Everyday, Ordinary Life

I love mornings like this...the sun is streaming in through the windows, the sky is bright blue and we are just together.

Last night, we enjoyed a birthday party for one of Owen's little friends, Riley.

I don't think he came up for air!

Nora was up way past her bedtime, but was happy to watch all the kids running around.

Both of them crashed as soon as we got home and this morning got off to a lazy start.

Owen was up and at 'em at his usual time, but he snuggled in our bed to watch cartoons while we snoozed.  I am sure there are warnings about starting such habits, but there is something so wonderful about those cuddly moments together before you face the day.

Then we enjoyed blueberry pancakes with mismatched pajamas--and lots of silliness:

We almost missed church this morning---schedules were thrown off and we were tired from a late night. But, we decided to go anyway and, like I so often do, I felt like the message was just for me. Such a great reminder to not lose sight of the small ways we can be a light--in our daily lives, jobs and relationships. Choosing to be joyful and grateful--even when things aren't going our way.

"Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. "  ~ Romans 12, The Message