Tuesdays Unwrapped

A blog I follow has a regular post called Tuesdays Unwrapped. Although I don't believe I've ever participated, on occasion I have read some of the entries and have been intrigued by the idea of seeing my life through thankful eyes and unwrapping the gifts of the everyday. Taken from a post in September:

Tuesdays are set aside around here to take time to share a moment that may have otherwise disappeared under the pile of daily tasks. Instead, we stop, notice and we are thankful.

Tonight as I was in the kitchen enjoying the laughs and giggles of McGee and Daddy playing hide-and-seek throughout the house I realized that today has been a treasured gift. From waking to the pelting rain and blustery winds with a sweet little hand caressing my cheek and asking me to wake up and put on some cartoons, to the time spent cleaning up after dinner while my family played, I have received a blessed gift today.

Here is a little run down of this perfectly wrapped package:

- wake to my adorable son and cuddle with him on the couch for an extra 1/2 hour of sleep for me and snuggles with mommy and cartoons for him

- arrive to Mom's Connection ON TIME and have both children dropped off at their nursery classes without any whining or crying

- wonderful time of food and fellowship with the amazing women in my small group

- picking up smiling happy-faced children and learning of the fun they had (and snuggles for Miss Em) in their classes, despite also receiving a report that McGee had a little issue with talking too much and telling everyone "I'm a monster!" when it was time to be quite. Oops! I'm afraid this may be a common complaint from teachers in our future, as she also said he kind of wanted to try and teach the class himself. :)

- arriving home safely despite the extreme winds and rain, flooding and downed trees

- an unexpected call from a dear long-distance friend and the news that they'll be adopting a little girl in February! Praise the Lord! I just enjoyed our conversation so much and let the kids play an extra 1/2 hour after they should have been sleeping because I didn't want to get off the phone. Love you Bekah!

- McGee having to get up only once during nap to "go potty". While he was sitting there he said, "Why is it raining and so windy?" Then he laughs and says, "That's so silly! They're outside there playing, the rain and wind are friends!"

- Enjoying a nice nap myself amidst the storm raging outside and then being slightly awakened every now and then by the laughs and squeals of McGee and Miss Em playing with Daddy who must have gotten them up from their naps so I could keep sleeping

- Spotting a beautiful rainbow outside our window while preparing dinner and discussing with McGee the promise God gives us in each rainbow we see. McGee said, "Is the rainbow hungry?" Me - "No I don't think it eats." McGee - "I think it's hungry. I'm going to feed it some dinner so it doesn't get tired and go away. I just need a balloon to take me high in the sky so I can feed it."

- Delicious dinner of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, a favorite rainy day meal. Heard Miss Em speak more and more as she said, "I'm thirsty" and copied many things McGee said all day.

- Finished off the night with some good old "Hide & Seek" fun for McGee & Daddy and Miss Em just loved running all over the place laughing. After the dishes were done I joined in on the games and just can't express how much this unhurried, relaxed, downtime with my family is a gift that should never be taken for granted. Daddy gave the kids a bath and readied them for bed as I put a fresh apple crisp in the oven for us to enjoy once the kids were down.

I hope today brought you blessings as well and that you'll join me in appreciating the tiny gifts in the everyday moments we have.