Quality time and our home

It's funny how we re-learn the same lesson over and over again, but we don't realize it until we *think* we've learned it yet again. For instance: I have experienced, multiple times, just how important quality time is with my children, especially Chelsea. But in the last two days, I've experienced and learned it again.

Yesterday was kind of stinky. I did pretty good with being patient for most of the day, and then - I didn't (why oh why are you fighting me about going potty before quiet time?) So today, I really didn't want a repeat and I asked her to think of something she wanted me to do with her before quiet time today. She just wanted to play. I spent 10 minutes with her, building a Lego zoo and then, when I told her to give me a kiss before I left, she gave me a kiss, and I went upstairs. Now, that's not to say she was a perfectly perfect angel and stayed in her room for a full 90-120 minutes, but I decided that it really didn't matter so much if she came up a couple of times to show me something or tell me something (I'm trying to remember my 2016 word of the year).

I love these "aha" moments, when it feels like the sun is coming up over the horizon and you just feel warm and fuzzy inside. I think that's God's way of giving you a thumbs up.

^^excited to have a baby brother!^^

^^trying to teach chelsea how to take a photo with my camera. not bad, right?^^

Something else I've been thinking a lot about recently (because of the nesting instinct, really), is how grateful I am for my home and for the man who provides it. My house isn't totally where I want it yet (some walls leave me in a stupor), but every time I clean it up and look around, I feel so blessed to be where I am.

^^i love this little corner where chelsea hangs her art!^^

^^mine and chelsea's chairs from looking at photos on the computer together. quality time!^^

Well, hopefully this time next week, I'll have a babe to introduce to you, but we'll just have to wait and see! Thanks for stopping by!