The Glass Window

The beginning of January 2013 has been filled with two weeks of activity and many, many thoughts as I'm processing all our blessings and how much we have to look forward to in this new year! After returning from Atlanta, I worked full force unpacking and placing all our belongings-----and Christmas gifts in their nooks and crannies throughout our home! I cleaned the house from top to bottom--------you playing closely by my side! Your cough worsened and a doctor's visit took precedence just when I thought I could fall back into the pace of our normal routine of 2012! As you took your medications and breathing treatments, preschool started back for you on Monday, I found you eager to go but reluctant to leave Mommy------we played hooky Monday for you to heal 100%-----and Mommy had started feeling stuffy Saturday too! The rest of the week we did half days at preschool and cleared our schedule------on the 9th of January, a drippy little ear greeted us in the morning! I took you on to preschool but had that Mommy instinct to call the doctor. Around 9:30, I came to your preschool to pick you up----------I saw you through the glass window racing with a friend. You were running with your back against the glass window. As your beautiful brown hair flew behind you and the strength of your legs carried you across the gym floor quickly, I took in a breath as I realized that through that glass I was seeing my little girl confident as ever playing and living in the moment without her Mommy (just as I would want you to enjoy yourself)! I also realized that our time together was moving just as fast as you were moving across the gym floor----you touched the gym wall and ran just as quickly in my direction looking at me through the glass window! A smile spread across your face as saw an image of Mommy through that glass window. IT was the same type of smile that had spread through my soul when I first saw you through that glass window-----only your smile was mixed with surprise. You were not expecting Mommy's presence at preschool so early in the day! We left preschool early that morning for another visit with Dr. P--------ear drops for seven days and a follow up visit in two weeks! The week had a few more bumps but many more joys! Thursday arrived, Mommy had fever that evening-------Daddy and you took good care of me as the fever and body aches entrapped my body in a motionless mess! Luckily Friday morning when it was time for preschool, the fever had subsided and I was ready to prep our household with tidiness to welcome the solitude of warmth that our house provided this weekend! I'm still a little under the weather with a stuffy head but it was joyful to sit here on the couch watching Daddy and you play in front of the fireplace------and you pouring tea from your teapot into your teacup---having tea! Daddy was in charge of cleaning up the kitchen. He relented to you getting your teapot down and even made coffee for Mommy to enjoy while sitting here--------it wasn't decaf! He says, I'm the hardest person to please! I guess he's right! I loved him serving me tonight and noticing that I do indeed drink coffee every night when I sit down to write and read! The detail he missed is that my coffee mug is always filled with decaffeinated after three o'clock! He said, "Just sip on it!" We met in the middle------I sipped on it this time and suggested that next time he make me decaf (he said he'd think about it!)!! This little tidbit falls under favorites for the new year-----Daddy serving us! He does such an awesome job working hard for us to have what we want/need.

I'd love for us to spend more and more time with him this year----------yet his work schedule is relentless as are our bills (medical bills have piled up high after your procedures in 2012 and those that Daddy endured in December of 2012 too. I've created a debt snowball reduction chart to eliminate as many bills as possible in the quickest amount of time (you'll know how to budget and do with at an early age)! Thus, rather than creating new year's resolutions these past few days, I've embraced what I already do well------taking care of our family through maintaining an orderly and clean home, with planned meals for the week, saving money through blogs, couponing, etc., and more! I look forward to all of our unexpected moments of joy in 2013 as we both embrace the rest of January with restored health! Saturday evening was superb------we worked puzzles on the kitchen table as we waited for Daddy to arrive home. He was super tired from watching river waters and wading in water with work last night but he sat down for the three of us to enjoy a big pot of soup with cheese and crackers! When the two of us finished our soup, we began an art project. Daddy sipped his coffee and then ate his soup. We pretended that we were the three bears waiting on our soup to cool down before eating it. Then snowballs emerged....one...two...three! A snowman.....a scarf......a carrot nose...two eyes....a glittery mouth.....glittery buttons.....hands......coloring book....... markers......boots..hat...a perfect snowman! Daddy finished his coffee, ate his soup, and immediately started helping create our snowman! Here he is.......

Crafting your snowman's arms/mittens that Daddy drew and cut for you!

Your snowman creation that you designated to give to your preschool teacher, Mrs. Tracy!

Another favorite memory of this week....you let Mommy sleep in today an hour after you initially woke up. You curled up next to Mommy and let me sleep until 8:30 a.m. You turned off the fan, walked down the hallway to see if Daddy was here and immediately you started running back with a bounce in your step, "Mommy, Mommy, I heard Princess Girl meow! She's hungry! Can I open the door and feed her?" You were so filled with wonder and delight when you heard that meow through the closed door in the silence of the morning! Now, she's enjoying the heat of our home and the comfort of our voices.

May 2013 unfurl its unexpected moments of joy in abundance beginning tonight and may the wonder never cease you embrace you! As you look through glass windows, may you always find delightful and unexpected surprises!

I love you little one!