"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

I love organization! I love to label drawers and totes. I love to file papers. I love to face all my can goods the same way. I love making sure my towels are folded a certain way so they "look pretty" in the cabinet. I love to make binders with dividers and special pockets. I love to color code my calendars. I love having things in the calendar so I can plan ahead for the kids. I love working on my homemaker binder that helps me stay focused on my daily tasks. I love working on our family budget. I could organize in nit-picky detail all day long. I just love all of it!!

Now, you and I both know that being a mom of two little ones can often throw a wrench in my nice, clean, detailed plan. There are far too many things to do to take care of their basic needs, that I'm left with not a whole lot of time to get the towels out of the dryer let alone folded "just so." The quiet time I plan to read my Bible, is often interrupted by a little one ready to get up and start their day.

God has really been working on this aspect of my personality over the past year since becoming a stay-at-home mom. I thank Him for helping me see that although days can get crazy with diaper changes, meal times, fussiness, more diaper changes, neediness, and battle-of-the-wills, He is still there, just a prayer away, for guidance. I praise Him for yet another reminder today, that although our "quiet time" may get interrupted, He wants me to commune with Him all day, not just when I plan it.
 
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:1

Today my baby boy is 9 months old. Where have the last 9 months gone?! There were days that seem to have taken forever, but overall it feels like the blink of an eye. As I watch him now being super cute smiling, laughing and jabbering (very loudly) while standing up in his pack & play, I'm getting a bit teary eyed. What a tremendous blessing the Lord has given me!

I love watching Jadon and Natalie explore and learn new things. To see the sparkle in their eyes and smile on their face as they've accomplished something new, just makes my heart soar. When they actually "stop" when I tell them to or when they behave well around others, it makes me breath a sigh of relief that all the stress of parenting is not in vain.

I have to remind myself that we are God's children (Romans 8:16) and He too delights in our obedience and learning. Hmm...ponder that for a moment. Think of the comparison between parenting your children and how God "fathers" us. Oh dear! I too often act like a toddler and a baby!!! Why don't I just listen and obey?!

I think this must be a lesson that God want's me to think more about today because the demands of my children are calling right now and I can't focus and write any more. Thank you God for children and the lessons they teach us! :-)