A Birthday in Bed

I recently had a birthday but didn't get to spend it as I'd have liked.  I woke up with an awful headache that worsened whenever I got up or walked around.  So, in bed I stayed, all day.  I tried to sleep off the headache, but it just wouldn't leave.  My dear husband even got off early to spend time with me, but in bed I had to stay.  I spent much of the day praying and acknowledging to the Lord what a blessing it is to be around my family when I can, and reflecting on His goodness to us.

Since I was not feeling well, my husband ordered pizza for us (something I was craving anyways).  The family ate down in the kitchen while I was brought dinner in bed on a pretty tray.  In a little while, Husband came in to ask me if it would be all right for the children to bring up their gifts for me, as they really wanted me to open them.  "If they are not too noisy", I said.

In a few minutes, the door opened, and in came a line of my husband and children, quietly singing happy birthday to me.  My husband was carrying a beautiful chocolate cake that my eldest had made, complete with candles!  I received some very special homemade gifts and cards from my children, and my husband gave me some drawing supplies.  I hope I can use them soon.

Though I had wanted to spend my birthday with my family, the Lord had other plans, and His plans are always good.

The doily one of my daughters made for me

Some of my precious gifts and cards.  Another daughter made the earrings.

It is still green here in winter.  The only difference is that the trees are bare of leaves, but many of them have green vines growing up the trunks.

Top painting by Teresa Jenellen

Today's Plans

  I have been making my plans for each day in the morning.  I used to always keep a regular schedule and made one up for all of the children also that I printed out for everyone, but life has not been "normal" for awhile, so I've had to make due with taking each day as it comes.  But oh, how happy and glad I am that I can plan out a day at home of taking care of our home and family.

On the list for today is exercising, washing the bedding, teaching the children their school lessons, and doing some organising in my bedroom.  Of course, meals must be prepared as well.  During the day, while I am teaching the children, I like to put on some nice classical music in the background, either on the computer, or now on the CD player, as someone just kindly bought us a CD player.

The last several days, I have been looking through school books, as we will soon be ordering more books for a new school year!  We always look forward to this time of year, when new school books come.

There is much to do in a mother's day, but oh, how blessed we are.  We have been listening to the above video of classical music and have been enjoying it.  It is important to have uplifting, good, music for your home.

We went for a family walk the other day, and it was quite wet!

When You Want to Give Up

Some days are hard.  God sends trials.

Being a housewife is not always easy.

Some times children are hard.  Relationships are hard.

People hurt us.

Some times we want to give up.

But we can't.

We are in a spiritual battle, and we must remember we are on the Victor's side.

We have to keep fighting.

We can't give up.

And we can hope that one day we will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

With love,
Pleasant House