Since we are on the last week of swim lessons for the summer, and because I am just so proud of my kiddos… I decided it was “reward time”!!! 🙂  So I bought myself a Grande Vanilla Soy Latte at Starbucks!!  Oh! You thought I was going to reward THEM, didn’t you! My mistake…I should have clarified.  I meant, a reward for ME!

When you think about it, I did have to get them up and ready super early every single morning, I had to track down run-away flip flops and suit bottoms every single morning…while my “helpers” were busy fighting with each other.  I had to cram them, along with their towels, snacks and waters all in the car and seat belt them in, peal down the driveway without running anything or anyone over AND actually get them there on time!  Phew!!  That’s hard work, right?   You’re not buying this, are you? 🙂 Okay, just so you don’t think I’m mean or anything, I DID get them treats too!  Our bill was like $15.00 or some crazy amount to spend on coffee and a few scones.  They really did do SO great with their lessons…but it was really all about me! 😉  Joking!! (not really joking!).

The best part was, I was SO caffeinated after that, that in fast-forward speed, I not only grocery shopped, I also prepared our dinner for the evening and stuck it in the fridge.  I reorganized my entire kitchen, did zillions of dishes, wiped yucky sticky I-don’t-know-what off the kitchen chairs, cleaned out the fridge and pantry…and still had enough caffeine in me I probably could have run a marathon!!  I got more done in two hours than I had in two months this summer!!  I felt like I was on “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” and I was at the top of the Swiss Alps with tears in my eyes, yelling, “I DID IT!!!  I didn’t know I had that in me!!”

I’m kind of dramatic, I know.

It just felt so good to get so much done.  Caffeine!!!

So, it should come as no surprise that this morning after swim lessons, we were back at Starbucks!  I wanted MORE!!!  I NEEDED more!!  I felt like I was calling out for ice chips again (like in my “Thirsty” blog)!  “I have an EXTREMELY messy house so I need more of your powerful caffeine…er, I mean, can I please have one tall vanilla soy latte please?”  You might as well throw in a zillion of your most expensive scones and cake pops to keep my kids happy on the ride home too! Oh!  And take my money…this will all be worth it (and much cheaper than a housecleaner) by the time I crash on the couch this afternoon!

I admit, I may have a problem (hang on, let me pause to take a sip of my latte)…okay, I’m back.  There are worse things, right?  I used to be addicted to snacking on M & M’s…and all that gave me was a tummy ache and a longer gym workout!  Broke that addiction FAST!

No one is perfect.  I’m the first one to admit that I don’t have it all together, and that I need a little help sometimes, even if it’s from my friendly neighborhood Starbucks.

I have a little plaque on my kitchen counter by the sink.  It’s a reminder to me on those days when I need more than a little cup of caffeine.  It says, “I can do all things through HIM who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13.  It reminds me that He who made the mighty coffee bean, is FAR greater, and keeps me coming “back for more” of HIM!  The best part is, I don’t crash on the couch afterward either!