being present

"If we are all alive ten years hence, let's meet, and see how many of us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now..."
-Louisa May Alcott, Little Women, Ch. 13

++


Thursday was a day for a Swap It Party. It's a great idea, but with 12+ kids under 5 it was kind of chaotic. We all brought forth our undesired items of clothing and a topping for the pizza. I went through everything I owned (in search of a purple sweater I never did find) and got a whole garbage bag full. Oh. My. Goodness. When we arrived, there were kids and pizza and yummy (oh so good) apple crisp.






After a couple hours of rummaging through each other's things (kind of funny when you think about it) and filling the bag that I had emptied when I arrived, we enjoyed lunch. And the kids began to get tired. Jack fell off a chair, a little girl scolded me for pushing her and Jack had emptied an entire plate of apple crisp (it was so good!) all over the couch and floor. We decided it was time to hit the road (jack) and the boys barely made it 10 minutes into the drive. 

So precious.


What fun. 

++




This weekend has been magical thus far. After fighting off a bad cold (and soaking my face in hot water and stuffing it full of vitamin c) I awoke before the sun and hit the road to pick up my bountiful basket. There's something about trekking out in the cold (before most of our neighbors) and feel the 20 degree weather and see the sky barely peaking through. I enjoy the brisk cold and once the car has warmed up I open the window a bit.










God's faithfulness is so present in the way He provides kindred spirits wherever He leads. I have been in some lonelier places and there...there He's been my only friend, but He always seems to reveal a kiddo or seasonal friend even in those times. Here in this season He's brought some dear souls who enjoy being genuine and whimsical. My cup runneth over.