{i'm still here}

although actually sitting HERE at my computer has not been a priority of
late.  At least not to blog.  Things like squeezing what little time I have left in
my day before the boys go to bed once I get home from the firm into "family
time" has been the priority.  And, I feel like I've failed at it miserably.

And, I'm on here only for a moment because I have a hot cooked

meal on the stove for a change.  We'll be sitting around the table tonight. 

I actually made a decision to stay home today to get some things done 

that have been direly neglected like laundry, cleaning, getting bills paid,

photography work etc, etc, etc

Will be back soon!

BUT, in the meantime...know that I am dreaming of the beach

when I am organizing 1,478, 811 pages of medical records.

Well, and cupcakes at the beach {THAT was actually a dream a 

few weeks back for real.  TH was involved, although she didn't know it and

what happened??? The alarm clock before I made it to the cupcakes!!} 

{amazing!}

hmmmm...

Last night I had about a 30 minute stretch of time in which I wanted to break away from my desk and read. So, I grabbed one of my books. {I typically read about 5-6 books at a time} This particular one I had not picked up in probably about 3-4 weeks.

I had dog-eared a page, so I turned to it. For me, that isn't a flag of a great find to go back to...but the place I left off preceded that page....it was where I was to begin next.

I promise, this is what I read...

God will always give you everything you need to do his will, including time. Don't live in a rush. Elisabeth Elliot

Do you think that maybe someone is trying to tell me something?

That was the very same quote I had read and referenced from my morning devotion. Two different books. A 'random' booked I pulled from one of my shelves with just a little time to squeeze in a quick read.

This time it was from "How to Build Your Home on Holy Ground" by Donna Otto.

Here are a few other things that I read for the first time, but had to "re-read" because they spoke out so much to me...

"Being intentional about your life goals, your purposes and your priorities is an important antidote to cultural chaos. If you set aside time to listen to God's specific call on you life and focus your energy on fulfilling that call, you'll be far less likely to waste your time on the cultural treadmill. You'll be living your life my conviction, not circumstance...and your life will be much more peaceful."

The next page contained a quote from Elizabeth Prentiss...

"If you could once make up your mind in the fear of God never to undertake more work of any sort than you can carry on calmly, quietly, without hurry or flurry, and the instant you feel yourself growing nervous, like one out of breath, would stop and take a breath, you would find this simple common sense rule doing for you what no prayers or tears could ever accomplish."

So stopped and I took that breath last night after I laid out a plan for the busy work weekend that lies ahead of me. Then, I stopped. I put a very late family dinner on the table {don't ask what it was, but it still counts!} and the conversations that I had with both boys {all three}, but especially the time spent with Noah after everyone else retreated back to the living room were priceless.

I am amazed as always. What are the mathematical odds of that happening as I own a small scale library?

No coincidence.

I'm listening.

and, learning.

{in the midst of}

how crazy my desk is right now.

how late i will be up tonight.

will i go to bed?

the numerous phone calls to attorney and from attorney today.

our prep via phone that begins tomorrow and will last off and on through her 6 hour drive.

i do have something to look forward to tonight.

family dinner.

my crock pot is simmering with chicken supreme.

my house reeks of a mixture of collard greens and mustards {for evan}

i know, i know?

it's his favorite.

next to salad with vinegar and olive oil.

i know?

i think the Ree {PW} is invited by way of mashed potatoes.

noah has a crush on ree i think.

and, i will allow all of us to have a stiff drink.

of, coca-cola.

that will thrill the boys.

it's always a treat when not accompanied by a happy meal.

it's a nice something to look forward to.

so, although i am COMPLETELY kicking myself for allowing this to happen again...

i'm taking a break come 6.

oh!

i am really going to live it up!!

happy hour will be calling our name at pick-up time.

i'm thinking a route 44 of something.

for the boys, blue coconut slushes.

i"ll choose to forget the last incident in the car with a slush.

it will be a good night

despite........