Thankful for Peace

Today is Friday, the end of another busy week.  I'm not sure if Adam knew, but I for one, have been continuously surprised by how much having a kindergartener has changed our life.  Our schedule is fuller and quicker.  I get up every morning at 5 or before so I can drink my coffee, read my Bible, and get a head start on the day.  On Saturday, I enjoy getting up at the same time so I can snuggle on the couch and snooze and read a book in peace. 

Where I was militant about daily naps for Claire, Paul has to go with the flow.  Sometimes he gets one, sometimes he doesn't.  Sometimes he's sleeping in the wagon while I walk to get Claire from school.  Sometimes he sleeps in the morning on the way to my granddad's house and then transfers his nap to a recliner. 

Our life rhythms now match that of the FWISD calendar. 
Here's my thankful list for today.  I haven't posted in a while, so I could easily make this list 100 + items, but for your reading pleasure, I'll try to keep it brief.

I'm thankful for:

1.  Trees, again
This time I'm thankful for the giant trees in our front yard.  They are the perfect size for the kids to climb.  Last week I had both kids in one tree.  None of those pansy trees for us.  We have big, strong trees.

2.  Kids with compassion
Yesterday, Paul went to comfort a crying friend without any prompting from me.  A mom friend told me last week that Paul overheard her talking about her sick kid and he questioned her with concern until he was satisfied his buddy would be okay.  I feel pride and hope for both of my children when I witness actions like this.

3.  A gold-medal Olympian
Claire won a gold medal in reading this week.  She's awesome.

4.  A husband that thinks completely differently from me
Some people enjoy surrounding themselves with people who think the same way as they do.  I love that Adam Boyette is one of life's greatest mysteries to me and I will never be able to figure him out.  He's like a lifelong puzzle.  We often compare notes on events or conversations we were both a part of.  It's always interesting to me to hear what stood out to him verses what I found important.  It is almost always different.  Adam keeps me thinking and always examining my opinions and assumptions about the world.  I often joke that while I am completely right-brained, he is completely left-brained so together we make one brain.

5.  My children's unique sense of style
Last Saturday I took both kids to Kohl's to buy a new outfit.  Paul wore his Batman costume and solicited many stares and giggles.  He also kept standing on his head in the basket, which added to the entertainment.  After lots of debate, Claire's outfit consisted of a hot pink jaguar print hooded top with black and white jaguar pants and a rainbow skirt.  I love that both kids have their own opinions about fashion and that they express themselves through their clothes.  Right this second, Paul is sitting on the couch in shorts, a T-shirt, and cowboy boots.

6.  Literature
This week Paul has really started to enjoy books on his own.  On Wednesday when we returned from the library, he sat for an hour looking at his newly checked-out books.  Claire read eight books before class this morning.  I read about two books a week, and even Adam has started reading every chance he gets.

7.  Being missed
Due to several scheduling conflicts, I have had to skip several of my normal events.  I had to take a time out of bookclub and Bible study.  No less than five people have told me they miss me at my normal event.  It's nice to be missed.

8.  The perfect job for me
I love my job.  Twice a week I get to sit in an office and have adult conversations and feel smart.  The other days I can work from the house while Paul plays.  I feel like a contributing member of society but still a stay-at-home mom.  I love it!

9.  Winter weather followed by beautiful weather
When it's 70 degrees outside, it's not uncommon to hear someone saying they wish it was this way all the time.  Not me.  I love the cold, if only for the fact that it makes me not take the beautiful weather for granted.

10.  Funny kids
While speaking like a pirate this week, Claire shouted, "Shiver me tenders!"  Hilarious.  In a Love and Logic moment, I left Paul at home by himself briefly while I waited in the driveway for him to panic and run out.  He didn't.  He stayed in his rocking chair reading books and even took time to pick up dog poop!  Paul is currently sitting on my shoulders.  Yep, I have a three year old on my shoulders while I am typing.  My kids make me laugh.

Happy Friday!