Fruit Inspection

Let’s see… ummmm… oh yeah, that’s right… after a trip to Orlando and a week catching up with laundry and such, I got to go to Birmingham this past weekend for an event called Dot.Mom.

It was a fun time with other mom friends of mine. We worshipped, went to break-out sessions on various topics, and sat through amazing lectures by women such as Vicki Courtney and Priscilla Shirer. As wonderful as the event itself was, the fellowship I had with women that usually get no more than a “hi, how are you” as we frantically pass in the halls on Sunday mornings getting our kids to their classes was even better.

We talked, we laughed, we cried. We scrapbooked, stayed up too late watching old episodes of Law and Order, and talked some more. We bragged on our kids and vented frustration over those same people. We slept in and then paid way too much for the hotel’s breakfast buffet before heading for home.

Yesterday and today I am back to the daily grind. Laundry, school, dinner, groceries, bills, arguments to settle, endless piles of dirty dishes, exhausting conversations about what’s fair, dusting, vacuuming, toilets to scrub, discipline to administer, scheduling appointments, and puppies to scold for leaving “presents” instead of going outside! Whew!!! What happened to room service?

In 3 days, life hasn’t changed. But this week I am calm and contented. My words are kind and I am patient. There is delight in the mundane and I find myself looking into the eyes of my child when s/he is talking to me.

These are not new concepts that I picked up over the weekend. But they are difficult for me to do when I find myself running on empty.

This past weekend was all about refreshing my body as well as my soul. I am refocused. Ready to tackle the best (and worst) of what this life has to offer. I am thankful for that opportunity. And guess what…so are my kids!