Provision

It's super late and I've got to be up at 6.30 tomorrow for Chloe's swimming so I'm just jotting down a thought for the day. This week I have had a lot going on. Every morning it's felt like I've been asking God for something that's felt really big or at least important to me (an observation at work, leading prayers in chapel, preschool places, gaining planning permission, BBQ going smoothly). And it has felt a bit this week that I'm asking too much. Like I'm being greedy by asking God for so many things and he'll get to the point where he stops answering my prayers. But in the things that have happened already He has shown his goodness and provision; it really shouldn't surprise me! I'm thankful that no-one can give like God does and there is no cut off point. Grace upon grace! Thank you Lord.

Feeling unwell

Today I don't feel too good. It's nothing terrible but that general coldy, scratchy throat, pressure in head, itchy eyes, feeling a bit shivery kind of ill. I have been feeling it coming on the last few days but had work and didn't feel ill enough to not go in. But today is Saturday so I've decided it would be wise to have a morning of resting and missing the things I had planned to have a sleep and hopefully be back to myself this afternoon. It's not too much to ask is it?

However with children this is seriously difficult. Chloe didn't like the fact I wasn't communicating enough with her or playing the games we normally play so was doing all she could to annoy me. This ended up with me in tears which then made her cry. Then J removed the children downstairs but they kept escaping! Chloe wanted to eat breakfast in bed with me and Livia came in saying 'I love you mummy' and climbing on top of my head. 

Then there are all the little dramas downstairs that are hard not to get involved in. Like Chloe wanting her pens for drawing, not her pencils which J found for her; or Livia playing with the light switches over and over. Then there's the awareness of all the jobs that J is being left to do, like breakfast, getting the girls dressed, doing their hair and teeth, getting the bag ready etc. It's hard not to feel very guilty when you're just lying in bed.

I will get my rest. Just when they've all gone out! 

May/June favourites

I've seen lots of bloggers/vloggers do their monthly 'favourites' before and I thought it might be a nice way for me to document some recent things I've been enjoying when I don't have many exciting adventures or events to share. So here are some from May and the start of June.

- Chloe's tea party with Nanna. When we recently visited my grandparents, my Granny (known to Chloe as Nanna), pulled out a child's tea set which she had been given 2nd hand. We have tea sets at home but not like this one; it was real China and was hand-painted, very special in Chloe's eyes. Nanna put some diluted squash in the tea pot, water in the milk jug and sugar in the sugar bowl (yep, lots of sugar but it was a one off!). Chloe loved pouring the tea and adding the water and sugar. The sweetest part was that she then insisted on 'having a chat', asking how my husband was and telling me all about her job as a doctor. Clearly this is what she's learning from coming with me for coffee, haha! Nanna loved it!

- The garden. I love being outside at the moment and the nice weather is really helping. I like it for allowing the girls a run around or just being outside instead of cooped up playing the same games. Try love the sand pit and the climbing frame or finding bugs and making a home for them. But I also really like being outside by myself when Livia is napping or watering the plants while they're having their TV time. It's a little place of peace in our hectic lives.

- Church family time. As life is so hectic, sometimes it is difficult to get quality time with people from church. Even when I'm meeting up with people or having a chat at church, if the children are around, it can feel very superficial and it's so hard not to be distracted. But in the last few weeks I've had some lovely quality time with people, at events like parties and also individually. There's something about popcorn, a blanket, painting nails and watching something trashy (thank you friend if you're reading!).

- Dogs. This post is getting a little long but I do feel I have to mention that I am getting seriously broody for a puppy. We have been thinking about getting one for a while and it's becoming more likely. I spend too much time looking at puppies online and staring at other people's dogs!

Thank you Lord for all the wonderful things you put in my life. I'm sorry that I soemtimes get weighed down by the bad. Help me to count the blessings more often.

Chloe and marriage

We had a funny conversation with Chloe today about a boy she has decided she wants to marry. I'm not sure what it is which has made her like this boy, as a few weeks ago she said she didn't like boys and wasn't going to invite any to her party! But the other day she came out of school and declared that she loved him and then gave him a big hug before being dragged away!

I don't really know what to make of it all to be honest. Chloe is only 4! I think it comes from watching lots of Disney films and wanting to be like the princesses who fall in love. Anyway, onto the conversation today. She called us up to her room after going to bed and asked us 'how do I know if Liam (name changed!!) is going to be a baddie?' We asked her what she meant and she reminded us of a conversation we had recently about how not all grown-ups are good (Chloe had said this once and we were worried about the implications of thinking all adults were well-meaning so had to correct her). 

So Chloe was concerned about committing herself to a marriage with a boy who may not turn out 'good'. We reassured her that she doesn't need to decide for a long time and she should only worry about being good herself and having lots of friendships. I liked J's final thought when he told Chloe that 'when it's time, we'll help you decide.' I doubt that will happen but it was still sweet!