The other day while grocery shopping I happened upon a line of products that had aroma therapy fragrances in them.  They featured two of my favorite fragrances, lemon verbena and geranium.  Mmmm.  So of course I bought the hand soap and the counter spray.  later while I was cleaning up the house I thought to myself (seriously) how much my family would appreciate me for making such a lovely home for them.  I cooked dinner and had everything just right as Jer got home from work.

Well, nobody liked the dinner I made.  Everyone was grouchy.  Reese cried all evening. The phone kept ringing. Before I knew it, it was time to put the kids to bed.  After they were asleep I folded some laundry and one last time sprayed and wiped the counter tops.  As Jer walked out of the kitchen he casually said "that stuff kind of stinks, huh?"

Needless to say, I overreacted.  I was destroyed. I realize that Jer is entitled to his preferences, and this matter was after all, only about preferences.  So why was I so sad about it?  Jer looked at me like I might be insane when I said "I don't think we're meant to be together"  Ha ha - only joking.  Jer is perfect for me actually. I guess I was just trying to show off the 'invisible work' that I do .  I thought of a talk I heard a while back by Doctors Bill & Chris Marshall called "Love at Home".  They talk about 'invisible work'.  The endless tasks like laundry and dishes that nobody realizes has even been done until it hasn't been, and then you get assaulted by kids needing socks and their favorite shirt or tinkerbell jammies.  And now every time I use that delicious soap I feel like i'm causing offense. Grrr.

Well this morning when Avery opened her closet to find her favorite outfit waiting for her she said "oh my! I am so happy! You're the best mommy in the world"  (she's always this passionate about small things, it's her gift).  Funny how such a small amount of recognition can make me feel so warm and fuzzy.