Mornings...this is one of my favorites.

I walked upstairs this morning to find three of my kiddos dancing to Jana Alyra, a children's worship CD that will never get old.  My girls are twirling and singing about how Christ's love knows no bounds.  I come in with my coffee and see what brings me to tears.  My oldest girl says she just taught her little brother about Jesus.  Jack is our baby, at 2 years old he is hardly a baby, but a baby we call him nontheless.  She says look mom...and Jack folds his hands and bows his head...,"Dear God, I love you Jesus, Amen!"...new words for my two year old.  My daughter says, "I told him about how Jesus loves him and how to pray".  I told her that God delights when we share His Good News with others and how delighted He will be with her.  She then asked, "Am I in the book of Lambs"?  I smiled and said she is already in the "Lambs book of life".  She then asked if she could sing me a song she made up...."God is good...I can't wait to enter into his gates...He loves me...".  Precious.  My heart melts.  How precious God's children are to him and how precious are the ones who worship Him without limits.  Even in our big city life with busy comings and goings I am thankful for these moments that we just sit and dance.  We have no plans or agendas.  We are in the moment with God and His Love.

Taking care of myself

My friend was starting this diet and she asked if I wanted to join her.  I am not much of a dieter.  I actually am slightly opposed to depriving yourself of foods that you want/enjoy.  However, getting older and facing the fact that I am not going to actually be able to exercise the way I used to, I thought I would try the diet.  I must add that I am not following the diet exactly....it is a loose interpretation of the suggested meals.  My findings so far (two weeks in to the diet) have been thus, I have lost 5 pounds and gained a new appreciation for myself.  Not because of the 5 pounds, but because of the time I have spent on myself these past few weeks.  I have four small children and rarely eat more than a peanut butter and jelly left over crust, some chips and a coffee during the day. These past few weeks I have actually spent time on thinking about what to eat.  I have carefully selected colorful vegetables and saute'ed them, added spices and seasoning, and a protein of some sort.  I have grilled and cooked for myself a plethora of things for three meals a day for two weeks.  I have begun to love this time each day.  I thought I would hate taking the time to chop and stir every meal for myself (as I seem to channel the essence of a short-order chef when I cook for my kids). So, bless my friend who made me try this diet.  I am not much of a dieter, but now it's personal.  I deserve to eat food that will allow my body to be the best mom it can be.