Reality Check

I apologize for not blogging the past 2 weeks. I had my blog all written and because I have yet to figure out how to set it to post later, I didn't remember until we were on the road to Kentucky. And last week I was just too dang tired. So anyway, as you all know, Rachel and I took our kids to her parents' house in Kentucky for a few days and we had a blast. The leaves were all different colors and the weather was gorgeous and the kids ran around outside all day and got to see their old buddy Alex. While we were there, Rachel and I were talking and she asked me if I was going to go back to teaching. I said that yes, I would love to because I kind of miss it, and that I plan to go back to work at the earliest when Micah is 4 and can go to preschool every day, but that I might wait until he starts kindergarten. Which is in 3 or 4 years, depending on the plan I choose. That is not a lot of time. That just hit me, especially when I thought about how time has flown since I became a mom, less than 4 years ago. So I decided I needed to enjoy my children as much as possible, because all too soon they're going to be teenagers, sleeping all day and spending more time with friends than family. I did a good job of it, too, on our trip. But it's been harder since we got home. Right now Ethan is sitting at the dining room table, crying because I made him sit in there instead of in front of the TV. And Micah keeps pressing the power toggle on the laptop, interrupting me here. Still, he's also putting Elmo stickers on my shirt and the other day Ethan asked, "Is God in your tummy or your body (what he calls his bottom)?" "He's in your heart," I said, and he looked down at his chest. "Where your feelings are. You know where you feel happy or sad? That's where God is." I am constantly being reminded to focus on the good in my life and in no area is that more true than with my children.