Am I Dreaming?

I have recently experienced a sudden increase in productivity related to household tasks: cleaning, organizing, and even (*gasp*) decorating. It reminds me of the times when I was 8-9 months pregnant and wildly preparing the house for a new arrival--I always got so much done in those "nesting" months.

My behavior now seems almost like "reverse nesting." I have weaned my baby, she's more or less sleeping through the night, and I feel less tied down. As lovely as it is to have a little baby in our home, that first year of childcare is so exhausting. A lot of the time I felt like an overworked, under-fueled machine, barely functional enough to keep the baby and other children alive.

Now that Paula has gained more independence (like walking!) she requires a different kind of attention, but overall my responsibilities seem easier. I feel a lot more human and a little more ambitious--I'm ready to tackle some of the clutter and dust piled up during the past year. Time to finally hang up some curtains, switch out some furniture, pack away the baby stuff, and purge the closet (at last my body has settled on a pants size).

I'm sure it is a short-lived phase. But it's helping my house look a little prettier, while it lasts.

family room

front living room

I have also recently experienced an increase in cello students. A few months after we moved to Timnath, I picked up three students. Two of those students are still in my studio, and now I've added nine more. I must be out of my mind, allowing this small business to blossom out of the zoo that is my house, but somehow it is working out, and bringing me a huge measure of joy and satisfaction. As if I didn't get enough of that from church service, orchestra, and the residents at my zoo, right?

As I come up on the thirty-year mark of my life, I feel so grateful for all I've been given and all who have helped me get to where I am. I really am living my dream.