I wish you could have been here this morning. I had set my alarm for 6:00am because I wanted to get back into the routine of school. During the night one of my children woke me up twice to help him to the bathroom and back to bed. When the alarm went off I was NOT ready to get up. So, I hit the snooze several times. When I did get up and get in the shower I had to chuckle because I could see the image of a little person on the other side with a sleepy, "goodmorning Mommy". This was the same child that had me up twice. He proceeded to sit on the rug outside the shower until I emerged clean and ready for the day. I took him back to his room where I found his younger brother in his crib wanting to start the day. I told both boys they were to play in their room that I was going to go read my Bible and I would be back. I was reading and I heard noises from their room. I opened their door and there was a white cloud of powder. Yes, they had decided they needed powder on their bottoms. Only most of it was on Gabriel's face, the bottom bunk and the floor. I had to close the door quickly and catch my breath. See, yesterday was one of those days where this same child put too much toilet paper in the potty, was covered in mud, spilled his entire class of sweet tea, etc. etc. The look on his face when I opened the door was one of, oh, no I messed up again. I just looked at him and all he said was, "sorry, sorry, sorry" I asked what he was doing and he told me he was trying to put powder on. I said, "I see that you need to ask me for help you're not old enough to do this by yourself." He said, "I need to vacuum it up?" So, that started our day. I am so thankful for my little ones. I just need perspective at times. In the midst of a day of trying to get school done, preschoolers making constant messes, being judge and jury in sibling squabbles by the end of many mornings much less the end of the day I am EXHAUSTED! I read an article last night after all of my little blessings were in bed that was a terrific reminder. It talked about a lady who was in her 80's that had had 3 boys and 5 girls. A young mother saw this elderly lady at the grocery store and the lady was enjoying the young mothers children. Remembering the days when she had a house full. She was such an encouragement to this young mom that it changed her perspective on her busy life. I had to agree. Even though my oldest is only 11 I can only imagine how quiet this house will be in just a few short years. I heard a quote once, "They are the longest days, but the shortest years of your life" I thank the Lord for that perspective yesterday. It caoused me not to blow it w/ my little boys this morning. I knew by the look on Gabriels face that he truly was sorry and hadn't meant any harm. Does that mean there is not punishment? No! However, w/o the Lord reminding me how often I blow it in my walk w/ Him and I am truly sorry I know how comforting it is to feel His arms around me w/o any anger or frustration towards me. I pray my boys felt that same love of our Heavenly Father when I just dealt w/ the mess and tried to train in the moment. I need to get back to my blessings and make sure I have direction and a purpose for our day. God Bless!