Sugar has it's own food pyramid

Now we say hello to November.

Dish Duty

On one particular night last week, it was just Fairygirl, Littleman and myself at home.  Dinner was wrapping up, Fairygirl was in tears because she didn't want her vegetables, Littleman was ready to roam free, the dishes were waiting and I still had to study for finals.

Fairygirl, finally, ate some veggies, Littleman went running to destroy the toys and I was frazzled.  I felt like the world was on my shoulders, I had to keep an eye and ear open to what the two little kiddos were doing, the dishes and table still needed my attention, and I was freaking out about my many finals, my anxiety was running high to say the least.

I was ready to give up, but God came to rescue, like He always does.  God calls us to leave a legacy on this earth, and I want nothing else, I long to leave a mark that will last longer than my life.  I get it into my head sometimes that only amazing, note-worthy things make a difference.  Working in the inner city or living in Africa is only note-worthy.  God showed me other wise, leaving a mark can look like crawling on all fours cleaning up dinner crumbs, it can look like cleaning Littleman's stinky diaper, or doing the dishes when it's not my turn.  Making a difference doesn't need to be confined.  

Sometimes the things that leave a mark aren't glamorous to the human eye, but to God they hold value.  No one thinks much of it, or even notices, but God does.  When we move the focus off ourselves and onto others, when we start looking to fulfill other's needs before our own, and when we start thinking how we can honor God and other's before ourselves, that's when we start leaving a legacy.

I've noticed that when I'm loving others, and serving them before myself, I find true happiness.  Not just surface level happiness, but happiness that sprouts deep in my soul.  A deep happiness can not be found when we focus on ourselves, but rather when we focus others!

I started off the night focusing on myself, on what I needed to do before tomorrow, how I wished others were home, totally focusing on myself.  God worked on my attitude, He moved my focus off myself and onto others, replacing my anxiety with His peace.

Tomorrow is Christmas

Today's Christmas Eve!!  Hard to believe it's here already, seems like just yesterday I was standing in line on Black Friday outside of Target.  

This season I'm trying not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, instead focus on my family and create new memories along the way.  Sometimes they may drive me a little stir crazy, but then I remember this too will be just a distant memory soon. 

Next year I could be away at a University instead of studying local, not able to fully live life with them day in and out.  The little moments when Fairygirl tells me she doesn't want me to ever get married, but be her big sister forever.

Whispered conversations with Soccergirl about boys at midnight, wouldn't be possible through Skype.

And morning belly laughs with Littleman can't happen away at College.

The time will come when I will go away to College, but not now.  Instead I'm going to soak up every moment I can, including Christmas Eve; tonight when we dawn our new Christmas pajamas, my heart may ache but at the same time, thankful for extra time spent together.