Finally.  It’s quiet.  And I’m alone.  The kids had a late nap today, and were therefore wide awake at bed time, and at 9, and at 10, and at 10:30.  They’ve finally given up.  Marshall’s working in the ED tonight, so there’s no TV on.  The dogs have settled down in their beds.  So…it’s quiet…finally.  (Have I mentioned that I’m glad to finally have some peace and quiet?)

We had a delightful, not quiet Christmas!  It was loud and crazy and fun!  Tucker was really into it this year for the first time.  I don’t think Emmie really knew what was going on.  But she did really well, considering the strange schedule we’ve been keeping as of late.  I love holidays and breaks, but they wreak havoc on schedules and routines! 

But now…it’s all over.  It looks like Santa Claus threw up Christmas Spirit all over our house.  (Not that it was clean before, but now it’s a terrible mess!)  And it’s supposed to be on the market next week.  Ha!  That’s not going to happen.  Although I did get a “coupon” for maid service to come in and clean.  Of course, I have to move all the crap out of the way before they can clean.  I’ve been trying.  Really.  I have been.  I’ve already taken home 2 van loads of stuff to store in my dad’s building.  And he came and got another truck full!  But to look at it, you can’t tell that I’ve made any progress.  What we need is for some one to whisk away the kids for a few days so that we could actually get something accomplished!  There is so much stuff every where you look!  We got a sitter for a few hours today so that Marshall and I could have a little lunch date.  She said of the mess, “Well, now I don’t have to worry about messing anything up!”  🙂 

Oh, well…there’s no way I’m going to be able to clean it all up tonight, so I’m just going to enjoy the quiet.  The still and quiet.  All day long I’ve had an old Steven Curtis Chapman song in my mind.  I guess maybe I should take these words to heart:

Be still and know that He is God.  Be still and know that He is holy.  Be still, O restless soul of mine.  Bow before the Prince of Peace.  Let the noise and clamor cease.  Be still.

Be still and know that He is God.  Be still and know that He is faithful.  Consider all that he has done.  Stand in awe and be amazed.  And know that he will never change.  Be still.

Be still and know that He is God.  Be still and know that He’s our Father.  Come rest your head upon his breast.  Listen to the rhythm of his unfailing heart of love beating for his little ones, calling each of us to come.  Be still.