I just have to mention how grateful I am that the The Great Curriculum Swap was such a huge success! I’m so thankful to everyone who so generously gave away the books they no longer needed, and for the time it surely took them to sift through all the emails they received! Way to go everyone – because of you many people are being blessed in their home school endeavors!
And here’s something else I’m so grateful for…
Over the weekend Matt took the boys to a church retreat called Dads-n-Lads. I had the whole house to myself for about 36 hours. (I’m thankful to report that THIS year, I did not have a desperate need for a cottage cheese container or a child’s dress shoe to defend myself – yes, you do have to go read this story about what happened to me last year during Dads-n-Lads).
More importantly, I’m thankful for the time I had in my quiet house to reflect and meditate on the blessings I have as a wife and mom. There’s nothing like sending your family away for the weekend to make you really appreciate them. I did get a lot of work done, and my house stayed clean for the entire 36 hours…but I missed them all so much that I became weepy. By Sunday morning I could not bear to look into the “Lego room” because while it was full of legos…the room was way too empty. (Seriously, they were gone for a day and a half. You’d think I could have handled it better than that.)
Sunday afternoon they returned home filthy, worn out, hungry and happy. They dumped five loads worth of laundry in the bathroom and left a trail of backpacks and sleeping bags on the stairs and hallway. They were waving a wooden arrow they had created together and were all competing for my attention as they told tales of their weekend that had been filled with canoeing, bows and arrows, campfires, friends, paint ball wars, devotionals, and a bunch of other stuff I didn’t hear because they were all talking at the same time.
I smiled and breathed in all the hubbub and chaos. All was right in my world again…
What are you thankful for this Gratituesday? Write about it on your blog, then come link up with us here. If you don’t have a blog, be sure to leave a comment letting us know what you’re grateful for!
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Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!
Jenn @ Beautiful Calling says
I know at times I wish my house would stay clean (I have a 2 yo, 3yo and one on the way) but I know that I am blessed beyond measure to have a home that is lived in my my precious family!
Glad everyone made it home safe and sound with plenty of stories!
Katie Riddle says
Ahhh, a whole 36 hours all to yourself. Amazing! I love how, even when I get a half day alone, how much I enjoy getting to know myself again and by the end of it, how much I miss my family. Realignment is so lovely! :)
debbie says
I’m grateful that I stumbled upon “Heavenly Homemakers”. Thanks to you, I have a renewed spirit!
rachaek says
What a great reminder to be grateful every day!
LaVonne says
I am so grateful that I can homeschool my Preschooler. I am excited to start this week. :)
I am sad to have missed this swap! :( Maybe next time.
Thanks for hosting this meme. I love it.
Blessings!
Yvonna says
What is Dad’s and Lad’s? Blessing’s!
Wendy (The Local Cook) says
I’m thankful to have been able to attend the Food Blog Forum seminar in Atlanta this past weekend. I learned a ton and made lots of new friends.
Jiller says
Very cool Laura. Those little tastes of solitude are blessings indeed!
Patti Sikes says
We have many Dad’s n Lad’s memories. One in particular was when my plan was to do what you did, but instead the girls and I were sick all weekend. Steve came home early to take care of us! GIGATTAATTGIG
DorthyM says
Laura, I am grateful today that I am not the only one terrified of snakes. I am grateful that Jesse has never been the type of little boy who loves picking up bugs and snakes and critters and proudly showing them to mommy. But I have to say, even with the books and shoes and cottage cheese containers and screaming, you’re braver than I am. I would have made the phone call to 911. Outside. Ready to move to a hotel.
Nicole says
Hi! This is my first time joining in…
Sounds like a great weekend! having the house clean for that long is so nice but sometimes it is better having it ‘messy’ and noisy!
Amy Steiner says
It is nice to have the house all to yourself, but I agree that it gets lonely really fast! I find myself getting bored! :)
Kristin says
What ever would we do without our children? The last time my house was empty I volunteered to watch the neighbor’s kids. My hubs stared at me like I had a third eye!
Jennifer @ The Toy Box Years says
I’ve just found your blog for the first time today through a friend. I am amazed at God’s work this morning. I was just watching Joyce Meyer this morning and her message today was about being thankful and an attitude of gratitude. Then I open my email and find a post from my friend about gratitude with a link to your blog.
God is truly sending me a message this morning — one that I truly need to hear!
Rebecca says
I always relish the first hours of peace and quiet when all my boys are gone for an extended period, but you’re right, eventually it becomes a little sad. Sometimes I find myself wandering from room to room, not knowing what to do without my little brood following me around demanding my attention or making messes.
I also have to share my snake story. When my third was 3 weeks old, I had put him back to bed in our room after nursing and started getting ready for the day. Since I was still having some hot flashes while sleeping, I had thrown the quilts off the end of the bed in the night and picked them up to make it. Out flew a very small (less than 6 inches) garter snake, but I was so freaked out that a snake was in our bedding that I had to call my dad to fish him out from under the bed. I’ll never forget it.
ImaFrugalGirl.com says
I have a lot to be thankful for this week and put up a great post about it so please check it out. Also be sure to snag your Free Gifts In a Jar e-book that I made for you guys!
Kimberlee says
Sand, Laura. You forgot to mention sand. I, too, sent my “boys” off for the weekend. They came home dirty, hungry and happy and left a trail of various things…and sand throughout the house. I am finding it in the dryer, the bathroom and every room they walked through. I am grateful they had such a blessed weekend and I am grateful to have them back. Sand and all.
Stephanie H. says
This is my first time leaving a comment so I hope I am doing it right…I’m thankful for assurance in Salvation. I am thankful for second chances and a new day to start over and mend what needs to be healed fromthe day before and so on.
sharon says
36 hours to yourself, now that is a blessing indeed!! I am thankful for:
3 healthy children that bring smiles to us, A man that i love deeply; and for teh wonderful house we just moved into!!!! Blessings to you and yours!!!
Pamela says
Laura, Just wanted to stop by and say a big “Thank You” for sponsoring the curriculum swap. We had over 160 emails requesting our books!! Whew…but it was fun!! We decided to give the books away as a lot instead of trying to sort through all 160 names and which book or books they wanted. It was a fun adventure and now my shelf is less messy!! And someone else is blessed….good times all around. So nice to hear that you got some quiet time! God bless, Pamela
Laurie says
Wow! Mom time! It seems like I can get soooo much more stuff done when I’m home alone (which rarely happens). Sounds like they had a great time!
Megan says
I am glad that you had some time to get refreshed and renewed. I bet you didn’t know what to do with all that quiet.
Terry says
I’m glad you had some time to yourself to get refreshed. I have enjoyed this site so much! Hold onto the times with your family as long as you can. I just sent my youngest off to college. The house seems empty and I find myself being weepy too. I know that it will get easier as time goes on. I hope parents realize how fast times goes and how precious children are.
Rhonda says
I am also so thankful for Dads N Lads!! My “boys” had a great time (complete with sand). I am also giving thanks today for my education. I am so grateful that I am able to work at a good job while my husband is unemployed. I always thought I would be at home with the kids at this point in my life but I can’t be discouraged, I am grateful for what God provides.
Christine says
Laura, I love your snake story. It reminded me of a simliar experience, only it was a mouse and my husband with a toilet plunger and a can of raid. When he couldn’t capture the thing he resorted to taping the bedroom door with packing tape (yeah, great idea!…maybe it was a toothless mouse)and stacking books at the bottom of the door. I still can’t help laughing when I remember the sight of him frozen in our living room with his weapons of choice held high :)