Sunday Update: purpose, love, perspective and introspection

Today was the first full day with Joe gone. It was a day packed full of "stuff."

JOE UPDATE:

He spent the day in Miami (en route to Haiti) with my cousin AJ (who BTW was incredible, as she took Joe on an outing to a beach club and then fed him an amazing BBQ dinner, so she completely covered me for Father's Day - thanks AJ!!!)   http://www.joeinhaiti.blogspot.com/ 

BACK ON THE HOME FRONT:

We went to church this morning - we dropped of the boys at childcare and then my nieces sat with me... good sermon for Father's Day (wish Joe could have been here!) We then stopped at Starbucks for a coffee! 

I then decided it might be nice to give the girls a chance to shop a bit, given that won't be possible from here on out (due to my work schedule.) So I dropped then off at the mall (with "mom" approval of course!) and put the boys down for naptime. I was thinking I might be able to get some critical work stuff done before the week hits, but I really only had time to finish the bills before the kids woke up and it was time to head to the mall for pickup... OH WELL... :-)

NOTE:

There is a picture below of a "to do" list. I decided it might be good to have a list for the girls each day... they could choose what items they wanted to own and then get paid for helping out. There are the "required things" and then another list of "can do" things. So it's up to them how much $$ they earn. I know I needed help, but also wanted this to be an opportunity for them to earn some money.) So far it is working out great, as they can dictate their schedule (on some items) and it seems they are both more than happy not to procrastinate. Jennifer got up and 7am to fix Samuel breakfast, while Kendra actually watered some newly planted trees at around 8am!

Anyway - we enjoyed a long walk after dinner tonight and then both boys got baths... We are now all enjoying some much needed downtime.

Joe called and he is all organized and ready to catch his plane to Haiti in the morning. I pray this is a good experience, though I know from experience it will be hard for it not to be! These trips are filled with purpose, love, perspective and introspection. And maybe these 2 weeks will be that way for both of us...