this is the way it's suppose to be

wellllllllllllll....

HAPPY MONDAY!

....like my cute mom always says :)

A couple weeks ago a nurse that I work with, whom I totally admire for multiple reasons, was telling me about this fabulous day-off she had with her daughter. Now, it's not the TYPICAL day-off you might be thinking of ... :) They got up on time, excercised together, cleaned the whole house together, updated food storage, baked bread together and worked on the garden together. She was telling me how wonderful it felt to work so hard, be soo productive and spend that time teaching her daughter *by example, might I add*. Then to top it off, her hubby came home and told her how grateful he was to come home to a tidy, happy house with the smell of fresh laundry and home-made bread in the air. He felt like that's "the way it should be." In return to his thoughts, she felt gratitude to him for being so complimentary of her hard work with their family. They make a great tag-team if you ask me! Isn't that a picture-perfect setting?!

When she told me this I couldn't help but feel that awesome crappy feeling. You know what I"m talkin about.... the one that makes you feel like you can do sooooo much more. It kinda highlights the thing in your life that you need to work harder on, but in return, makes you a better person because you come out stronger. It made me feel that, but also I coudldn't help but be slightly jealous that her husband notices those things. I thought to myself.... "if my husband said things like that, maybe..." aw flip. come ON catharine! are you kidding me!? i had to stop my self mid-thought. I have never been an absolute awful house keeper, home-maker or any of the sort (which this post may lead you to believe), nor has kirk ever neglected me in ANYway ever, he does quite the opposite I'm sure you all know... the point is, we can always ALWAYS do more.... Just when you start feeling comfortable, the Lord in His smart ways will stretch you JUUUUST a bit farther for your own success and well being...

The smell of fresh laundry....Mmmmm.

The smell of Home-made bread, awwww yes.

The simple things in life.

SOooOoo along with many things I have learned from her, I committed myself to doing more. Granted, it's WAY easier to do the laundry when you own a washer and dryer (which we don't). It is also a lot easier to keep dishes out of the sink when you have a dishwasher, but excuses-excuses, right!? right. And I am happy to report that things have slowly changed in our humble little apt! I told Kirk to layoff the dishes and turn all the household duties over to me (he works so unbelievably hard...) and I hope he has felt a change in atmosphere around our home. I want everything to be perfect for him! I want him to be able to come home and feel happy, free, like a burden lifted, and to feel comfortable... like 'this is the way it's suppose to be' :)