I pulled the blanket over my cold body. Ashton pulled it off a little and whispered with loving eyes, "Mum, let's go eat breakfast." I couldn't resist his affectionate smile. "OK," I said. Before I got out of bed, he scrambled back onto the bed with two books in his hands. "Read to me, mum." As much as I wanted to start my morning routine (if there's any success everyday to have a routine), I couldn't bring myself to decline such a polite request. Here's how it went the moment I hit the morning...there's no stopping...one thing to another...

We read...
We prayed...

We ate breakfast...
We read some more...
We cooked. Chrisa stirred the soup and learned how much salt and seasoning to add while Ashton insisted to learn too...
We read again...this time all the children, all four surrounded mama for a long forgotten story, The Donkey Prince, a welcoming warm story of loving the person just they way they are...
We discussed on homosexuality...oh, what a big word for small people...
We ate again...
The children baked bread for dinner...three out of the four cramming over the kitchen counter to get the measurement right...some practical math in process...mama only hoped it turn out alright...
They all got busy with their work in their own corners...one learned Tagalog for the coming trip to Manila and collecting ideas for children's work there; one browsing through the Prayer Guidepost to learn how to pray more effectively and moaning in discomfort mostly of her unwellness; one was reading endlessly on the couch then played with the little one; and the little one...he was never done with exploring one thing after another...the entire living room was in (and still is) a creative mess...yes, it's messy because there is never lack of projects going on in the home, and creative, oh yes, certainly...one working on a board game of her own, one making his pictures, all travel logs reviewed and added...
They washed toys while I washed clothes...
We read, we wrote, we talked, we laughed...in between there were some bickering which mama hates, and the children know it...correcting behaviour is never easy and needs consistency...
Three stayed home to watch a show...

One went with mama to shop for utilities, our chance to talk...

We rode to the park, we played our hearts out...

We enjoyed the freshly baked bread...
We read the Bible, we talked, we prayed...we almost ended our day...they jumped on mama, kissed her goodnight, hugged her tight...I turned off the light...
Shh..."sleep, babies..."
Is mama's time with the Father now...I sat by the dim light and thanked God for the full day...a gift from heaven...
My day had been full...indeed my hands too, but it is all worth it because my heart is full too...as I reflect and realized that I've been kissed countless times, hugged very often, told "I love you, mama"...and I know this is my vocation...

What about "school"...hmm, do they need to be classify into subjects? We have no time to study. Everyday is so busy...we are busy learning, busy living, busy loving...and...
That's LIFE!

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, ESV)