The rooster crows usually bother me. We have neighbors on either side who have roosters and these roosters normally start about 4:30am. It's not quite 8am now and they crow, well - according to me counting under my breath, about every 7-10 seconds. 

I grew up in the city and never woke to the sound of a rooster. I had books as a child that talked about farms and I read about how roosters crowed and I kind of thought somehow it would be cool. But I don't now. Nope, even the other morning I thought about taking my shot gun and . . . making me some rooster pot pie.

I remember a day not so long ago, maybe just several years ago - as in like four - that we lived in the inner city and between two railroad tracks. Each morning the ground would rumble, the house shake. The noise was so hard to get use to when we first lived down there. But then it kind of become back ground noise. 

The roosters haven't become background noise. At least not most mornings.

This morning is pretty though, over the hills. I love our view, even if it means roosters. The mist sits low on the hills and the sky is cloudless. When the sun rose it was pink-orange. Like a huge balloon, perfect and round.

Shelton was gone before I could get myself out of bed. He has football practice before school even starts and has to be there no later then 6:30.

Christian woke up acting like the non-morning person that he is and it's my job to get him geared up and out the door by 7:00. It's actually a good time because it's usually just the two of us and we get some kitchen table time before I hug him and say goodbye.

Scott it last to leave. This morning he wasn't feeling himself. I made a fruit shake of pineapple, banana, frozen strawberries, lemon juice, water. Actually tasted pretty good and I sat with him at the table drinking it and talking about whether he should go to school or not. But there is a history test today in second period and . . . I left the decision up to him. He went back and forth. I would have loved to have him stay. 

But he is gone too now. 

I am grateful our schools are so close. I see them here from the window. I like being able to see where Christian is and where Shelton and Scott are. Oh, how there will be a day all too soon where I won't. So, I just appreciate today, even with those rooster crows still going just now. I like how Robert can take them to school in the mornings and spend time talking and praying with each other them on their way there and in the carpool lane before they head in.

Usually after they all leave, I notice something someone has forgotten. A school ID, a lunch (ugh), a textbook, a homework assignment, or football gloves. Something.

But today I don't see anything. yet. And in a way I kind of don't mind when one of them leaves something because that means mid-day I go over there at lunch. Sometimes I go at lunch whether they forget something or not. Just to eat with them, or hang out a little before returning home for little girl's nap time.

Bub went to my mom's this morning for his schooling.

I only have four girls this morning. Four.

One of which has been up and being her crazy silly little self for almost an hour now. She is Lake. The week Scott was gone with my parents I determined to have her completely 100% potty trained day/night. It took a week, but after that week, she was good! When she wakes she has the funniest habits though. A bowl of cereal, always the same kind, with milk - BUT, the milk must cover every single part and piece of the cereal, or it's like the world has ended. Then she uses the restroom and brushes her teeth. 

She checks, are her princess underwear on? Uh no! if not, then the house should come down.

Yes, Miss Drama Queen is in training these days big time. I love her personality and I am not into squelching it one tiny bit, but teaching her that life isn't about just her and that loving God and loving others is what life is all about. . . it comes with not playing into her every wish, showing her making life miserable for everyone else is not going to be the pattern around here.

I don't give my toddlers the option of "If it feels good, do it." But I'm no strict mommy. I don't do rules really very well. But, taking time to make pleasant children for their own benefit and the benefit of others means encouraging at a young age that the world doesn't revolve around them.

Which means I must stay calm, cool, and collected in my heart and attitude so that she knows in her spirit I don't think life is just about me either. How to do that every single crying-out-loud time?! Because after all, she does give me a chance to reveal my heart like once a minute. . .

Well, as with all the children at this age, she and I are growing in grace together. The process is hard but I know the main thing is that she know I love her and that I am after her best and not my comfort and that her behavior isn't for me, it's for her sake in the long run. My patience and consistency in showing her what is loving to others and to God is my goal each and everyday.

~

My time is up. Haven wants to climb down and stop feeding and three other little girls are ready to roll into this new day.

There is lots to do besides some schooling because we all had the flu last week. Me included. Oh wow, was it bad. Laundry has been out of this world huge. Now that I feel a week behind, I know I just need to live the next moment, the next minute, do the very next thing.

Soon this day will be over. Somehow though each day means, well, one more down, one more less. . . and I want to live like there is no tomorrow. Even if on the last day of my life I were to need to do laundry and chores and teach pre-school.

So God, give me the strength. Renew my health, my strength, my stamina for what lies ahead of me today. Help me to love hard.

Love well.

Live full.

Hope.

Pray.

Laugh.

Turn some music on right now and dance with the girls first thing here in the living room together and get this party started.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83R-XQhDUWg

I took a picture very similar to this black and white earlier this year - but the other day 

when I shot this, I saw one of the reason I just love her sleeping pictures. She always crosses her

arms exactly the same way when she sleeps. Precious to me.

She loves to come in our bed in the mornings. . .

Showing her four teeth. . .

She likes to put her head band on and off all by herself. . .

Playing with her baby doll.

Alyssa