Friday, July 16, 2010

Morning

Curtis and I lift our heads off the pillow and glance at the alarm clock. It's six o'clock. Beckham is rapidly pacing around the house and his nails are clicking on the floor so loudly that he might wake up the kids. He wanted out. Now. Poor guy. We must have forgotten to let him out one last time before bed. Curt gets up and starts his day.

I lay in bed until Annabeth starts crying at 6:45. My running clothes are at the end of my bed and I remember all the Chinese food I ate last night. It's time to pay for my sins. I stretch in the dining room and it feels so nice that I think stretching must be God's gift to people who have to exercise.

I take a different route today. This is usually determined by the direction in which I see other people running. Not wanting to pass or, more likely, be passed, I go the opposite way. I see a guy who looks like he fell into the bayou. No, he's just completely soaked with sweat. Oh my word, how long do you have to run to achieve such a thing?

A new trail has been paved and it's a two mile route. This is my fourth straight day of running without getting a side stitch, so I give it a try. I've just been sticking with a mile because it's quicker and my body hurts less. I see the entire girls and boys cross country teams from the local high school arrive. I thank God that they're going a different way. They can probably tell I'm a wannabe. Not that I should care.

I walk in the front door, surely looking and smelling like I, too, fell in the bayou. Annabeth is happy to see me. She's wearing her zebra striped, pink ruffled pajamas and carrying a snack cup with stale Cheerios and Goldfish. There's a little doll tucked under one arm. Her hair is down in her eyes and I sweep it to the side. She wanders over to her Fisher Price Learning Home and plays happily. She is growing into her girlhood more and more each day.

Jackson is wearing his Superman Underoos. He has a fresh haircut and looks so handsome. Of course, he doesn't like to be told that. He's such a boy. He doesn't stop moving from one piece of furniture or counter top to another - climbing, bouncing, crashing, and making the appropriate sound effects.

I head to the shower and make the water as cold as I can stand it. Annabeth wanders into the bathroom and kisses the glass shower door. She takes a seat on the bath mat with her doll and her snack. She grabs my hairbrush and runs it through her hair.

I need to go to the grocery store, but thankfully we still have milk and bread. I make wheat toast for all of us. Jackson says he doesn't want any, but I know that as soon as I sit down to eat he will change his mind. So I make him a piece. He wants it with strawberry jelly. We hug and kiss Curtis goodbye, wishing him a good day. The three of us sit at the table and I've got my all-important tea at my right hand. My Daily Light is opened up to July 16.

Jackson reaches his limit of being able to sit in his chair. He bounces into the living room and climbs on a chair. His little frame is looking so much like a big boy's. I look at Annabeth in her high chair and soak up her good mood. She is becoming a little girl and she loves it. I love it.

I'm overwhelmed by the thought that the glory of God is present in my home this morning.

36 comments:

Living day by day for Jesus said...

Precious! It is so good when we just enjoy the daily blessings God sets before us, whatever they may be! Have a fabulous day!

Melissa said...

Simple and beautiful, the gifts God gives us. So glad you've had time to relish yours this morning.

shana said...

i hope your day stays this fabulous until the end . . . blessings!
shana

The Sotos said...

Glad you are having a great morning! Can you send some motivation my way to go running in the morning? Clothes on the bed...that is a good idea! Hope the rest of the day is as good as your morning!

Lauren said...

I bet you'll be so happy you wrote all that down 10 years from now. Sweet and happy home.

Katie said...

What a sweet glimpse into your morning. You remind me, I am going to start looking for a kitchen set as well. My baby girl is only one week behind Annebeth so you know, girls rock.

Jenny said...

What a beautiful portrait of your family home. You are a blessed lady, and your children are just as blessed!

Thanks for the peek inside your happy home!

Dionna said...

This is so beautiful. You have such a gift for using your words to totally capture a moment and image in my mind (the reader's mind.) You will treasure this "snapshot" some day as you reread your morning.

Jamie said...

you should have titled this "Good Morning!" What a great start to the day. I hope you have a wonderful weekend to follow :)

E said...

I love that children remind us of God's love for us! Have a great weekend. :)

wmcswain said...

What a sweet narrative and the beginning to a blessed day.

Bobbie said...

What a perfect morning! It sounds like you have a great start to a great weekend. We're off to Galveston for my '40th' High School reunion and I can't wait!!! Some arrived last night and the pictures are already landing on FB. Oh, my forty years--REALLY?!?!

I hope Melissa is still in town and you have more fun times. Take lots of pictures!

Fran said...

So beautiful!

Mary H. said...

What a blessing! Thanks for reminding me of mine today.

Lacie said...

Sounds like such a lovely morning.

What kind of tea do you like, Amanda?

Brittney said...

How precious was this post! God is so good! :)

Colleen said...

Sometimes it is nice to just revel in an ordinary day! I hope that you have a gajillion more mornings like this one!

Kiki said...

Good for you, 2 miles! I can't wait to be able to run again. Or walk without aching.

What a precious post.

Marc and Charity said...

A lovely glimpse into your morning. I'm so sad when I read about your running. Not sure if this back will ever heal!! Argh!

Nancy Mon said...

This really touched my soul. Thanks for sharing. I need to pull out my Daily Light and start using it again.

McClure Family said...

amanda,
reading this brought me to tears...i guess because my mornings are so, so similar...and i am so thankful for the simplicity of life at this stage...even though none of it is easy, it is a special stage we are in! loved seeing you today!

Kim said...

How precious is that!

Spicy Magnolia said...

That it is! We are so abundantly blessed, aren't we? Love to you and yours this weekend!

His Jules said...

such a sweet post!! Such a GREAT GOD!!

Monica said...

For reasons I can't explain, this is my favorite post. Possibly ever.

Spicy Magnolia said...

It's me again. :)

As I happened to come across this poem again by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, I was reminded of your post. I think you went barefoot this morning. :)

Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.

Sadie said...

What a great morning! Lucky you to get to sleep in till 6am!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

Simple and profound. God's glory is everywhere, when we take the time to look up.

(I loved this slice of your morning. It seems so ordinary now, but I bet you'll read it next year and be amazed at the details you've already forgotten.)

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful! So simple and yet, so real.

Susy said...

sounds great!

psm260 said...

That was beautiful.

Pam

AKat said...

This is one of my favorites of your posts. What a lovely way to capture a beautiful morning!

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Now THIS is a powerful post Amanda! :) I just love hearing about how God is PRESENT daily in your life....and how you see Him as a daily PRESENT in your life! Thanks for sharing your early morning hours. So refreshing!

Marilyn...in Mississippi

Lauren Delaine said...

This post just made me all kinds of happy!

annalee said...

what sweet moments in the everyday.

katiegfromtennessee said...

That is a good morning:)

Blessings:)