A Full Life

Thanks to the wonders of technology, I recently reconnected with a few old friends on Facebook. These are people with whom I went to elementary school. Reality smacked me upside the head when I realized that I probably have not seen these folks for 25 years. Twenty five!! Good gracious.

We gave each other a brief synopsis of what we are all doing now and commented on all of our cute children. What really made me stop and think, though, was that two of these old friends made the exact same comment to me:

"It looks like you have a very full life."

Wow.

Of course, then I had to stop and ask myself, do I really? Do I lead a full life?

I have been pondering that question for several days now. I want to live a full life - very much, in fact. I can't say that I have always succeeded. We all have seasons that are challenging and those that are smooth sailing, but I am learning (ever so slowly) to choose peace and contentment even during the challenging seasons.

When I step back and evaluate my life right now, yes, there are some things I would like to change. I would love for finances to never be an issue. I would love a slightly bigger house, I would love to be able to travel. But I have the basics. I have a husband who loves me. I have two very healthy and fantastic children. We have great relationships with our parents and families. I have the privilege of staying home and educating my children. We laugh a lot. We love our church and are very involved there. I have made some wonderful new friends this year.

My old friends were right. I do have a very full life. And I am very thankful.

Where's My Seatbelt?

I've mentioned before that my family is going to Michigan on July 11 to spend a week at family camp. Needless to say, this event is looked on with great anticipation by all of us. Last night, though, life through us a curve ball. A good one, but a curve ball nonetheless.

Now, instead of having the next 16 days to leisurely get ready for our trip, it seems we are also going to Missouri and California BEFORE we go to Michigan. Yikes.

The trip to Missouri is to spend a few days with Greg's parents and pick up the car we have sort of inherited. However, the trip now will serve as double-duty because we are hoping the kids can stay with them for a few days while Greg and I fly to California. Greg has a new business opportunity with two friends there, which should be great - but we need to fly out to have some meetings to get all the details hashed out. Hopefully, Greg and I will be in San Francisco for two days, then fly back to Missouri and then drive from there to Michigan the next day.

In the midst of this, I'm still trying to figure out how to pay the bills and get everything done. I'm teaching a class at the Neighborhood Knit Shop on Saturday, then I'll be at church most of the day on Sunday, Greg has a day trip to Dayton, OH on July 1 and we hope to leave for Missouri on July 2. Oh, and I'm scheduled to teach another knitting class the day after we return from Michigan.

I think I'd better buckle up. It may be a bumpy ride. If I don't post as much in the next three weeks, I hope you understand.