>Here in Pike Paradise it is not as loud as most would suppose, with 6 kids, a dog, a couple cats, some kind of lizard/dragon, a grouchy momma and a tired daddy. We have loud moments….when the washer is off balance, the math isn’t finished, the dishes are stacked, the tvs are on, daddy is coming in from work and momma can’t find her purse, but mostly not so loud. I am a momma that requires a level of peace and quiet, this is not totally obscure in a large family, it is just not always found in the most easily thought of places. I find quiet in the kitchen chopping onions, no one wants to come in the kitchen, I might give them a job at supper time. I find quiet at the dinner table full of all 8 of us, usually everyone is getting along for a minute and I can go to a place in my thoughts where gratitude lives. I can find quiet while I fold laundry, the sweet smell of fabric softener and the warmth of fresh towels is a place that I feel peaceful. I find quiet on Sunday mornings when I sit in the far right row with the kids taking communion remembering what the Lord did for me. I find quiet even when it is crazy and laughing or crying and fussing, because in the depth of my soul I know that there is a peace in this house that I must NEVER take for granted. I can not take for granted the peace when I am ranting (yes I rant like some take vitamins, once or twice a day just in case so no one gets out of line). I can not take for granted the peace we have in this home when I am watching the evening news and see there are so many who are not safe or loved and that there story has not turned out so nice as mine. I can not take for granted peace when I look at the picture of my friends sweet soldier son with his arm wrapped around me in a sweet embrace for a short visit home. I will not take for granted peace when I am chopping onions or heating left overs, because we get to eat. I must remember that peace is a gift, it isn’t found or earned, or deserved, or obtainable outside of myself or because of anyone else. Peace will be felt and gratitude will be given over flowing today in our home with so much going on.
These are my original thoughts posted with all sorts of funnies, hurts, happies
at http://www.himhimthem.blogspot.com please honor that they are owned by myself (Suzanne Pike) and don’t share them without attributing where they are found and who they came from in the material you share.

>I used to look forward to the days off, where I had nothing to do. I longed for long cozy days (code for staying in PJ-cozies). Now I am adjusting and appreciating long moments of free time with my kids, a few hours straight to read good books and review some math while washing laundry. As my babies are becoming pre-teens and teens I find that my greatest moments of peace are found when the family is being loud in one spot playing a game or working in the home. Quiet is no longer defined as nothing to do, but instead things to do together.
Today my story is one of deep gratitude for the ability to change with the seasons of life. As I find my footing in all the roles I am in-Mother of Teenagers so close to adult life, Mother of Pre-Teens genetically the same but so different and still so amazing, mother to an amazing spunky 8 year old who has found her way to second grade reading and math like a cheer leader in a nail biting game and finally Mommy of a pre–schooler for the last time in this season of my life, in just a few short months this last baby will begin Kindergarten in our homeschool, I am overwhelmed with feelings about that. I find craziness that in addition to being a momma I am a wife, a daughter with my mom living with us, an employee, a friend to amazing women of all sorts, a homeschool teacher. I like to dance and read and sleep, I enjoy rock and country, so many roles and I am finding rest and peace moving fluently from one to the other and enjoying the moment. No more are the long days in pajamas with a house full of small kids who only need stories and PB&J, now are the days of cheerleading, Honor Society, heart to heart talks, Choir, Camp, swimming parties, makeup, purses, drivers licenses and college choices. I find peace in the moments, each one I will embrace.
That is my story today, letting the seasons change in my life without resistance but instead with hope and a renewed energy.