Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

I am slightly obsessed with bathing.

Not because I have an insatiable desire to clean myself, but because I love the escape. And inevitably, when I take that divine plunge into the tub, my mind and heart turn to the Father. I guess it all began almost 4 years ago when I was pregnant with Jude. After a long day at work (nannying), I would slip into the warm water let all my concerns flow from my heart to Him. When I embarked onto the uncharted waters of parenting, my mind couldn't help but race with all the what-ifs and hows, and I found myself humbly dependent on Him. Praying for the baby growing in me, offering up my cares, asking for guidance...
Ever since, I have sought refuge in that quiet place. Whenever I find myself tired, stressed, sick, harried, my mind goes to the bath I plan on enjoying after the kids are asleep. And when I finally settle into the warmth, I pray. Even subconsciously, even when I planned on reading, it just flows from my heart. It's as if that space is holy ground; I can't help but turn toward Him.

The School of Hard Knocks

I'm learning a lot right now. Well, trying to.
I feel like God has opened my eyes to some areas that need WORK. Not just, oh that's not right, so I'll say I'm going to change, but actual work. Really changing requires me working my bum off, so that I don't keep slipping back into old habits and ways of thinking.
Like having faith, instead of being fearful. Trusting that God is. Learning what the Word says. And then believing what the Word says. Trusting more. Praying more. Loving more.
I have a looong way to go. But I love that the Lord thinks I'm worth teaching...

It's in my bookmarks bar

Do you know how many uses vinegar actually has? A lot. I found a website (vinegartips.com). According to said site, 1001. And I will be using vinegar much more often from now on... I look forward to it.

My Return to Calm

Anyone else feel like life with kids is just not quite right when you're away from home? We were in Canada over the holidays, for 3 weeks and man, was it nice to get back. I mean, the trip was great. We love spending time with family, and are so grateful to be able to venture up there, but I guess I didn't realize that things were off until we got back home to normalcy. Jude loves being with family, and cousins, but our life at home is so peaceful, calm. I think all the people/chaos was starting to get to him. He was just a bit more challenging, a bit more fussy. And Layla; she's a champ, but her sleeping schedule got off while we were there.

I was so thankful for adaptable kids while we were traveling (19 hours in the car, each way!), and then I got home and realized that - *sigh* - I love my calm life. I love to wake up slow, and gradually work our way out of the house, or decide to stay home all day, and enjoy just being with my kids. I'm a lucky woman to be able to spend so much time with them. They're pretty great.