School's Out!

School is finally out for spring break. I get to sleep in--wahoo! And the good news is that my children like to sleep in too.

Being that it was a special day, I decided to linger and let the kids play with their friends after school. The weather was beautiful, as were the children as they performed all their tricks on the structure. "Look at this mom! Look at this I'm upside down!" They hollered, from dangling positions that left me breathless.

The puddles were shallow pools that beckoned youngsters to wade through the freshness of spring. Nathaniel in his winter boots followed along splish splashing and giggling in what may be the first spring he remembers--or perhaps the second. I stood in the sunlight breathing it in, enjoying these moments while the kids are still young, still carefree, and still soiling laundry like each pair of pants is a new roll of Bounty.

I love everything about spring: the smell of water in the air, the sounds of water trickling all around, and the way each crystal bows then dissapates for yet another year.

I suppose I enjoyed it all too much today, because once again supermom goofed up. In all the joy, Maddy and Graham each forgot their backpack on the playground. Of all the days I chose to screw up, the last day of school is not the best choice. Argh!

Schools out, the playgrounds empty, and Barbie sits alone with the Ninja Turtles wondering when Momma's coming back to pick them up. A 15 minute drive both there and back is not all that appealing when you've finally put your feet up for a week of hibernation. Thankfully we've recently met a family that lives fairly close to the school, so I decided to swallow my pride, slap on a dunce hat and give them a call.

I'm so warmed by the reaction of this family and their eagerness to help me out. Without missing a beat, the dad said he'd head right over there and pick them up. Isn't that nice? I hope that in return God gives me an opportunity to serve.

That's one more thing that I love about spring. You finally climb out of your cave, give your arms a good stretch and begin to reach out to those around you once again. God is good. Amen?