Finding Joy and Thanksgiving in Chores

I have been struggling with finding joy and giving thanks as I go through my daily routine. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful husband, amazing little girl, and beautiful home! As I go through my daily routine of caring for Jack, Maggie, and the house, it is easy to loose sight of my calling as a wife and mom....to serve the Lord joyfully! He has given me SO MUCH when I deserve NOTHING! His grace and mercy pour out and cover me!

My prayer is the Lord will give me a joyful heart and heart of thanksgiving as I go through my daily chores of folding the same clothes, washing the same dishes, wiping down the same highchair, vacuuming the same floor, changing the same little bottom, cleaning the same house, and cooking the same meals. Praise God that I am able to do these things!

Well, I am starting to get a little help from Maggie. On Mondays we try to do all of the laundry (we have to do a few more loads through out the week, but it helps to knock out the bulk of it).

She really likes to clean the cabinet knobs...

...she uses all means necessary:)

She makes sure all of the trash is out of the trash basket.

She is very into details...

and loves to wipe down the oven (with her fingers:).

The Vacuum.

Maggie's least favorite thing to do.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God...I am glad and rejoice with you all. So you to should be glad and rejoice with me." Philippians 2:12-18

Thursday and Friday

This past Thursday our dear friend Lee J returned from deployment...

Maggie's day started at 4:30 am when we headed to Fort Benning to welcome him home.

Captain Lee J. Webb

Although she was yawning...

...she was so happy to see Mr. Lee J.

We then jumped back on interstate and headed to Chattanooga for our first family vacation.

We were in stand still traffic for an hour...obviously she didn't mind.

After her meal, we placed her straight in the sink for a bath.

She was so excited to do her trick in the condo...

...and play on the bed after her bath.

Cousin Holden came over on Friday.

Uncle Jack was trying to teach him some Georgia Tech cheers...

...which Maggie thought was funny.

I am so thankful for her sweet demeanor!

We tried a photo shoot.

Maggie just thought it was funny and Holden was unsure.

He has the cutest little face!

Jack thought it would be funny to put a little top hat on his head.

Holden left...

...and Maggie got to work.

After checking her e-mail, we loaded up for a walk across the bridge...

...to the FOUNTAINS!!!

She loved playing in the fountains (until one of the animal statues squirted her:)

Time for a break!

They shared a cherry flavored shaved ice.

It was a great family vacation!

Bennett and Maggie

Today Bennett came over to play! Here are some snap shots from their time together!

I must have been doing something hilarious:)

Handsome little Bennett

Learning to share a book.

Snack Time!

They both loved eating Cheerios!

I just put some in between the two of them and they were like vultures:)

While they played they sat side by side...it was so sweet!

Quick Trip

Maggie and I took a quick trip to Macon today to visit Holden.

She had fun playing with my sunglasses on this road trip.

First Stop...

FPD

(the lockers in the JR High building)

Grandmother and Maggie by her building.

Next Stop...

The Pyles' where Ed stopped by for a visit.

Holden and Maggie

(or little Carson and little Jack)

Nancy pulled out all of Kate, Jack, and Carson's baby clothes.

This was Kate's hat when she was little.

Maggie was somewhat unsure about it.

Then we had a quick cousins' photo shoot...

...where Maggie was protecting Holden from falling off of the chair...

...and showing off her little trick...

...and finally a good one.

Final Stop...

Supper with Joseph and Jojo at Calientes...

...well it was more of a photo shoot in Joseph's Jeep/my old Jeep.

Maggie in Uncle Jo's favorite hat.

I think she is ready to drive!