today.

it was too good of a day not to share.

started with some good time with jesus...continued with some rounds of the 7 minute workout as i listened to and laughed with the relevant podcast cast.  that podcast is a source of happiness for me (as well as information and randomness).  relevant has lots of good podcasts, check them out if you have a chance: relevant podcast network

then i got to hear about a dear, dear friend's fabulous day long date as i walked up and down our driveway...feels like long time hope deferred is being fulfilled.  my phone ran out of charge...but that's ok...the conversation continued a little while later.  it was worth the delay - what a joy to be able to share my heart and thoughts with such a trustworthy, jesus-loving lady.

came in and had a shower - never do i ever want to take for granted that i turn a knob and clean water comes out.  and it was warm.  oh that everyone had that luxury.

then i was privileged to have a really tough conversation with one of our children about the importance of honesty and how very important telling the truth is (of course, that came about as a lie was uncovered which wasn't fun...but the conversation felt holy).

the morning continued with a DELIGHTFUL time of homeschooling. OH that it was always like this!!  meaningful conversation. laughter.  connecting dots.  applying what we're reading/talking about to their lives.  (including a graphic conversation about eunuchs...and the significance of Acts 8) i love that our school included an Allen Levi song (stand like Stephen) and writing letters to friends on the ship.

i've recently been reminded of Seeds Family Worship...so that was playing in our home most of the day.  scripture set to music - really good music.  nothing better to fill the atmosphere.  (and it was fun to hear kids singing along - to realize that songs they haven't really heard in years are still stuck in their hearts and minds!)

the day continued with kids fixing their own lunches....doing kind things for one another (especially the one boy!)....lots of joke telling...

we ended up with a whole stack of outgoing mail for ms. connie to pick up (though i may have accidentally sent an empty envelope to friends in birmingham.  i have the note but can't find the envelope that i know i addressed and stamped....).

and today is the first day our friends in texas have been at home with their newly adopted son.  talk about long time hope being realized!!  "another pair of shoes" has finally been added. hallelujah.

there were some bumps in the road early in the afternoon...tears and an overwhelmed child....but it was handled with kindness and grace (wish it always was).

then we took eli and eli (cash and white) to classroom session training (have i mentioned that i love velocity and i love that eli is a part of it!?!)...dropped emma off at the whites....had some sweet time with my caroline.  i'm not typically a "splurge kind of girl"....but we splurged on some delicious smelling soaps and coffee and cake pops - and what a joy to remind her that she is worth a splurge! (the last of my christmas money well spent!!) had some fun conversation with her.  thankful for the chance to spend time with her in a way that we both enjoyed.

came back to the whites.  i love time with molly. love it.  kids had fun.  eli and eli (and alex!) made it back to the house (we allowed them to walk the short 1/4 of a mile or so from the school where they had classroom session training....thankful for the chance to allow them to be independent and build our confidence - and their's!!)

traveled the 3 tiny miles back home and worked on a little project while kids (cash, white and one hofer) played and shared community.  the project turned out even better than i was hoping - i daresay it would've been a great pinterest post (except i don't really post on pinterest....definitely didn't take any before/after pictures....)(and i do need to remember that glass can cut).  it's fun to see a wall coming alive...

enjoyed some minutes with the price ladies - including letting the kids play in the rain.  i love it when kids get to be kids and enjoy life.  sometimes i wonder if kids get to enjoy life as much as they should.  so many rules.  so many obstacles.  so many stupid people who do horrible things to children.  i love it when they can just play and laugh and BE CHILDREN.

all the non-cash folks headed to their respective homes (molly brought me a lindor chocolate bar when she came to pick up the boys....speaking of splurge....so excited to enjoy that!!!)....the cash man came home...we went for a run.  i love time with him.  i enjoy exercising...and i enjoy him...combining the 2 and i start singing "all i do is win win win."

dinner was cooked at some point...a meal was shared at the table....conversation was real and rich and meaningful.

now nick is reading to the kids....the kitchen is nearly cleaned up....a "best of" worship list is playing - and it includes some fresh to me hip-hop.  goodness.  my heart feels full.  i couldn't help but share.

and i kind of think i left out some things.  and i didn't even check the mailbox for mail -which is usually one of the main highlights of my day!

in the words of Chris Rice, "why can't everyday be like today? " (though part of that song is talking about tough days, too)

it wasn't a perfect day.  but it was beautiful.  and i felt more like me than i have in a long time. and i didn't want to wait until thursday to share my thankfulness.

can we please have another day like this tomorrow?