from home

I posted the above picture on instagram last week.  I was working at home during kiddo nap time.  I have a little desk set up in the guest room.  And by little, I do mean little -- it is a children's desk.  But I love it because it is mine and has been mine since I qualified for it's size.  This particular day I asked David if he would mind making me some coffee.  He delivered it with dark chocolate crumbles and orange peel tonic water reminiscent of what my sister-in-law served us when she was a barista in Saint Louis.  I swooned at his thoughtfulness and creativity and then staged an insta-pretty pic.  Threw in some washi tape and grabbed a sketch book.  The tape sits on my little desk.  I wasn't using it.  The sketch pad isn't for sketching - I don't sketch.  I doodle some and write letters on it.  So the pic looks like a "wow working from home is a dream," but it wasn't my job that day.

I'm sorry if I fooled you with my picture.  Pretting up things some days is fun, a good break from the real tasks of the day, and a way of creating and seeing beauty.  So it wasn't meant as a guise, but a little creative outlet.  I did greatly enjoy my little coffee parlor treat.  It spurred me on to finish writing a devo for discipleship groups and do some planning for the rest of the week's events.  I was serenaded by a favorite Apple Radio station and  It was a nice productive afternoon.

This is what yesterday looked like...

And you know what?  It too was a nice productive afternoon.  A nice day.

I went to a meeting in the morning and worked at the church office for a few hours while David stayed home with M & H.  I came home to help with lunch and then continued my work from the couch sandwiched between and under the two nuggets.  I was serenaded by the sounds of PBS and post-nap melt downs as I desperately worked my way through converting email addresses for our new work server all so I could accomplish mailing just one email.  I also played "check up" no less than 10 times.  Changed a few diapers and proctored a few time outs.

Juggling hats isn't always glamorous (heck. depending on who's looking, maybe it never is).  There are plenty of frustrations and so many areas that I need lots of grace in.  Things fall through the cracks.  I forget my promises to take a turn at the dishes.  Loose my temper.  The tv stays on too long as distraction for Magnolia.  I inevitably end up writing Sunday school lessons on Saturday because I just couldn't get it done during the week.  I do what I need to do and do what I can do with lots of grace to myself and from others thrown in.  

Whenever I need reminding of God's love and design for my life, my jobs (at home and work) are always a good place for me to look.  His provision for my family and for my heart abounds.  I am beyond blessed and beyond thankful -- with the coffee parlor treats and washi tape and with my children piled high on my lap as I reach for the one hand type.