Home

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was this little sign that I set out in my kitchen.

Over the past 7 years or so, my heart has come to passionately love and embrace being home, and making our home a place my family loves to be.  Trevor has done extremely well in his mornings at Pre-K this year, and my dad recently asked him what his favorite things about school were.  His answer was sweet and sincere.  "Centers, playground, and going home."  When I asked him about his last answer he said, "Because I like home, home is my favorite."

I know what he means.  I love when mornings allow me to be home with a fresh brewed cup of coffee, Bible, and study.  I love listening to the sound effects my son my son makes while playing with spaceships, motorcycles, cars, and Lego's.  I love the belly laughs that float around when my kids crack each other up.  I love after school snacks at the kitchen table and scooters on the back porch and family dinnertime and comfy conversations with my husband after the kids are in bed.   I am thankful I have been able to teach music lessons from home, and open up our home to many guests and friends through the years.

And despite the adjustment it was, the times during the toddler years where I was ready to pull my hair out and go back to work (where I could wear high heels and get a paycheck and someone actually appreciated me...ever have those conversations with yourself during a tough toddler moment!), and the bad days/moments sprinkled in with the good, I have loved being home with my kids.  Truly and earnestly loved it, and wouldn't trade this time for any position or possession in the world. These years at home have been an investment and a gift. 

Two weeks ago Madi had a morning doctor's appointment that turned out to be no fun at all.  I dried her tears and instead of sending her to school that day, I took her home.  I set out her pillow pet, soft Disney blanket, pillow, and nestled her comfortably on the couch.  It was a cold, rainy day so I made two cups of her favorite drink...peppermint hot cocoa. In that quiet moment and cup of cocoa shared with my daughter, I was immensely grateful to be home.

So as my little sign says, home sweet home is indeed where something good is always brewing.  Well, it is if you make it that way.   Home is not a house or an address, it is the sweet and safe place the four of us share our life and love.  It is our soft spot to land.  It is a place of grace.  In Trevor's words, home is our favorite.

I followed my heart and it led me home.