A Black Party

Lylah informed us that she was going to have a "Black Party". What IS a black party we wanted to know? She told us that it was where you eat black cookies. She loves a good black cookie if she can get one now a days. She had her first OREO ( double-stuffed, even!) at Grammy and Papa Jones' house last week and I am afraid she has been a little obsessed with them ever since. So I guess we could have some sort of "black party" soon. She told us that she would be having her black friends from school, her black toys, and her black mommy and daddy at the party. I am not sure I have met all these folks, but I am interested...
Tonight she and I made All Bran muffins and supper together. She loves to help in the kitchen. Any time I am in there she is busy bringing a chair over to the counter to be my helper. Most of the time there is a giant mess when she has helped because she really loves to sample as she goes, but I am so happy she loves to be in there. I finally felt able to cook today. I have had a lot of work stuff this week and also been very tired. So I have been a poor cooker ( and cleaner) in the kitchen and have just ended up in bed not sleeping. But tonight was a joy. She was so proud of herself for stirring the wet ingredients and helping find the right tools for measuring and pouring. We counted muffin cups and set the timer and waited for the goodies to be done. When Glen got home from work she ran to him telling him all about her muffins and how she put the raisins on top and how they are her, " best, best,best, favorite, favorite cupcakes ever, ever, ever." I could eat her and her cute curls up. She has been telling us the things that are her "best, best, best, ever, ever, ever" as of late. It is so sweet that she is starting to have some opinions that she really has come up with all on her own. She is getting to be such a big girl.
Thinking of her and thinking of adding another baby to our family makes me feel so grateful for the privilege of raising children and also feel the magnitude of the calling set before me. I just recently have been able to be in contact with a friend that I have loved for many years and with whom I have not been in constant contact. But each time we reconnect it is like we never skipped a beat. She is a mother to 5 and has a full plate with church, home, and homeschooling. She inspires me to be a better mom. not because I regard her as supernatural or perfect or whatever, but because her first priority is teaching her children to love Jesus and to love others. Some days I have that priority in the forefront of my mind and then others I am just floating through my days without any real goals.
When I started this blog I intended for it to be, well, I don't know, crafty, or fun or informative about my little Lylah. One thing I did not want was for the blog to all about me and my narcissistic woes. I saw it as a blessing and a beginning...a beginning to an intentional life. I felt like it was somehow in God's timing for me and his provision for my spirit. This sounds crazy. I believe that keeping up with this blog will help me to stay on target and focus on a goal and then accomplish that goal. What goal? The act of living intentionally every day. This has about a million sub-points for me, but I shan't go into them all. But one of the main goals is to focus on Jesus and know him more. Secondary to that is to share that love with Lylah and Glen. Next is the goal of dong art or crafty stuff. I have pages of ideas and good intentions sitting and waiting. My nature is creative and it was given to me by God to be used. I am not me unless I am using it. I have been "not me" for a while, despite the constant encouragement from my sweet husband and friends and family too. I have allowed excuses and circumstances to squelch my creative spirit. But no more. I live a life intentional as of now. Perhaps I will dedicate today as my own "black party", the one where I allow the Refiner's fire to burn away my junk and char the deadness that I have been so desperately clinging to.
Yes, I do feel like this crazy blog is a fresh start for me. New mind, new attitude, new focus, new baby in my belly, new ETSY shop in my near future.... I am so excited! This is one of those really great days where one little thing flowed into another and blossomed into beauty. Thanks for the inspiration, Jesus. How do you always know just how to do that for me at the exact right time? Well, I know how, but...wow!