New Opportunities, Unified Stance and Finally Stuff Movies are Made of

 2020... hope...perfect vision...clarity.. a fresh start

All of the above are ways to describe this New Year's Day. Maybe it's because it has been 10 years since the start of a new decade, or maybe because I was knee deep in the chaos of many small children, but I do not recall there being such a big deal about the year in 2010. Social Media has blossomed enough to impact the sharing of ideas, perspectives, challenges, age, etc., that it is a bigger deal because the world is sharing on a bigger scale. No matter how you look at it, new beginnings are filled with incredible hope and anticipation. From a biblical standpoint, it also led leans toward having a deeper meaning. For now though, want to share the roller coaster of a day today turned out to be.
After sleeping till 7:40, (which is very late for me), I got up, made coffee, cleaned up the kitchen and reorganized the pantry. Yep folks, that is the crazy of me on a break from my jobs. I completed my Start Today journal, read an entire chapter of the Bible because it was just that good, and prayed over my kids. Truly a best case scenario start to my day.
Fast forward a few ho, and my mental picture of this incredible family bonding all changed. A text from my daughter't trainer came and we were off to meet her next project, a pony to ride/train at our house. The flurry of excitement spread to my parents next door meanwhile everyone else in my home went about their lazy day. I love my daughter enough to roll with the change of plans and enjoy the journey. Once back at home hubby calls a family meeting and it goes oh so swell. Like for real, the 1950's version of swell which is great. Remind me later to share what the final decision on management of daily housekeeping will look like because it is so hilarious and perfect. Best parenting tip of older kids: weekly family meetings and allowing the group to address problems creating solutions together with parents having final say.
However, I digress. The time comes ever so quickly for me to leave for church as I am part time staff and we have a worship/prayer service. Only two of my kids expected me h, help but hubby decided to tag along. What a pleasant surprise the second part turned out to be. Once the work was d, he and I got to participate in the service, which included us praying together. I am so grateful we were able to start this year doing that as a unified front, both on the same page.
You would think this is where the day would end. Coming home, relaxing and going to bed. It was after all 9:15 pm when we arrived home. But no, not in the Colbert household. Just when you think everything is straight and narrow, WHAM, the crazy hits ya. The clock turned 10:50. The sleepy began to set in and the awareness that other than kid errands I am free to do as I choose for 3 more days! Literally, not figuratively, the phone rings but I fumble the device and miss the call. Exactly 5 seconds later older daughter bursts up the stairs and states I simply must return the phone call. There in fact IS an animal eating it's way into my mother's room (they live next door). My youngest daughter is with her and too has confirmed the status. Out of kindness I do not wake my husband, but instead youngest most chivalrous son, oldest daughter, her friend AND myself trek over. We bring with us a small bat, flashlight, broom and of course a knife (youngest son executive decision). Upon inspection inside the house we do concur there is in fact an animal chewing directly underneath the bedroom, however it is NOT just under the carpet.
Various ideas were thrown out regarding the next step and it is clear there must be further investigation in order for the damsels in distress to rest. 4-person rescue team, I might readily accept the challenge. Mind you 2 teen girls are wearing shorts and sweatshirts, Chivalrous son wearing pants at least but a t-shirt. I am the only one with a coat AND long pants, though my footwear was sliders. He carefully meanders under the home and nervously requests someone to follow behind. I give him my coat for layering in the worst case scenario of an animal attack, armed with his knife, flashlight and broom, me carrying a phone (light enabled) and the bat. It got a bit dicey as we did in fact find the location of the creature which crawled into the insulation. Smacking it while it scurried away, us crawling hunched over and slow, the girls asking us to narrate what is happening, likely was a ridiculous sight. In the end, the clear decision to have hubby set up a trap instead of confrontation won out. This is where the story ends right? Nope, it ends with the 4 man crew convincing the damsels that it did NOT enter their house, is not in the duct work and they are safe to go to sleep. Yep... I do love my life, there is nothing boring about it, AND this too could ALL be yours someday. Well, just kidding about the last part.
SO, as an introspective per, what does this say about my year ahead? It WILL not be dull. It WILL all end just fine AND we will stand unified together along the way, ENDING in more blessing than ever before because we kept our attitude corrected. Don't get to that revelation based on my account of the day? Let me fill you in on a little secret. I know who wins in the REAL end and I am HIS child therefore I win too! Ain't life grand? Happy New Year! Welcome 2020, I have a feeling you will not disappoint.