Driving into a new season...

At the beginning of April I packed up the kids and headed south. It was short notice, but I think it was the best thing I could've have done for us at the time. I look at the kids every day, even the really bad mommy days and think to myself, "I am so blessed to have these guys and watch them grow-up." I really feel like the trip was a way to surround myself with them constantly, out of our normal run-like-crazy days, just to be connected to the closest family we have left. One thing I thought on the way down was the further south we went the greener and prettier it became- like driving into a different season. The South has always been "home" in a way that I can't explain. My summers with my grandparents visiting family are my best memories. For this reason the sight of red dirt brings an almost painful rush of joy and tears to my eyes, knowing that my time south is precious.
This trip it was even more special...my first visit to Mississippi to see Jenny & her kids. Jenny is an absolute blessing to me and has been  for several years (really, that long already?)  and it was my first excursion down her way. And the added bonus was a visit with Denise & Keith, my second cousins one evening and a trip to the city cemetery to look up family markers.
Mississippi was nothing like I expected. I think I read too much...but as we crossed an unmarked state line (the only difference being the change in pavement, which was not for the better), I was pleasantly surprised by the lush green views that were rolling past the back roads we traveled on. Trees were in full bloom, some crops already planted and rural enough for everyone out to nod, tip their head or wave to us. We spent 2 wonderful afternoons playing at parks & a nature reserve, just letting the kids run. Jenny and I didn't get to talk any more than we do on a typical "Monday" night phone call, but it was enough to be in her calming presence for several hours.
We attempted, ahem, drove back toward Moulton to visit with Denise & Keith on Wednesday night and after an eventful 1 hour detour thanks to my phone's lacking GPS abilities in rural Alabama, made it in time for some delicious take-out BBQ. We all enjoyed hanging out at Denise's with them, just her sweet southern drawl makes me feel at home. And we brought home more canned pears from Keith and cucumbers pickled with red hots candy. We tried to take an alternate route home so we wouldn't be on the darkest of roads, but alas it was just not going our way. After our second serious detour of the night, we arrived back in Columbus, MS at our hotel at 4am. My only regret is not being able to see Jenny again before leaving the following morning. Lesson learned: Stay in Moulton with Denise for a few days straight, then closer to Jenny for a few days straight. No driving back and forth=more time with loved ones!
On our way home watching the season change slowly back from a lush, early Alabama summer to a dreary, not-quite spring of Kentucky I was thinking how my life has switched from one season to another and the timing of everything going on.
In more ways than one I can not wait for my summer to arrive! If it takes too long I may just pack up and drive until the red dirt starts creeping at the edges of the asphalt. God's timing it will be, but it was nice to see the glimpse of different season in myself and the reassurance of those that love me unconditionally.

A little explanation

I thought I would take this sleepless night before our March MOPS meeting to explain the title of my blog.
This name came to me several weeks ago which of course followed a night that my kids had cookies for dinner. It just shows how far we've let ourselves go, how far we've come and the grace that covers us all.
Which I know what you're thinking, "I get it shows how far you've let yourself go, but the rest?" Well let me explain...

Since what I think of as "The Big Change" we've had the luxury of eating healthier. We lost a picky eater (among other things I could call him) so our grocery shopping has revolved more around fresh fruits, health drinks & healthier snacks. The deep fryer has been banished to the garage, replaced by my new friend Coffeemaker, and for the most part we've done well in our healthier lifestyle changes. Though we have some indulgences, mainly in the form of little circular bits of happiness- the cookie.

For the most part I've been able to count my blessings and getting through day by day, prayer by prayer, but one particular day I felt so bad- in a nameless "It's just a nasty do nothing day" way that I completely spaced on food. The kids probably wish for more of these kinds of days even if I'd be happy to never see one again.
They had cereal for breakfast, string cheese (that's somewhat healthy, right?) yogurt tubes, and whatever else they could scavenge off the counters & top of the fridge. Around bedtime I realized they had all gotten into the Oreos and that was about the same time I realized they were just going to bed with that as their supper.


And the part about grace? Though it wasn't the best option for dinner that night God knows I needed that day to recharge. I think of this verse from Lamentations 3:22-23. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.