Gratitute on a Friday

This afternoon, I packed up my big, red, double stroller with my two precious little boys...and we went for a walk to the nearby school for some playtime.  My stroller finally feels a little lighter now that Alex can sit in there without his car seat.  A little bit of weight lifted so to speak.

The sun, the fresh air, the 30 comments from my 2 7/8 year old toddler, and the beating of my out-of shape heart as I pushed 80+ pounds up a fairly steep hill...

We played on the play structures, ran around the track, went down slides, and laughed. It was glorious.

While walking around we passed a portable classroom and through the window I could see a teacher, still at her desk, hard at work.  Oh how I remember those long days.  Never, ever enough time to get work done during the day. Aaron used to drive up to my school after his last college class most Fridays my first and second year of teaching and clean my overhead, my white boards, and help me with whatever I needed in my classroom. He has always had the gift of helping people. I knew he'd be a keeper. There was always something to prep, to grade, to prepare, to clean.....  I know a lot of great, hard-working teachers. They are invaluable. But right now, I am so very thankful that I'm not one of them.  Right now I'm truly grateful that I don't have to be distracted by a job.  I am resolved to not take these days for granted....these days I am home with my boys. Every day, they are growing up right in front of my eyes.

I often blog about ways to save money because that has become a big part of my job.  Making things myself, clipping coupons, being resourceful, etc. So many things I'm learning.  It can be extra work,  but it's worth it.  And today, all of those little things we do to save money were shown to be overwhelmingly worth it.

Despite the fact that we had traumatic beginnings with both of our boys....  Despite that our experience with parenthood has not been typical.....Despite anything that could have worn us down,  I can see how much stronger Aaron and I have grown as a couple through our trials. I love my little family.  I love that I live with all boys.  I love that my boys adore their daddy.  I adore him myself.

I can breathe a little better these days.  I can look back at the first 8 months of our second baby journey with gratitude that we've come out of it loving each other and loving God more than we thought possible.

³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

-Romans 5:3-5