Life Is Good!

Aaahhhhh ...

The JOY of routine.

The JOY of motherhood.

The JOY of homeschooling.

And, of course ... 

the JOY of a Hazelnut Mocha with Whipped Cream.

While I really have LOVED having Jim home the past 5 months, 

I have been struggling with the lack of routine lately.

(REALLY struggling ... more on this later ...)

Today ... Jim got a substitute teaching job,

and Mama got her "Mommy Job" back.

I was up at 7:30, to get Little Miss off on the school bus.

While I had stayed up until 2:00am completing my taxes,

I had no desire to head back to bed.

No.  

I was ready for a "Mommy Day".

By 9:00 this morning ...

... Little Miss was at school.

... the young ones had eaten breakfast.

... the dishes were done, and the kitchen clean.

(Mama LOVES her sparkling white counter tops.)

... Mama had started the first load of laundry for the day.

... Sarah, Josiah, & Elijah were seated at the kitchen

counter, awaiting their first lesson in

"The Fine Art Studio of Painting".

(pics to come once they've completed their first project)

... Hosanna was already reading her literature book,

while standing in the kitchen making herself

pancakes for breakfast.  (The JOY of Homeschooling.)

... Mama was enjoying her Hot Mocha.  Mmm. Mmm. Good.

... Mama was ready to work on paperwork at the dining table,

while the kids worked nearby on their painting.

Oh. My. Yes.

I have been desperately needing some

"back to normal" 

routine in my life.

* * * * * * * * * *

Oh.

Did you notice my new Coffee Mug?

I bought Papa & Mama a couple of new mugs

as a present for New Years.

No.  

We don't ordinarily buy gifts for New Years.

However, I wanted us to CELEBRATE the end of

"the worst year of our lives",

and look forward to ... 

a New Year in our marriage.

We are hoping and praying that this will be the 

BEST year yet, in our marriage, as we will

celebrate our 30th anniversary in August.

Papa's Mug is Black and says "Mr." on the front.

Hoping that you all have a GREAT day today!