Everyday Life: Enough

It's not that I don't have enough hours in the day to cross off everything on the to-do list as a part-time working mom; it actually seems that most weeks, I have just enough time to accomplish the to-do list on a daily basis.

{In all honesty, this is especially true now that I have a lovely woman who comes to help me with the house every few weeks.}

For the most part, we seem to have found a groove that allows us to sanely maintain family life and inner lives in combination with my new job at church, John's work, our volunteer schedules, writing, Curves, real food meal preparations, laundry and G's everyday school.

But.

There are these dreams constantly swirling around in my head, deep pools of promising blue I love and long to swim around in during moments of free space or while we're driving, all peacefully staring out across the painted autumn landscape.

A homeschooling family that learns authentically all day, year round without the boys ever attending a physical school.  

A small, authentic farming family who raises animals and food the right way on a wide-open, sprawling prairie where other families are welcomed stretch their legs and learn about health, nutrition, real food and the intersection of the three.  

A novelist. 

A photographer who knows intimately how to use her camera. 

A retreat host with enough outdoor space and bedrooms and bathrooms for creative souls and seeking hearts to enjoy and soak in inspiration. 

It's these moments of daydream escape that I realize hours aren't the confines; rather, there simply aren't enough lifetimes to be everything I long to be.


It's then, too, that I must take a step back from the trees to see the forest.

And I give thanks for the abundance and blessing of a life with which I've already been blessed

and in which I'm already in the deeply vibrant and beautiful blues of swimming.

Everyday Life: Good Gifts

I needed this weekend in ways I likely don't fully understand.

But there is refreshment found in Monday morning instead of the normal pull-myself-out-of-bed-and-pray-to-be-glad-in-the-dayness I've been feeling while cleansing during the first four weeks of the Body Ecology Diet {see sidebar for more details}. 

Thursday brought about a refreshing rebuilding cycle of more energy, less cleansing symptoms and a general feeling of balance and goodness. 

The blessings of life seemed to be richer to eyes that were burning to see beauty clearer, in fuller, more rounded and vibrant shapes. 

I've been counting gifts this year, yes. I've been thankful for every single one even on days where I've simply written gratitude for hot showers. 

But sometimes when the body is tired and the mind also is aching to think about something more than a tired body during the majority of the day, the grayed version of what's been taken in by fatigued eyes doesn't satisfy the thirst of a hungry-for-life soul.

Sometimes the mind, the heart just long to feel the electricity of everyday life in all of its glory. 

There was fullness tasted in places I've wanted to jump into but have been too tired to even dip in feet. 

A later-than-normal date night with John. {141}

A full-day of romping through our suburban streets with my boys and sister. {142}



Warmer-than-normal-weather enjoyed and sun soaked into skin. {143}

A family day of rest and church and the word and worship at full volume topped with a movie and even space to write. {144}

Recharged and good. {145}

I've been given the gift of simply understanding: 

the simplest of days where we are able to fully engage and enjoy is actually the profoundly lovely. {146}

And 

that while I'm immersed in the whirlwind blur of gray and living through fatigue and cleansing and healing, I am a soul ever-growing and heart-skin ever-stretching to make room for more of Him. {147}

Editor's Note November 2012: If you are looking for information on restoring your digestive system, please know that The Body Ecology Diet helped me, but it didn't completely restore my health. My body actually stalled out on the the diet, and I needed to go off it to heal other parts of my body. You can read about my last steps in healing by clicking here. 

Bigger Picture Moment: Right Where I Belong {Gratitude}

The afternoon before we're to make the trek home to Illinois from Harrisburg, fat snow flakes are falling from a ceiling of haloed thickness, from puffy grey-white clouds.

And I am wondering if we'll make it home as planned. 

Forecasters sling signs of warning across the television screen and lights flicker through out the hotel hallways as I walk in the company of flesh embodying the hearts I've come to consider soul sisters.

I pray -- Oh, God, I know this is where I'm meant to be in this time and space.

And I am thankful.

I am eye-deep in gratitude to be pressed shoulder to shoulder with kindred spirits, the women I love who are journeying this motherhood road alongside me, His very presence swelling in our hearts.

But, still, tomorrow, please take me to the arms, take me to the flesh in which I share oneness; take me to the man with whom you've interwoven my heart strings.

And in the meantime, let there peace that I am right where I belong.

****

Headlights flicker, dance through the fog while sprinkles of rain tap against the windshield.

I could drive this stretch of road with my eye closed, I think, not because I know the curves as well as the ones on my own body nor because I follow them, the tires of my car pressed against this very pavement almost daily

but rather because I can feel the force of my husband's body, only less than a mile away, pulling my heart toward home.

Yes, my body is the magnetic ball being woven through the maze of streets by the force of soul attraction anchored in a well of love within the four walls I call home. 

The car nearly parks itself, and I jump-fly out of the driver's seat, headlights fading across the garage door, the backs of my legs and I fall into strong arms that are open and waiting for me, pulling me in before my feet can carry me out of the hallway. 

And, again, in a different time and space, I am right where He wants me; I am right where I belong. 

****

I wake to two small bodies pressed on each side of my own. I am the newly restored ingredient of the mommy sandwich. We lounge in bed, two boys snuggled against my skin.

There are dishes to wash, laundry piles to fold, sheets to change, breakfasts to make, lists to tackle, but for the moment, again, a different time and space, I know, I'm exactly where I should be.

So with palms turned up and wells overflowing, I give thanks for knowing that in these moments, I'm certain I'm right where I belong. 

During the month of November, we are gathering our harvest of blessings and naming them one by one, sharing the gratitude in our hearts. Won't you join us? Share a picture, words, creation or list; just come to the table with thanksgiving in your heart. 

Live.
Reflect on the blessings that were apparent to you this week.

Capture.
Harvest them!

Share.
Link up your moment at Lenae's this week. Please be sure to link to your post, not your blog. Your post must link back here or have our button in your post or the link will be deleted.

Encourage.
Try to visit at least the person linked before you and encourage her in this journey we call life.

Disclosure: Our trip to Relevant was generously sponsored by Chevy’s Driving the Midwest who has given us a tank of gas and a Traverse to get there. Our ride was also fueled by Kawa Japanese and Asian Cuisine, Dr. Reena Jacobs of The Healing Groves, Curves of Lake County, Bigger Picture Blogs and Little Lake County, each of whom have provided one tank of gas for the trip. All opinions expressed are our own.