Everyday Blessings

I wanted to do a "Wordless Wednesday" post yesterday. However the day was just to full and we took to many photos and I couldn't decide which ones to post. So, our day yesterday:

7:15 Woke up (late!!) I try to  sneak out of bed without waking up John Paul. No luck. Grab John Paul, throw on a pair of jeans and head out to kitchen for a cup of coffee. I sit and drink my coffee and nurse John Paul. I yell out to the rest of the house "Wake UP!!" The only noise I hear are the cows outside mooing. The calves are getting louder and louder as the minutes pass. They want their mamas. I grab the milking bucket and John Paul and head out. I bring the bucket to the barn and go to fill up the cows water. John Paul is happy to see the cows at first and then he starts to cry because the non-stop mooing is freaking him out. I say to him "I know how you feel buddy`they annoy me also."  I tell the cows to be quiet but they don't listen. I shut off the water, grab the washing bucket and we head inside. I walk in the door and all is still quiet inside. "Wake up" I yell again. I finally hear footsteps above me. Mary Jane makes her way to the kitchen. I set John Paul up in his highchair and put some bananas and cheerios on the tray. I give Mary Jane a hug and ask her to watch John Paul. I grab another cup of coffee, the Surge Belly (milking machine tank) and head outside. I get to the barn, pour alfalfa cubes into the cows buckets and fill the buckets up with water to soak the cubes. I then realize I forgot the water bucket to wash the cows with. I walk back inside, wash out the bucket fill it with hot water and rags. As I am walking out I see my Ipod and think  "Hey I can say the rosary while I am milking. Cool." I make my way back to the barn and get Rosie situated. I get the machine on her and I start praying out loud with the rosary. Rosie keeps looking back at me and swats me with her tail a couple of times. I am usually quiet when I am out there. After three minutes there is no more milk coming but her udder is still full on top. She is holding her milk up on me. (not good for the cream line on the milk) I unhook her and notice the bucket feels light. Oh well. I then get Daisy situated and milk her. She did fine and did not mind me praying. Good girl. I let the calves back over. They finally stop mooing. The poor neighbors. 

9:30 I walk back in the house to strain the milk. Mary Jane said "Aunt Susie called" (my prayer partner) The rest of the kids are eating and getting dressed. John Paul is starting to get fussy. I call Sussette for our morning prayers and strain the milk. I get the milk put away and wash the milking equipment.(Rosie gave 3/4 gallon and Daisy gave 1 1/4 gallon. That's a switch) By this time John Paul has really had it. I get him out of the highchair and he has smashed bananas all over his face and hands and in his hair. A washcloth is not going to cut it. I tell the kids to start their schoolwork while I jump in the shower with John Paul. We get out of the shower, get dressed. I dry my hair. Put on some make up and feel much better. Back to the kitchen to get everyone back on track and finish schoolwork. 

1:00 We get schoolwork done. I show the girls a dessert I want to make for after lunch and get them set up to start making them while I make ham and cheese sandwiches. The little kids are upstairs playing a math game on the computer. We get the table set for lunch and call everyone. The "littles" eyes light up when they see dessert. I explain the significance of candles for St. Blaise whose feast day it was and the feast of Candlemas. We say a little prayer and eat. 

 

2:00 We finish lunch and dessert. I pack up uneaten sandwiches and cookies and  get everyone loaded up in the van. We head out to Blue Springs to see the manatees. I had to stop twice, once to get gas and another time to get money. (I forgot there was an admission fee) On the way there we listen to Jim Weiss read Celtic Treasures.

3:00 we finally get there.  It is beautiful and cold, a lot colder than where we came from. I start to dig through the van to look for jackets and sweatshirts. I am able to dig up a few and am also thankful I hadn't recently cleaned out the van. Here are pictures. A LOT of pictures, forgive me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I think that is all the pictures for now. This place was beyond beautiful and peaceful. I so enjoyed exploring with my children. These are the best days, hanging out with them. I enjoy them and I like the people they are becoming. Anyway we stayed there until....

6:00pm- I passed out the leftover sandwiches and cookies for the ride home because everyone was "starving". We listened to Jim Weiss read Greek Myths for the ride home. At 6:30 Terry got home and I called him and asked him to put two chickens in the oven. We got home at  7pm, we ate way late. After dinner kids put on jammies, brushed teeth, and we tucked them into bed. Last night bed was a huge fort that the kids constructed in the loft using every single blanket in the house. I smiled and tried not to let the disarray bother me as I kissed them goodnight. They just picked it all up and I feel much better now. 

11:00 I wanted to post all of this but I was plain worn out and John Paul wanted to lay down and go to sleep for real. My head hit the pillow and I was out.

A full day, a good day, one of the best days. We were together, the children were learning and happy. It was messy and crazy. It was a day I will treasure forever because I can look back and recognize the blessings and beauty in the ordinary. If only I could remember to do this every day!

 
 

Comments

[am]

What a fun day! My best days are when I am alone with my kids in nature. Just me and them and no distractions.

[Debi]

I loved reading about your day!

[julie]

Sounds (and looks) like a perfect day!!