the only one home today

he's the only one home.

today. officially. [finally]. the christmas-winter break is over. 

no more vacationing. no more snowday-ing. 

no more sleeping in and staying up late.

EV-ER-Y-ONE is back at school this morning: college kids, high schoolers and the 4th grader too!

the morning is quiet. 

the house is still. 

the woman is grateful.

it's not that i don't love having them around -- gosh, no -- i do! and i'll be the first to miss it something fierce when they truly are all gone.

but there is a need for us to have our children well occupied. i don't mean crazy-busy and always-on-the-go ... but consistent employment. something fruitful.

our kids--actually, all of us--require structure and responsibility--a job or school or both.

how lovely it is to have time off and time away, but how life-giving it is to have purpose and a plan and something in production.

we rest and reset during these measured vacations, but we grow and gain character in our meaningful occupations. 

both seasons, necessary.

kiddos--it's been an amazing month with all of you home--absolutely wonderful, in fact--but, dear ones, it's time! i love you.

"whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..." ~ colossians 3:23

 (unless you're the dog--only then are you allowed to stay home and lay about in the kitchen).

and the kitchen is clean!