After I publish something like the post yesterday, I need a break. A brain break. Enter: Sundays.
Sundays remain my favorite day of the week. We have a wonderful church, where our friends have become our family.
Our pastor read this quote today, and it's just so good. And also convicting.
"The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them." -Thomas MertonFootball is on. All day. I just love it.
I'm not good at relaxing. My dad instilled in me a good work ethic, and my mom gave me the desire to have a tidy home. So, I rarely rest during the week, but allow myself to do so on Sundays. I'm really trying to learn the discipline and value of rest.
We have breakfast food for lunch after church, and usually have my sweet cousin and her husband over as well.
Then everyone usually half sleep/half watches whomever is playing. Unless it's the Broncos or Packers, then we all stay awake and yell.
Dinner is simple. Tonight's was bell peppers and cucumbers with hummus, Mary's Organic Crackers (Gluten Free!), and grapes. This allows me to continue resting Sunday evening and plan for the following week.
Tonight we finished the last chapter of Little House in the Big Woods. It was my favorite growing up, maybe second to Farmer Boy, the third book in the same series. I always identified more with boys growing up, and Almanzo's story resonated with me. If you haven't read these books, I can't recommend them enough. They are geared more for children aged 6 and up or so, but even Miles requests "Lil House Beegggg Woooos" at night.
Oh Miles. He's so precious. Tonight while I was reading he asked if I would take my bun down so he could play with my hair. Then he said, out of the blue "you my best Mama."
People misunderstand Miles at times. He's a classic introvert, even at 2. He needs alone time. He is quiet in social situations and needs a good 10 minutes before he warms up to a big crowd, even if it's filled with people he knows. So he's sometimes considered aloof or unfriendly. But he's not actually. He's just reserved. And we are learning to allow our children to be who they truly are. This doesn't mean that he is allowed to be rude. But he doesn't have to hand out hugs and join the party until he's ready to.
Here he is a year ago. I miss his longer hair...
He's delightful and charming and has the most irresistible eyes. He's turning 3 in February, and I can say that 2's/3's are my favorite ages. They are also the hardest (so far) but I love to see a baby become their own person. I love witnessing them discover their autonomy. With this comes rebellion. And Miles is rebellious. But there's something about rebellion that I like. Perhaps because I have my own rebellious side, but I love when people aren't passive and silent. It's hard when raising a child, but these kinds of people are often some of the greatest leaders. These people are the ones who question the authority and social norms and spearhead positive change. They're difficult to parent. I was a lot of work for my parents growing up. But I would prefer for my child to fight against me over staying silent and building resentment, or never voicing what they really think about things.
Anyhow, I'm about to settle in for the last game of the night with some Jeni's ice cream that was a gift from our friends who visited last week. Jeni's is this incredible little ice cream shop that uses natural ingredients and cream from grass-fed cows. There are shops beginning to pop up all over the country, hopefully near you! Needless to say, it's the best around, and much healthier than most yogurt shops. I always thought the "ice cream" from those shops tasted a bit plastic-y, and this article by Food Babe helps to explain why.
I hope your Sunday was full of rest, love, and some really, really good ice cream.
live well. be well.
