Mugs & Muffins

Mugs & Muffins, Poplin Party, Pacey Pie, Pj's & Popcorn, Coffee Cozies...do you see a pattern here? I am a bit obsessed with Alliteration (just googled to find that out). Planning things, whether it be parties, play dates, family activities, anything is what I love. It excites me to have plans, little scribbles filling our calendar, and makes me anxious when there's free time.











One of the first things I do when planning is think of a name, even if I am the only one who knows it, everything has a name. Mugs & Muffins has been around for a while and I've used that term before but today was different. As you know much of my inspiration comes from the Enjoying the Small Things blog; she amazes me and challenges me to fulfil God's plan for my life right now. She has a group of friends and they get together for coffee and breakfast all the time. The way she describes it is magical, mamas sharing stories, little ones playing dress up, building blocks and loving life. Ahhh, now that seems wonderful to me.

(picture by Kelle Hampton)

In true Nicole style I said, "yes let's do it", gave it a name and planned it! This morning we had a Mugs & Muffins with five moms, ten kids, lots of coffee, homemade muffins (which I slightly regretted, they weren't very sweet), bubbles and a sandbox. It was just as I had read in the blog, mamas sharing stories, asking questions, laughing while the little ones played, chased and got dirty.














Mugs & Muffins...so successfully sweet!

As Planned

Planning is a large part of my life. I like to plan, feel secure when planned, enjoy looking forward to plans and get filled up when things go as planned. Since a little girl I have planned my whole life out; from my occupation to how many kids. I couldn't wait to grow up and live life as planned.

Funny how things work out sometimes. Much of what I planned has happened; I live close to my family, married my best friend, God is the center of our life, have amazing friends and I had my first child at age 23. However lots of things are different; I didn't become a teacher, I haven't been a stay at home mom, I don't live in the city and I definitely don't have little girls decked out in pink.

As I find myself smack dab in the middle of a huge unplanned transition I realize although plans are wonderful and many times necessary, experiencing something unplanned can be great too. For the past 5 years I have worked in ministry and loved it all. Truly I have had a job I absolutely loved and got to use so many of my gifts to serve God and others. In one week though I will leave that for a completely unknown, scary yet exciting new season of life. For a short time I will be a stay at home mom, this fall I will get to be a teacher and who knows maybe a baby girl is even in the plans.

Continue to plan, dream and enjoy life, all of it.