Smudges on the window. Paw prints on the door. Crumbs in the cushions. Yellow fur in the carpet. Dishes, diapers, vacuuming, dusting, changing, chasing. Our house has been a bit crazy lately. Who knew a little toddler girl and one large puppy could require so much care, clean up, etc. etc.? Oh ya! Pretty much everyone who sees us on our neighborhood walks takes one look at my dear girl trying to make an exit from the stroller while I struggle to coral the crazy one on the leash AND walk in a straight line takes one look... then notices my bulging belly and comments "Wow! You've got you're hands full!" If I had a dollar for every time I heard that....
At times raising a toddler and anticipating a new baby seems daunting. Anxiety creeps in, and I wonder what in the world were we thinking. But through the mess, the endless struggle to keep my daughter in clothes and my dog from going crazy, I remembered a conversation I had with Dan when I was lamenting the fact that I had just cleaned the windows for the umpteenth time and already I could see tongue streaks and finger prints. He looked at me and said, "Those finger prints mean there's life in our house."
So lately, I have taken a step back and thought about how full our life is. Good, sweet life. Moments I will always cherish..... Little feet running to catch up, pudgy hands that reach up to be held, the joy of seeing Lillian accomplish little life tasks on her own.... washing hands, going potty, taking off pants and diaper (yes, this is becoming a problem), putting on shoes, coloring with crayons, "helping" set the table, telling Daddy about her day. On our family adventure to the beach this past weekend, Lillian was hugging my belly and talking to Baby Sister. This is not to mention my dog, who at every opportunity, showers us with slobbery kisses and lays her whole
head body on our laps. Our life is very full! And then there's my belly, which reminds me daily that more life is on the way.... a wiggling, kicking, dancing, full of life baby.
I was downtown at the Mission yesterday, letting my Little Independent Spirit explore to her heart's content {insert diverting her away from the creek, large gaps on the bridge and high ledges that she wants to tackle into this ideal image}. We were on the large bridge, connecting the Mission to the restaurants and stores, when out of the blue a homeless man called out from down below, "You are really quite blessed. You have no idea." There was no bitterness in his words. They were spoken as if he had simply made an observation. I looked down at Lil and at my growing bump and thought, "Life is good. Life is a little hard right now. But life is good." A little perspective goes a long way.
I'm thankful for our full life. To think of our Little House of Dreams void of life and empty makes me sad. Writing this little blurp of our life right now, has me doing what Dan always tells me to do.... Keep your eyes on all that you have to be thankful for. Thank you, Lord, for providing this fullness of life. For the fullness of my house... for my family.
Pictures to come....
