Today is the last day of Spring Break. My house looks like it has been spring break... the messes have piled up faster than we can clean them. My children have looked like spring break- each night they have required baths ( some multiple baths!!!) to wash off the dirt that has accumlated in various places of their bodies. My heart feels like it has been spring break- glad for the time but glad that its over! Now, don't get me wrong... I love my children and I love being with them but I love being ready for special time with them. And this time I wasn't.

If I could be what my mind and heart say I am for real...
My house would stay in a constant state of organized clean. This would enable me to do something other than clean...like maybe...play???? I tell my children this all the time. If you would clean up your messes I wouldn't have to and then I would have time to play. Right now it feels as though I am always playing catch up. But for today I am thankful that I have five children to make messes. What if I didn't have them to clean up after? My life would be empty. I am thankful that I have had five days with my children as they sleep in, stay up late, and have no agenda but to play, make messes, eat, and of course fight- but that is another story.

I would offer my husband and children wonderful gourmet meals, that they would actually eat, each night as we all sit down to an intimate family dinner. Hearts would be shared over various gluten free delicacies. Dreams would be spoken of, grand plans made, and spiritual growth pursued as we actually all eat at one time, all the same thing. But for today I will be thankful that there is food to be eaten. I am thankful that there are gluten free alternatives that are edible! I am grateful that for this week I have been able to prepare food for my family and not be tempted to run to the grocery store or restaurant. I am thankful that we can no longer eat at most restaurants- the necessary change in our food consumption has benefited our health and our checkbook. I still have to work on the "intimate" eat together thing...but we are getting there.

More thankfulness tomorrow...for now the various duties of the day demand my attention.