Today

I woke up this morning with the thought of being involved in every moment of today. I haven't gotten dressed yet. Or made my bed. Or brushed my teeth. So, by all measurable American standards, I'm failing miserably so far. But I'm pretty sure it was a noble thought nonetheless. I'm beginning to think that this is the key to just about everything, and this is the way God wants us to live our lives, every minute of every day; and, thus, why it's so darn difficult to do. I've yet to figure out exactly how to do that and what that's supposed to look like in my every day life. But I think I'm onto something, and when I figure out all those details, I'll let you know what I find out.

Now, usually when you hear someone talking about this kind of stuff, it's in some context of getting you to be more productive. Perform better. Do more stuff. Contribute more. It can come across as some kind of heavy handed manipulation tactic.

I'm not talking about any of that.

No, what I'm speaking of is so much simpler. Almost, too simple. So simple that we might just miss it if we're not careful.

What I am talking about is being more attentive to those around you, whom God has given you. To whom you've been given. Staying connected. Tuned in. Living in the moment. Listening to the people who are talking to you. Looking them in the eye. Not daydreaming about where you'd rather be or what you'd rather be doing, but being connected with where you are and appreciating it. Appreciating them.

The God of the Bible is known as the Great I Am; not I Was or I Will Be. But I Am. I Is. I Be. Today. Here. Now. I guess this is why people with terminal illnesses often obtain such a clear, razor sharp perspective. They know their time is limited. Time is not a someday or one day, because someday and one day are not promised to them. What they know for certain is that today belongs to them. Today is what they have. And I think that this is where God lives.

Today. I will hear God's voice and not harden my heart.

Today. The day God has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Be. Live. Breath. Connect. Laugh. Love.

Now, I'm gonna go brush my teeth.

...So I think it must be true - that when you pray, you are not starting the conversation from scratch, just remembering to plug back into a conversation that's always in progress.--Anne Lamott, Plan B

What are some of the things you do to help yourself stay connected? Tuned in? Please share.

In Summary...

My prolonged break from blogging was purely unintentional. There's been so much going on, blogging has honestly been the last thing on my mind.

• With that said, I have really missed it, and I think I may be ready to pick it back up again.
• My apologies to the two readers who have been eagerly anticipating my return! I promise I will make it worth the wait.
• I've picked up a new hobby. I think it's fair to say that I'm now addicted. I'm even proselytizing to others. Want to know what it is? I swore I would never become one of these ladies. Oh, sweet irony.
• I honestly have no idea where I am at spiritually. This is, hands down, the CRAZIEST SEASON I've ever lived through, in my ENTIRE LIFE. No exaggeration here. I really can't even put into words what I'm going through. EVERYTHING that I've been so certain about is now a great big ol' question mark. I have yet to determine whether or not that's a good thing. Time will be the tell.
• As the most bodacious philos-o-phizer of ancient Greece once said, "As for me, all I know is that I know nothing."

• After 10 months, we FINALLY got tired of Abigail sharing our room. She now has the girls' former room, all to herself. It's been so nice to be able to talk to my husband at night as we're going to sleep, use the bathroom, breath, or turn on a light if we need to do something very optional and nonessential, you know, such as, SEE WHERE WE'RE GOING! Needless to say, Ren and I are very happy with the current dispensation of Buckland children.

• We transformed our chaotic hodgepodge of a playroom upstairs into the girls' new bedroom. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. We chose the girls' two favorite colors: Isabel's is red; Jo's is pink. It's kind of Valentines-y. It basically looks like we hired Cupid as our interior decorator. It's crazy, but very cute, I think. And the girls absolutely love it. They even have their own bathroom now. It's not completely done yet. It still needs a few finishing touches. But we're very happy with the way it's coming together.
  
• After getting our sweet couch and fixing up the kids' rooms, I currently don't despise my house. Huh. Who woulda thought?
  
• I am so proud of my husband. He's moving and shaking over at Connected Technologies. He's been busy. But in this economic climate, busy is good. We are very thankful for him. He's a hard worker.
• Since January, we've dealt with our share of common illnesses, vomitting, molluscum, and head lice. It's only May, people. The lesson we've learned through all this: Kids are nasty.
  
• Isabel finishes Kindergarten in less than 3 weeks. I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by!
• We are thrilled that Jo will be going to the same Pre-K this Fall that Isabel was able to attend. We are all so excited about this. This is a total miracle, thanks to God's grace and provision, and two very sweet and generous grandparents! It's a blessing that we didn't even expect or ask for.
• My baby sister, Gina, is graduating in two weeks as VALEDICTORIAN of Apalachee High School!!!! We are all so proud of her. She totally rocks.
• Abigail turns one on June 6. Are you even kidding me?!?!
• One thing I do know for certain - Our friends and family are some of the most amazing people in the whole world. Hopefully one day we'll actually be able to appropriately express how much we love and appreciate all of them.
  
• I really love my family and friends. The ones nearby and far away. Every single, last, crazy, gloriously odd one of them.