Posted in FLYING and HGP

We just experienced our first camping excursion and we had a wonderful time.  We made some great family memories.  Of course I missed y'all but the funny thing is when you change your scenery and your surroundings, then somehow you forget about the computer, the emails, the blogs, the carpet that needs replaced and the endless tasks that need to be done around the house.  Time just tends to slow down even though you still have all the same responsibilities; everything seems slower and more peaceful.  I gained a newfound sense of appreciation for cleaning my shiny sink, making my bed and doing my swish & wipe toilet - lol.  It is funny what you miss and tend to take for granted until you have to heat the water before "shining the sink", "making the bed" means blowing up the once again flat air mattress and you know the ease of the "natural" loo –LOL. 

But really I enjoyed our short trip and wondered what made life more bearable out in the woods that we weren't doing at home because it definitely wasn't easier.  I mean honestly – we didn't argue, the kids didn't bicker, we enjoyed the tasks that had to be done and even liked the burnt "experiments" dad cooked on the campfire.  As we drove home, completely sleep deprived, I thought about how I could continue this appreciation for doing the tasks in my home and for keeping the harmony in my family. 

I think for me it is to relax a bit and not get soooo caught up on the specifics.  In the woods if we forgot something, we just made do.  If something didn't turn out right, we just shrugged our shoulders and moved on.  We had more of a "lets see what is over THAT hill" attitude.  We were waiting and looking for the next surprise God had in store for us.  Everything seemed like an adventure and I guess it was, especially in the eyes of a 6 year old who had never seen an inchworm.  I have decided that here at home, I need to ease up a bit in being "General Mom".  I realized that I do have good kids who have amazing imaginations and they just need to be allowed to "do" things their own way.  Yes, they need supervised and trained but I think in my house, I was getting too particular in the details and not looking or waiting for the surprises that my kids and dh can offer. 

I'm ready for our next adventure – how about you?  Are you looking for God's surprises?  Are you waiting to see what is over HIS next hill?  If not, it is time to ease up and relax just a bit and enjoy the scenery and surroundings in your own home.