Peace

My school went to a workshop yesterday where I got to hear experts speak on whatever it is that they are experts on. My favorite of the day was Dr. Tim Hogan. He asked a very simple question at one point: What brings you peace? 

As in, what do you do to re-center, re-focus, re-charge and re-connect with God.

My go-to answer is writing. But yesterday I sat there and thought about why. I write simple little weekend recaps. Nothing earth shattering or world changing. I just write to remember. But then I thought about the process. I can be having such a bad morning. I probably woke up late (always), my kids probably moved like sloths (always) and my projector probably isn't working (always). 

But when I sit down to write about what we have been up to that all seems to melt away. I am not only reminded of what we did, I am reminded of all that I have to be thankful for. Our days go by in what seems like a blink of an eye but looking back, remembering and writing recaps re-charges me, re-centers me and re-connects with me God. When I wrap up a post I feel refreshed and ready to look for the good and the positive and the love in my life. Because God has filled my life with so much good and positive and love. Sometimes it takes me sitting down and writing it all out to remember that. I click publish with a prayer of thanks on my lips.

This cutie doesn't necessarily bring me peace but he does bring me JOY! My happy-go-lucky Baby B is back. When Bennett is feeling good aka not cutting teeth, he is such a little toy. He cackles like Emery, has a constant smile on his face and doesn't stop moving for a second. His new trick is peek-a-boo and it might be the funniest thing ever. He will use whatever he can find--blanket, toy, dinner plate and will hold it up to his face, push it away and laugh his big, hoarse, belly-laugh. His eyes will be watering he is laughing so hard and so will our's. I just can't believe this is birthday month. Right now he is battling a bad snotty nose (so is Auggie and I am sure so will Emery, Doug and I by the end of the week) and has a great big goose egg between his eyes. But I could still just eat him up. 

Friday we had some impromptu fun at the park. The Probst's invited us to to play baseball (Auggie actually played. Em was the cheerleader, naturally.) When I got their invite Emery was already outside playing with her neighbor/best friend so instead of breaking their hearts I asked if our neighbor girl could just join us. The girls were so surprised and excited. What an easy way to make their day! Auggie was in little boy heaven running around, getting all his wiggles out. 

While on the subject of Auggie, I have to talk about how school is going. He loves it....and he also already received his first timeout. This past Tuesday I asked him the regular questions:

M: How was your day, Buddy?

A: Dooood.

M: So you were a good boy all day?

A: Yep........actually no.

Yes, he really did use the word actually. He went on to explain that his teacher asked him to sit on the carpet (3x) "but I just wanted to walk around....so I just walked around." I know it doesn't sound like much and I know he is a good boy...but my goodness he is stubborn. I wanted to be like at least play with a toy or something.....but just walk around!?!

Yesterday I thanked his pre-school teacher for giving my stubborn man a timeout and we talked about how completely different Em and Aug are. So different yet I love them both so so much. A timeout at school is new territory for Doug and I....but I am positive it won't be our last!

Back to Friday night. After ball at the park we came home just in time for Uncle Chuck to pull in with Douglas right behind him. With Pizza! I don't believe in cooking supper on a Friday night so when my husband offers to get pizza we get pizza. After supper we made a fire, ate s'mores, told spooky stories and danced to John Deere Green in the moonlight. Em's bestie even got to stay out with us. I hope that these are the kind of nights my kiddos remember forever. Simple and care-free. 

Aren't me and my boyfriend so cute? Auggie has been extra love-ie with me lately. He craves my cuddles I hope he forever wants me to carry him. (Probably trying to get back into my good graces after that timeout!) Anyway, Saturday I slept in (in Auggie's bed I might add) and then ran six miles. You read that right! I, Miss Couldn't Run a Quarter of a Mile a Few Months Ago, ran six miles without stopping. And I didn't hate it. Who am I? The race that my friends and I have been training for is this coming weekend and I am a little bit nervous and a whole lot excited. I added cooler weather and no injuries/colds to my prayer list for this week. Saturday must be catch up on sleep day at our house because all three kids took big naps (B took two) and then we headed out the door refreshed and ready to celebrate at a surprise birthday party. If I were told to make a random list of things that I love it would include bonfires, fall sunsets, girlfriends and homemade cheesecake. This night had it all. Well not enough cheesecake. There is no such thing. 

It was my turn to wake up early with the big kids on Sunday. I love their sleepy eyes and the fact that they wanted to cuddle together on the couch. It didn't last long (Auggie believes in eating "breastfist" immediately after waking) but it was sweet while it lasted. My big kids are seeming real big all of a sudden. I am not sure how I feel about it to be honest. 

Sunday afternoon we celebrated at another birthday party. A Jansen one this time! I caught them mid cupcake bite and it cracks me up. Kids ran around for a few hours and I got to visit with Sue and Aunt Vicki which was nice. Made me realize that I haven't seen much of the Jansen clan in a while. Sunday nights are always bath nights. I used conditioner in Em's hair for the first time because it was a tangled mess and she thought it was ah-maz-ing. She also needed to know why I have a razor in the bathroom like Daddy does. And she thinks she is about 15 now. Its little moments like that that hit me the hardest. That re-focus me and re-connect me to God. A funny mother-daughter moment, an out of the blue "I wuv you" from my middle, uncontrollable belly laughs from B. I have realized that moments like this are sprinkled just perfectly throughout my day. Anxiety or stress or emotions can well up quickly but man it doesn't take long to feel the peace that these moments, and the peace that writing, brings to me. 

Writing, running, praying in the shower (my best conversations with God happen in the shower. Not sure why) and perfectly timed little moments with my kids. Thats my short list of what brings me peace and back to God.

So. What's on your list?