i woke up before the family today…the house was quiet…
my day began. i walked past the book room and saw calico critters spread across the rug. i glanced in the front room and saw art supplies all over the table. i quickly sneak a look out over the water, and realize its going to be rainy, my favorite kind of day. then i got to the bathroom where toilet paper was draped all over the floor and toilet. i looked over at the stack of parenting and unschooling books on the fireplace mantel and wondered if i could get just a few pages of reading in. i started a load of laundry, straightened up the kitchen (which means collecting up all the toys, bike helmets, and ballet tights, among other things, that were left from the day before). i cleaned up a spilled bag of loom bands, wiped off the counter, and cleaned up the high chair. i made 2 dozen gluten free banana muffins, and started on the full sink of dishes…i always intend to do them before bed, but frequently falls low on the priority list after a long day. i started to edit the music the girls chose for the much anticipated ice skating recital (reagan chose young blood, ireland chose free like a bird, and paisley chose king and lion heart) i heard the ducks tooting from the brooder, telling me they want to be let out for morning foraging. then i looked in my purse to find my phone and charge it for the day…but instead found two pairs of dirty socks (that didn’t match), a tap shoe, a spilled bag of almonds, and an uncapped orange marker…oh, and no cell phone. that’s not all, but you get the picture.
i heard the pitter patter of tiny feet, and not before long, two of my four sweet girls were flanked at each side of me snuggling in tight and peering over my shoulder as i reviewed today’s events. the conversation of mermaids and dragons started, and i heard the other two babes over the monitor, who ended up in our bed last night…again. they were laughing and cooing entertained by each other. the hunger cries followed from all parties…then the day really began…
one day i’m going to wake up, pull clean clothes from my drawers, (instead of the counter in the laundry room) and get ready for the day. then i will stroll by each tidy room after another on my way to a sparkling clean kitchen. one day i will reach into my spacious purse and find a fully charged phone next to my organized bill fold. one day i will sit down, look out over the water as i sip on a cup of tea and quietly read some meaningless novel. i can imagine that on this day, i will nostalgically listen for the pitter patter of those little feet, but all will be quiet. something tells me that on that day…i will miss my circus of a life!
so today my heart is full as i am beyond grateful for this exciting season of life i am in. grateful for spills, young talk, and busy schedules. grateful for constant motion, little sounds, and unbridled energy. grateful for my little flock and all the beautiful chaos and unmistakable joy that comes with it!