Sarah wanted me to take pictures and write a blog about The First Day of School in 2014. Hmmmm. I’m looking around the house from my computer chair at the sight before me.
“Sarah, I need to borrow your glasses to get a good look at this house!”
- three Advent boxes to be put away sitting on top of a Christmas bin that needs to go back into the garage
- a pile of unfolded laundry on the chair
- a basket of laundry on the floor
- some random clothes Joshua forgot to take back to school with him (found in the washer yesterday)
- a big school binder nestled amidst the laundry
- dvds, a Christmas present we forgot to mail, and math scratch paper on my desk
- two bags of recycling that are neither in the pantry (tidy) or taken out to the recycling bin but seem to want to sit in the hallway
- three cups from dinner that didn’t make it to the dishwasher
- a half finished container of apple juice sitting on the kitchen table
- and the school schedule STILL not quite finished for January
Um, Sarah, this is not really a great photo-worthy day.
And that’s just this room. Who knows what the dining and living rooms look like.
“David, you need a sip of my espresso to survive this day!”
What did we accomplish today (since it obviously wasn’t all about housekeeping and tidying)? Let’s see:
- Daniel and David both had online classes for which they were ready and prepared
- Sarah, David and I read our Bible devotions this morning and each filled up a page in our thankful journals
- Rachel started classes back up at Pierce College with professors she enjoys and where she is excelling
- Two children had piano lessons – completed songs, picked up new ones and filled the house with music
- Tim worked from home and spent time talking and encouraging and counseling each of the kids during the course of the day
- We did school – read books, worked math problems, studied science, and reviewed grammar
- We Skyped a dear friend in Thailand
- I talked to my mom in Michigan (where they have 11 inches of fresh snow)
- I texted Joshua off at college (where classes were cancelled because of the cold)
- I got a great new hair cut and color.
- Tim, Rachel, Daniel and I all managed to fit in a work-out at the fitness center.
This is how the boys look at me, sometimes, when I suggest a quick “10 Minute Tidy!!”
There was laughter, lots of hugs, yummy meals together and good conversations. There was correction, hurts, forgiveness, more hugs and a day full of living out what it means to be a FAMILY.
Sarah, you were right. This was a GREAT first day back to school!
YES!!!!! My house…my life. Brought tears to my eyes.
Holly – you get it. The good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful! Love you, friend.
Hahaha. In the first picture I’m like “Mom take off my glasses! What are you doing?”
The balance at the end of the day is most clearly a Positive one ! Well done, all of you!
Love it. I know these types of days well. Thanks for the glimpse of family life. I love your new look in the first photo. LOL
Sounds like a perfectly perfect day! Love abounds!