In Case They Ever Wonder

These little piggies have been living in a pig sty. We used to have a great cleaning routine. A weekly list of particular chores that happened on a weekly basis. I actually used to dust our house each week. Then, this became an every-other-week cleaning routine. Not quite the standard I was hoping for, but the house was staying basically clean. With this pregnancy, we have resorted to the "when-is-the-next-time-we're-having-company" cleaning routine. (Thankfully we have our fair share of company, so haz-mat has never been required...) Sophie had a lovely way of reminding me that we have adopted a new system. She walked into her bathroom, which I was furiously cleaning, took one look at me, and said, "Let me guess. You're getting ready for Aunt Pammie!" Yes, indeed, my cleaning the upstairs bathroom can only signal one thing - somebody's coming! House-keeping creates a very real tension in my life. I truly love a clean house. I actually, physically feel b...

I read several "mommy blogs," including a couple of dear friends' blogs, but even more that I've found through searching the web. One of the blogs that I enjoy In the Heart of My Home  led me to the blog of one of my favorite authors, Sally Clarkson. Mrs. Clarkson's blog is called I Take Joy , and her recent post " Rest and peace--ahhhhhhhh!"  was just what I needed to hear, and it  reminded me of why I find her writing so encouraging. In fact, I began re-reading one the first books I read by her, The Mission of Motherhood . Already I am so thankful to find myself remembering why I have chosen to do some of the things the way I do, when it seems that there has to be an easier route.  In the first chapter of The Mission of Moth erhood , Mrs. Clarkson beautifully describes my greatest hopes for my children: "...I have come to picture the heart of each child as a treasure chest. Each chest is empty and needs to be filled with the riches of unconditi on...