:: i will say that my days have been pretty great lately. i've been packing up a picnic and heading out to enjoy the outdoors, parks, nature centers and local watering holes. i've been allowing more time for creative opportunities and i've been keeping the words from the mindful connection webcast from jennifer louden accessible, "there is nothing to do and no where to go." 

obviously, there is always something to do within the home, whether it is the laundry, dishes, preparing meals, cleaning, etc. and to be honest, i feel like i have a never ending list that i never manage to complete before another week of duties gets piled on. it has been exhausting. so for me, for my family, i needed to get out, get out of my house, stop thinking about all i have to do. 

as mothers we tend to take on everything ourselves. we tend to not take a break until our "work" is complete. initially, i felt guilty taking some time off, but now i need the time. and when i come back home, i have more to offer my family.

:: and while the chilly, rainy weather kept us inside, my daughter set out a picnic for us today. it was lovely to take a little break.