It’s beginning to look as though we really are moving, with a nice high stack of labeled boxes piled in the side bedroom. Little Chalice has pink eye and ear infections. She greeted me with a hoarse cough, happy giggle and little otter dive in her crib when I went to get her up this morning. She complied with my administration of eye drops and antibiotic with little protest. The only thing to rumple her good-natured spirits was parting with her daddy and big brother as they marched out the door to church and she was left to wave good-bye in her pajama shirt, diaper and slippers.

This peculiar Sunday morning I’m reminded of one of the reasons I have 2 1/2 small children and have been busily working on my degree. With some of the uncharacteristic extra time I had this morning, I flipped through the pages of a scrapbook Heidi and Eden made for me two Christmases ago. I read their touching letters and my eyes scanned the pictures of happy memories and fun-filled outings with and without me. It didn’t take long for the effects of such nostalgia-producing activity to fill my eyes with tears and my heart with longings to make more memories with these dear loved ones. The comfort of thinking of Seth’s upcoming first visit out here and Eden’s visit (the middle of next month–during baby time) only made the tears come more freely.

I was reminded of a time in our first year of marriage when David came home from work to a tearful wife. He soon saw the quilt of wedding pictures arrayed on the floor near my partially completed wedding scrapbook and practically forbade me to work on such activities alone. Of late, I am never alone. Joel chatters on about all sorts of things, especially Thomas the train, Grammy and Michael, Chalice and Daddy. Joel is making less sense to me as he tries to string many more words together and much faster than before. Even when both kids are down for their naps, I am accompanied by Chemistry studies, which keep my mind quite occupied in a realm outside my comfort zone. My normal days afford me no time to feel homesick. But this morning is a good reminder. Each time a stranger tells me, “YOU have your hands full!” I can be quite grateful for full hands and a full plate as I plod through life. My little companions and my husband are a joy and blessing each day.