We picked up shells, dug in the sand, and threw rocks into the ocean. After about 20 minutes, I felt like we'd had enough of the beach and told the kids it was time to go. To no surprise, I was met with a cohesive "Whyyyyyyyy?" from three little voices. 
     
     Well, the truth was, there was no reason why we had to leave right then. It would probably be a few more months until we could enjoy this site again, so why was I in such a hurry? 

     I sat down in the sand and let the uninterrupted playing continue all around me. Two were building sandcastles, and one was demolishing them. The laughter was contagiously freeing. The beach had little cell phone service, so I sat alone with my thoughts. A luxury few moms are able to experience. 

     Maybe, as moms, we become so pre-conditioned with parenting adrenaline running through our veins that rushing becomes a way of life. I rush through the grocery store with a screaming toddler, or hurry home from the library to avoid a dreaded car nap. I rush from activity to activity, rush through the house cleaning, rush through meals, and rush to get my tired head to a pillow.

​     And I had stopped searching for moments to rest in. 

     As life would have it, this beach adventure was my last dose vitamin D for a while. My Aunt passed away shortly after, Birth in Blantyre was released, and Esther's House Publishing took flight. My days swirl around me, but not without searching for moments to rest in.

     Sometimes, my rest comes before sleep when I study the Bible. Some days, it comes through family worship time (we put on music and dance and sing). But everyday, I'm striving to rest for one minute per year that I am (which is nice way of saying I'm not sharing my age). When my kids need a timeout, they sit one minute for every year that they are- and this mama needs her timeout just as much! 

     I hope you're having a restful week, take a deep breath busy mom! 

Christmas is around the corner. For my kids, this means counting down the days and soaking in the lights and celebrations. For me... we'll let's just say I'm writing this from my parked car, while hiding out in the garage to get a break from the hustle, bustle, and demands. 

As I take time to focus on what's important, I'm reminded of my very favorite part of the season. Each year, I take one child to a thrift store and have them pick out toys that their siblings would like. The budget is less than meager, but I love to watch each child spend time thinking of others. At first, this was a really hard task for my five year old. He found an awful lot of things that he would like. Finally, he found a pink pair of Minnie Mouse sunglasses that his sister would like. 

I was thrilled, and she was more than thrilled when she opened her gift Christmas morning. It was truly the thought that counted and made a special impression.

This year, on Thanksgiving, my daughter asked me to write down her Christmas list. I was frustrated and felt too busy, but I sat down to write out her requests.

That precious little girl, who got sunglasses from her big brother last year, only asked for two things for herself. All of the other items were things that she wanted to give to others.

I'm tucking this lesson tightly into my heart.

Cherish the real Reason for the Season and each that you're spending it with... it's there that the riches of our blessings unfold.

What is your favorite part of the advent season?