Day #98: Fumes

A long weekend and too much excitement has left our family running on fumes.  Late bedtimes, shortened naps, and interrupted sleep has left us with a bunch of tired kids and parents.  I am looking forward to a day of relaxation and no plans.  Monday will be welcome this week!

There are times when it seems like such a good idea to pack a weekend with fun activities, but ultimately, I like a simple weekend with semi-regular bedtimes.  I must be getting old...

Day #97: A Family Legacy

Family.  In the end, it is all that matters.  Once our screaming little bundle of joy was placed in my arms, I realized nothing would ever be the same again.  As I gazed into the eyes of my child, my heart swelled and it became clear I would do anything for him.  When I walked into our home for the first time as a family, it seemed as if life had always been this way.  I wondered how it would be possible for my love to grow, but it did.  In the blink of an eye it became the three of us.  The four.  The five of us.  The six.  Many years from now, this number will likely begin to increase.  Even further down the road, it will increase again.

When you join in marriage with your spouse it is hard to fathom what will become of this union years down the road.  At the time, you can only imagine life as just the two of you.  Only with time, can you see what a tremendous, life-changing impact your union will have.  

Today we spent time at my husband's family farm celebrating the 95th birthday of his grandmother.  Gathered in a room were her children, their children, and their children's children all singing a loud rendition of "Happy Birthday."  In the room were doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and salesmen.  Moms who stay home with their babies, a soon-to-be mom, and adorable children with big dreams.  A room filled with smiles, laughter, and love.  A family.

As I watched, I couldn't help but think to myself how awesome it will be, if I am so lucky to reach an old age, to sit in a room with the generations of my family singing.  I would imagine it may be a bit overwhelming to look around at the large crowd gathered together and realize the impact we have had on this world because of our choice to marry and have children.  It is truly quite amazing this all came to be from a union so many years ago.

Day #96: Fun in Giving

4th of July has finally arrived!  The kids have been counting down to the next holiday for quite some time.  They are convinced we should be counting down to Halloween next since it is the next "big" holiday.  Not so fast, dear children.  We have a glorious summer to enjoy first!

This year the kids had the option to watch the parade or participate as we were representing our charity for the first time in a parade.  The three older kids all wanted to be in it (truth be told, the baby really wanted to ride on the golf cart as well!) and were adamant they did not care about not receiving any candy.  Why not?!  Family fun!

The parade was a blast.  Our neighbors were so kind to not only let us use their golf cart, but to help as well.  All of the kids enjoyed throwing candy and waving to the crowd and not once did they complain about not having a bag of candy of their own to enjoy.  I am thrilled to not have three giant bags of candy at home, because it is usually Mom who is sneaking in the bag for a mid-day treat.  Win-win!

 

Day #95: Knowing My Limits

We love to have people over.  Parties, dinner, impromptu barbecues...you name it!  Tonight we are having a dinner party.  Generally I have a pretty good idea of a meal plan, but not this time.  Our week has been a bit busy, our house a bit neglected, and an extra trip to the grocery store has not happened quite yet!  

We worked together as a family to tidy up the house and by noon I was ready to think about food.  I started to make a list for a dinner that was perhaps a bit too much to take on in a short time frame and quickly realized I needed to start over with something a little more realistic.  This is a big step for me!

So many times in my life I put too much pressure on myself, extend myself too far, and just don't realize my limits.  This usually ends up stressing me out and turning me into a grumpy, snippy mother and wife.  Knowing my limits is important and keeping myself within those parameters is something I need to work on.  Today was progress.

Imperfect progress is the goal.  Baby steps are encouraging!

Day #94: It Happens...a Lunchtime Realization

Today I glanced around the table during our loud and crazy lunch and it hit me...in about six weeks by lunch crew is going to be cut in half.  Soon I will have two kids in school all day and a third gone each afternoon.  My lunch bunch is shrinking.  I am not sure how I feel about that.

Meals are a challenge.  Through the years we've evolved from spills and messes being our biggest challenge to loud, silly kids using questionable language at the dinner table.  There are giggle fits, some bickering back and forth, and the occasional milk spill.  In the heat of the moment it is frustrating and irritating, but in the blink of an eye it will be eerily quiet.

The light at the end of the tunnel is approaching sooner than I'd like.  Life has been chaotic, loud, and challenging since we added our third in 2010, but two-thirds of the trifecta will be in school full-time soon.  My little guy is going to be lost and Mommy just might be too.

Uh-oh, time for the tissues...

Day #93: Content with Today

We took a trip to Hobby Lobby today (yes, this is a bit dangerous with four little kids!) in search of some items to complete a home decorating project.  Shortly after we walked in the store, they spotted fall and pumpkin decor.  My oldest son looked confused and asked why they had their pumpkin stuff out already.  A few aisles down he paused and loudly exclaimed, "It's not winter!  Why do they have their Christmas stuff out?"  The younger kids were equally as puzzled.  After all, summer has just begun, right?

This is just an isolated example of the way we are becoming programmed to think.  Why do we live in a time where we have difficulty being happy and content with the present?  Given none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, why do we have such a difficult time embracing today?  As a society we are being programmed by marketing campaigns and retail stores to plan for holidays and seasonal changes half a year out.  I am a planner and enjoy being organized, but this takes it to a whole other level.    

Moms, our kids are watching.  We are setting the example:  what message are we conveying?  We have the ability to swim against the tide and simply enjoy today.  My kids hit the nail on the head.  It is completely ridiculous stores are being filled with Christmas decor in July.  It is equally ridiculous to fill stores with summer items in December.  I truly love how their innocent remarks touched me so profoundly.  Kids are pretty awesome at living in the moment.  Most of the time their biggest concern is what they will eat at the next meal or what they will play next.

Needless to say, our family won't be purchasing more "stuff" for holidays months away.  We won't be purchasing winter clothes, talking about Christmas lists, Santa, or anything holiday-related until November.  Instead, we will enjoy our summer and do our best to live in the moment.  Soaking up the sun is so much more fun than thinking about the cold...enjoy it!

     



 

   

Day #92: The Best Gift

Today marks the halfway point for 2014.  How is it possible we're already halfway through another year?!  Summer seems so be slipping away quickly and we have quite a lot of activities left on our bucket list to tackle.  I suppose it's time to muster up the courage to venture out solo with the kids and have some fun.  It is always an adventure when we step out in public...I may change my mind about this!

This summer my kids are so content being at home playing together.  It is a bit of a change from last summer.  What a difference a year makes!  I love that three of the four are old enough to play together for hours.  Now that the baby is mobile, she is getting in on the action as well!  They are all very creative and really love to take an idea and roll with it.

Watching this play out is pretty awesome.  When I was young I always longed for a sibling to play with (my brother was much older) and my kids have been blessed with three.  I look forward to watching their relationships continue to develop and pray they remain the best of friends as they age.  What a terrific gift we have been able to give our children!  It is easy to forget this some days when they become out of control and mischievous, but at the end of the day, they are just kids being kids.  To top that, they are friends creating wonderful memories they will share with their own families some day.