How your day is going is really a matter of perspective. Really. It is.

The other day I was having one of those days where I had allowed my perspective to get knocked around a bit. I had overslept. The kiddos had not. A couple of the little ones really should have slept a bit longer. (This means they were really, really grumpy. So was I. Fun times.) School just wasn’t happening the way it should. Energy was abounding and the weather was not outdoor play friendly. Honestly, it all boils down to the fact that mommy was in a bad mood. And I allowed my thoughts to keep me in a bad mood.

Until God gave me a little smack upside the head and put my perspective back on track.

I was standing at the kitchen sink ignoring the squeals of laughter and joy coming from the back room and looked out the window. What did I see?

Yep. A school bus. I looked out the window and saw a school bus letting off some children. No big deal, right? It was 5:01pm. Five o’clock in the evening. Hello??? School is out before 3 and we are getting home at 5?!?!? We are not in a big city where the children are bussed across town. I could not believe it.

And that is the moment the squeals from the other room penetrated my brain. And my perspective changed.

Those children could have been my children just getting home from a long day at school. Just walking in the door as I was cooking dinner. But my children were home. With me. With each other having a blast.

I’m not sure what they were playing. They were having a great time. When Sam woke up and I couldn’t finish dinner, Mary took over and just pretended their cook had died and she needed to take over preparing their meals.

This child cracks me up. She can make cooking into a part of their adventures out West.

And if I was still struggling with a grumpy attitude, well, this face really helped my heart. The girl means business.

Perspective is such an important thing. I’m so thankful for seeing that school bus drive by the house. I was focusing on all the wrong things. I was focusing on how loud the kiddos were instead of the joy coming from those squeals. I was complaining about chores not getting done instead of focusing on my mean cook always ready to lend a hand. I was focusing on siblings’ little squabbles and forgetting the bond of friendship they share.

How’s your perspective today?

“Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these.”

Philippians 4:8

***Disclaimer: I homeschool my children and I stand firm on that choice. No offense intended to those who send their kiddos to public school and use the big yellow bus.

I am a little late in posting about Bekah’s birthday because, honestly, I just don’t know where to begin with how wonderful this girl is to me. I was going to type child but she is definitely a young lady and no longer a child.

On January 31^st she turned 11. Once again her birthday was celebrated with the ground covered in ice; just as her 1^st birthday was. She didn’t care. Did it dampen her celebration? Not the slightest. All she wanted was a late night girls’ night at home with chocolate and a movie. Precious. She is just precious to my heart.

To think I once held her in my arms and cuddle with her during her naps.

She is my right hand. All the little ones love her to pieces. She is such a blessing to our family. It was a bittersweet birthday for me. I love seeing the young woman she is becoming but it is sometimes hard to say good-bye to the little girl she was.

Happy Birthday, Bekah!!!!!

Nana’s leftovers are my children’s special treats. Yeah Nana!

Today my mom, Nana, dropped by for a short visit to see her precious grandchildren. They were so excited to see her. We hadn’t seen her since Christmas. As always Nana came with all kinds of goodies. The one that got squeals of delight was the boxes of Krispy Kreme donughnuts. Oh. My. They were so good. Um, let me focus. Sorry. Of course there was a bit of Valentine candy and Twizzlers. The usual apples, oranges and bananas because my kiddos love fruit.

And then it was the leftovers, the outcasts, and the food that Nana bought and discovered she didn’t like or didn’t like her, lol. And this, my friend, delights my children.

What was today’s unexpected treasure?

Yep. Kashi. Mary was the first to take a bite. She loves it. My little I’ll- take- fruit –over- candy –can-only –eat-one- doughnut kiddo. Caleb loves it, too. I’m guessing they will be sharing this for breakfast tomorrow. Three cheers for Nana!!!!

Thankfully they agreed it was a lot like our granola so they won’t be asking me to buy a $5 box of cereal.

This post is part of the Steady Mom’s 30-minute Blog Challenge. This was a 16-minute blog post.

My friend, Melissa, hosts Share a Blog. I have really enjoyed discovering new blogs. I thought I would play along today.

Large Family Mothering is one of my favorite blogs. This is written by a home school mom of fifteen. It never fails on one of those rough days that I can find some encouragement at this blog. Enjoy!