the  floor and it busted open spilling papers everywhere!  I was all the way down at the barn and I heard the most awful scream coming from her tiny little self.  I came running all the way up to the house where I was met by Brett who claims, "IT WASN'T MY FAULT!!!!!"

notice the mountain of trash
from her backpack

When I made it to the house only to find out she was throwing a tantrum, I was not very happy.  Instead of yelling too I simply said, "Sometimes when things like this happen it is an opportunity to clean out your backpack."  She just growled.  It reminded me of when she was little and she used to hiss at people.  I had a hard time explaining to other people why she didn't just smile and say thank you, but following a compliment she would often look up at the adult and hiss.  Her only friends for her early life were her cats.  Some things haven't changed, she still hisses.


The playhouse is almost finished.  The only delay was the nailgun breaking at midday.  Chloe was thrilled with the progress and ready to move in.  She already has plans of a sleepover including 500 of her closest friends and family members.  I see an epoch wedding in her future.  I recall the day when she saw a food network show about VooDoo Donuts in Portland, Oregon.  They talked about how it is a common wedding spot.  She decided at that moment her wedding will be at VooDoo Donuts.  How is Portland, Oregon for a destination wedding??  I have a feeling our attendees list will be short.

Chloe's new home in the final stages
of construction.  Move-in date pending.

Since I've been home all week, the house is clean and the dinner menu even includes dessert.  My husband wants this lady to stay.  This lady will be gone by next week and the old me will return with home cooked dinner sans the dessert and a moderately clean home.  I don't know how working moms do it and keep the house clean, too!?!  I have seasons of doing really well and seasons of barely keeping my head above the water.  My husband truly appreciates a good dinner, a dessert, a clean house, fresh laundry and our bed made.  He helps me often, but he really does appreciate when I am able to do it without his help since he works a bunch.  He never complains, but I can tell he smiles on the inside when he comes home to a clean house with dinner served and something baking in the oven. This week I made all of his favorites: meatballs with wild rice and broccoli , meatloaf with mashed potatoes and peas, bbq spare ribs with new potatoes and green beans and tonight was milanesa(chicken fried steak) with poblano rice with corn.  I made a few jello desserts and pineapple upside down cake.  Next week I think soup and sandwiches every night sounds good.

As a mom, we are often responsible for the food and nurturing role even if we aren't better at it.  I truly believe if I could make what my husband makes I would want him to be the stay-at-home parent.  Although I love to cook, I like making recipes and certain foods whereas he can create a delicious dinner out of whatever hides in our pantry.  As far as nurturing, well I'm not sure how I fare in that department, but every one is still alive.  I am blessed to have someone who when I am not at my best steps in to help.  Luckily when I am at my best he sends me the following text message, "Love you.  btw you didn't just look beautiful today, you look beautiful every day."  I'm not sure how I married Prince Charming, but it happened.  Tonight I will close my eyes and thank God for my seemingly perfect life filled with playhouses, farms and Prince Charming and also thank God for his mercy, provision, and abundant blessings of a life undeserved but happily lived.  I hope you will also be grateful for your beautiful lives, not just tonight, but every night.  I am thankful for this life. Goodnight Friends.