Because I asked

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Tulips00011It's quiet in this early morning. I can hear the rattled breathing coming from varied bedrooms, but save for that, it's quiet. Apparently, a virus has taken up residence in my house. Fevers have been raging and little bodies shaking since last Thursday (each in their own turn). Last night, the baby was hot--very hot. And so we sat together in the dark and the quiet and I prayed. All night long. I prayed that she would recover quickly. I prayed for the children in hospitals. I prayed for children who need hospitals but aren't there. I prayed for mothers of children who don't get better. Sleep deprivation and forced wakefulness are great motivators for prayer. I knew that I'd be running below empty today (hey, come to think of it, I had a half-asleep dream last night that the van ran out of gas;-). So, I spent a whole lot time praying for strength and for grace. Strength to do the work that comes with a household this large and many needy bodies. Grace to do it with a gentle smile. I hear them stirring now. I'm off to begin my day, a day sure to be filled with tired, sighing prayers sent heavenward. A day filled with extraordinary grace. Because I asked.

Freeze Yer Buns!

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FreezeyerbunsI admit that I'm a big energy consumer in the summer.I over-use air conditioning.  Heat makes me wilt in a big way--I think it's because my blood pressure is practically non-existent. But I do try to make amends in the winter. I like to be a little cold. And I love a warm sweater. There is nothing more sleep-inducing than a down comforter with a heavy quilt on top. Cold? Bring it on! Kara alerted me to Crunchy Chicken's admonition not to be left out of the cold. In the Foss household, we're shooting for 64 degrees during the day and 55 at night. I am fully aware, every time I drag the trash out to the curb, that this household of ten makes a greater impact on the environment than the house next door. I'd like to think that we can also make a greater impact for the better. I'd like to think that the people being educated inside this chilly house are being made aware of how important it is to reduce, reuse, recycle (and but the way, that CD is way too great to miss--even the big brothers are loving it--many thanks, Mary Chris). We are very, very happy to eat locally and love the farms that bring us food. We are over-the-top cloth diaper fans. But we also have a lot to learn and a lot more to do to ensure that all the people in this household grow up aware of their serious responsibility to be good stewards the beautiful world with which they've been blessed.We're going to freeze our buns this winter. Are you in?
Oh, and if you're coming to visit, consider yourself warned--bring a sweater and some fuzzy socks:-)

Inspired.

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I have to be inspired to clean. Sometimes, all it takes is a new scent from Mrs. Meyers. Sometimes, all it takes is knowing that the truck to take away my giveaways will be here Wednesday. Sometimes, all it takes is knowing that the lady who has been cleaning her footprints off the fridge and everything else in sight will be in my house in a few short weeks. And sometimes, it's a beautiful blog with really well organized lists that lights my fire. This morning, the stars have all lined up. It's all there. It's all happening. I have an overwhelming urge to put things in order. Kara's lists are really remarkable. They are Flylady inspired and  tweaked for her personal use.  There is an overall at-a-glance for dailies, weeklies, and zones. Then, she's detailing, room by room, for her homekeeping notebook. I was just saying that my notebook really needs some updating. Michael's departure completely sacked my routines and now that we finally have new ones in places, my pages need re-doing. Kara has beautifully  inspired me. I have Home Comforts and I have Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. Should be a simple thing to "just do it," particularly given all the inspiration I have. Should be. First though, a cup of tea...and then I promise, I'll get going. Many blessings to you on this Monday morning. New weeks are so inspiring, aren't they?