simplicity

this week has been full, to say the least. but, out of all that fulness i took away several quality memories that will last forever. several were made with Carly on Tuesday, but the one that sticks out the most happened on Wednesday.

Wednesday my mom and I shopped all day for Madi's birthday. okay okay, not all day, but most of it. We ran into Walmart (we never go there) to pick up some much needed groceries and random stuff. I remembered that Patrick had asked for me to switch his toothpaste since he (FINALLY) realized the kind he always used didn't work so great. So, i headed to the toothpaste aisle to get him toothpaste and me a new toothbrush. Then, i got an idea. I was going to get good toothpaste AND other things to see if it helpedwith Patrick's teeth. I got him toothpaste, a battery operated toothbrush, floss (the kind on sticks so you don't have to wrap it around your finger), and this really good mouthwash that not only cleans, but restores minerals and enamal (everyone should try it).

well, i gave it all to him that night. Friends, he had NEVER had a battery operated toothbrush before. Honestly, when i showed him, he was like, "okay, i'll try it." it came out sounding like i was forcing him. haha... a few hours later, i'm brushing my teeth and my little sister was standing in the bathroom talking to us (yes, we were pulling a community bathroom time that night). Patrick was getting all ready to brush his teeth... he had to get it out of the package, so that took a little while (he doesn't believe in gently taking packages off, so it normally takes longer). anyways, my dad walks around the corner just as he stick it in his mouth.

you should have seen Patrick's face. He just started laughing like a five year old on Christmas morning. it was so great! my dad's face lit up and Madi started giggling. I tell you, Patrick turned back into a five year old for the next 20 minutes while he cherished the toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash. Afterward, he just kept rubbing his tongue over his teeth. "it's so clean," he kept saying.

i was reminded to keep it simple. to love the little things in life. to thrive on seemingly insignificant things. thank you, Lord, for automatic toothbrushes and family and a husband that can still love simple pleasures.

i was then reminded by my sweet friend who lives across the ocean, that it is our faithfulness that counts. nothing else. we are faithful to God, because He has been more than faithful to us. We are faithful to God, because we desire to see Him glorified. We are faithful to God, because we know we do not deserve what we have. so we live simply, by faith....

thank you, dear husband, for reminding me of simple joys, even though you don't know you did.
thank you, sweet friend, for posting pictures of my favorite place and people and for reminding me that all I have is plenty. All I need is Jesus.