"Bookshelves are for books"

Tuesday was full of epiphanies.

In between calming a cranky baby, breaking up fights between Frick (Rose) and Frack (Skye), and oh yeah, homeschooling, I realized many things.

One: Bookshelves are for books.

My dh said that to me a day or so ago. Lightbulb moment! I had packed away boxes and boxes of books, trying to make our bookshelves look less cluttered (or something) for our move. Yet all over the house were flotsam and jetsam of toys and learning manipulatives. THAT is the eyesore. Books on the bookshelf look appropriate. Polly Pocket shoes in every nook and cranny do not.

So I spent much of yesterday UNpacking the books (oh how I had missed you, friends!) and placing them back on the shelves, as eye-pleasingly as I could. This is definitely a work in progress. As soon as I am done, all but the minimun of toy and homeschool clutter will be packed away. So much of it was out "just in case." I mean, if I haven't used that 12 tape set of Intensive Spanish in the four years I've had it, am I really going to need it in the next six months?? Ditto the pattern blocks, most of the puzzles and board games, the yarn, the fabric stash...well, maybe I won't go THAT far.

Two: My 6yo is special.

I hate to use that term. And I don't mean to say that my other children aren't wonderful and special in their own right. But have you ever known a child who just seemed especially pure and graced by God in some special way? Heh, maybe it's just in comparison to her more "prickly" sisters, but Jane seems different. She carries her holy cards around, she prays on her own at night without prompting, her typical answer to a jab by her sisters is a concern for the other person, and just yesterday she told me sweetly, "I often ask God at night to forgive my sins."

I pray that I don't mess her up somehow.

Final: I am SO LUCKY.

Some people very near and dear to me are acting like, well, I can't even say what they are acting like and remain charitable. The situation is disintigrating, and I don't know what to do, how to help. It's ugly, and a bit scary. Yet because my dh/children/home are not directly involved (yet, lol), I can step back... breathe deep ... and know I am the luckiest woman alive to have a sweet husband, five vibrant and exciting children, and a roof over my head.

Did you know I have running water that comes right up to my pipes and out a faucet? Not only that, the water pressure is fabulous. I have a washer that agitates clothes for me! A local market (or 12) that has all manner of food for me. I can turn a dial and my house gets warmer! And thanks to the wonder of the internet, I can chat with friends all over the globe at any time of day, dear friends who pray for me and mine, and watch LOST every night with my sweetie. Bliss, I tell ya.

Pure Bliss.