Today I stopped my life! It was AWSOME!

It started when Alicia called from BYU to tell me it was snowing. She was bitter, I was jealous. I sat down on my front porch to talk to her. (I love my front porch, I always dream of spending time on it. Sipping hot chocolate, reading a book, feeling peaceful.) Then Alyssa and Lynnsi ask if they could go across the street and play on the bleachers at Kino? I thought, as long as I am out here, why not. Then Austen came out to play with his car. Soon Trent came out to put on his shoes to go to work, and Russ came home from work and took him. Annie was making pumpkin bread for the ward party and I sat.

An hour went by and I was still sitting. A neighbor stopped by and talked for a while. The girls came home from Kino. I was still sitting. The mail woman came and brought the mail. Do you see it on the bench? It was more work to put in the pile of work that is in my shop that should have been done weeks ago. I let it sit with me on the porch. Annie left to go to a play at Heritage AND CAME BACK! Her Carpool said " Your Mom is still on the porch!"

Life has been very stressful lately. Alyssa and Austen, our neighbors, came to live with us. Alyssa has been a part of our family for many years. We have always loved her and considered her one of the fam. Now we are loving Austen her brother just as much. My life has been filled with CPS, Detectives, police, attorneys, doctors, schools, the list can go on and on. They are worth every minute I spend but, my stress level has never been like this before. So today I sat.

When I realized how long I had been outside, I thought I should go in. So I got up and opened the front door....the house needs to be cleaned, laundry, work, responsibilities....I went back outside and sat down. I have a good life. My kids are safe and happy. My husband works hard and supports me with my craziness. I am very lucky. My stress level is dropping by the hour. A few more hours and I will be ready to face the week ahead.

I am thinking I need a bigger porch. It could go along the whole front of my house. White posts. Maybe a table and chairs. I could invite everyone I love to come sit with me. Ah, the dream. For today, this is just fine!