The Gift of obedience

With a slight green ring in the middle of his precious blue eyes he stares at me and says, "Mom, I love you from here to the moon." He prays, "Dear Jesus, please Jesus, bless mom and dad so they don't get sick like brother and me this week." He is only four. I am in awe.

I was asked, no told to give up my job of teaching 9 years. I squirmed. I wiggled. I didn't want to. I like teaching other people's elementary aged children. I liked where I worked and whom I worked with and this would be hard to give up. I have never been the one who wanted to be a stay at home mom. I always worked. It was my priority and choice. An area I needed to give up control and give to God.

In my reluctant obedience I did. Oh, what a gift.

As I unwrap this present each day I discover a different gift inside: Bonding with my children, changes in my parenting, realizing what needs to be addressed, being able to love and support hubby the way God calls me to...to the way my sweet hubby deserves.

I am enjoying my gift. Thank you, Lord.

O Coffee! My Coffee!

If you understand the reference in my title above...well, then we are both well versed in literature.

There are really only two earthly delights that excite my taste buds, tickle my nose with giddiness and well, perhaps reign over me: Chocolate and Coffee. 

 I was 6 and my parents adored coffee as much as I do now. I was allowed to swallow the beautiful concoction of decaf with milk and sugar. Heaven! Strong, addicting. That was probably when I fell in love with coffee. 

Java served me well after nights of too much of a different beverage (not my finest moments), and no sleep, and lots of studying in college.

AND...then there was a certain store that offered all kinds of different mixes, flavorings...iced or hot.

 That's when I couldn't stop thinking about it. When my affair began. When the artist in me decided that my coffee should reflect my creative self. 

So I started with frothy, steamy coffee and added a myriad of different tastes. All with the help from that big chain that exists on every corner.

Chocolate, Hazelnut, both, just vanilla, or vanilla and white chocolate, Creme Brulee, pumpkin, cinnamon and chocolate...well, you get the idea.

Turns out my favorite is Hazelnut, or chocolate or sometimes both.  

 Did I mention the jolt as the extra bonus?
 Yeah, that is probably the secondary part of my addiction. 

"O Coffee, My Coffee!