Housework really does pay!

Today was major straightening up the house day.  Yesterday I had playgroup and caught up on phone calls to friends and family.  Tomorrow is grocery shopping and hopefully a visit to some friends.  That left today for cleaning and making sure things were good for the next couple days.  While I was cleaning I found a dime, a nickel, 2 pennies and finally 2 quarters as I was finishing making up the bed.  When I told the kids I was getting rich cleaning the house they all wanted to pitch in:).  Too bad I was almost done!  They did help out, although they seem to get sidetracked when we're cleaning out the closets.  All those toys that they haven't seen in a long time are very fascinating! 
  Tonight as I was doing the dishes and putting Garrison to bed I started thinking about how much I've changed over the years.  As a teenager I didn't really like doing dishes and now I find it relaxing.  I didn't cook that often, but preferred baking.  Now I really enjoy both.  Laundry can be quite the workload, but when you have a little boy that you're teaching to find pairs of socks it can be a lot of fun!  I think my weakness is windows.  As I wash them the little ones walk behind me touching and smudging, so I kinda figure why bother doing it very often.  I'm sure glad Scott isn't really picky about them.  For now we've added the Christmas winter scene window clings and they seem to cover up the smudges.  I wonder if that means God will have me be a window washer in Heaven?  My mother-in-law and I have discussed that a couple times. Wondering what our jobs will be. I wouldn't mind being a baker.  There probably wouldn't be little ones sticking their hands in the batter or throwing flour or pulling on my skirt.  I think I might miss that part, although I do get a little put out sometimes when they shove 2 chairs into the space I need to stand in and mix the ingredients.  I do love watching them look through the window into the stove.  Tonight as the biscuits were baking Kiersten had hands running over the front trying to figure out how to grab one.  I love seeing her and the others so interested in what we're doing. 
  There is some teaching going on right now.  Scott is cutting wood with Elyssia and Caleb to make a small ark.  They're the only 2 still awake, due to the fact that Kiersten goes to bed early and Garrison hasn't taken an afternoon nap in several days. I'm a little sad to see him ending his naps, but I've been blessed that he's taken them this long.  He's 4 and Elyssia stopped taking them before she turned 2.  It doesn't mean I'll never get a nap though.  He and Elyssia can read books quietly or play with puzzles and other quiet toys while I get the other 2 down.
  So, the next 2 tasks are calling.  First I need to get the Christmas letter written.  I got the Christmas pic done today and will pick up the prints at Walmart tomorrow.  The last task before bedtime will be making choc crinkle cookie dough.  I'd like to take some to friends tomorrow and I'm sure my family will have no trouble eating the rest!  Tomorrow is the 1st day of December and "It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas..."