Lists and Resolutions

The list for today includes: folding 5-6 loads of laundry and returning them to their proper locations, washing the sink-full of dishes, putting on the crockpot for dinner, feeding the kids lunch and getting everyone down for naps on time, writing up a list of things needed for the family to go out of town for vacation, getting the kids and myself out of the house on time for small group tonight with dinner in our bellies and shoes on our feet (hope everything in between ends up on us as well!!), get to the store so that we have food to eat tomorrow morning, and about a million other little things that I can’t even think of right now that will inevitably come up between now and bedtime.

        The thing is that I’ve been doing none of those things right now. Instead I’ve been reading tons and tons of resolutions from random people that I don’t know. All of the resolutions talk about what people want to do with their summers. There was so much variety. Some people just wanted to enjoy a sunset each day, others wanted to stick to the much dreaded and difficult weight loss plan, and the list went on.

        I did notice a trend that is so easy to talk about, but much harder to put into practice with the daily list of hundreds of things we all want to accomplish. So many people kept saying how they wanted to spend more time with the children or be more thankful for their kids: spend more time playing with them, enjoy them in the sunshine, treasure them at the various stages in which they may be.

        Of course, this strikes something in me, because I get my lists going and get my target in sight, and all else just becomes a distraction in the path of what I want to accomplish. And that’s me just forgetting what is really important in this life. Humanity.

     

   Sooooo…. I’m getting off the computer and I’m going to read a book or two or probably a whole stack since it’s what my kids love. And I’m going to take a ½ hour and just love on my kids. My list isn’t going anywhere. Unfortunately! 

Home Sweet Home

Life as a stay-at-home mom can be so challenging. It’s the best job I could ever want, and at the same time, the hardest job a woman could have. These little kids depend on me for everything! Their worlds are being shaped by my words, actions, and values. That’s a hefty responsibility to carry. There are too few people out there that don’t seriously contemplate the outcome of having kids. It’s not something that I want to take for granted. On the other hand, I am extremely grateful that I am not ultimately responsible for my children. God can use my mistakes as a mother to shape their lives and to use them as they mature and grow in His grace.

     Most days, the only voices I hear (besides my husband) are these three little voices interacting with each other. Their latest obsession is pretending to be various animals and chasing each other around the house barking, roaring or meowing at each other. They keep life exciting, that’s for sure.

     So it’s always very enjoyable when randomly, everything is at peace for a few minutes. They might all go in their room and close the door. They might be playing quietly with their various toys, or like right now, singing the alphabet song together. Sometimes they all go out on the front porch and play in the sun or watch the cars go by. Or... yell at bugs. I never said that they were normal children! = )

     A few days ago, we got a downpouring of rain. The kids wanted to play in it, and I didn’t want to get drenched myself. So I stripped them down to play in the water that collected on the porch. I’m so glad I caught it on camera, because those are the moments I know I’m going to love remembering about being home with my children. They wouldn’t be able to have these experiences if they were at a daycare somewhere. I’m grateful that God has provided for us and given Derek a good solid job with an income on which we can survive.

 So today, I'm choosing to be grateful that I’m home with my kids, and I look forward to many future days, full of all kinds of chaos.

 Here's a few of the pictures from the rainy day fun!

                                           
                       Audriana and Kaelyn feeling the rain on their faces

                                   Josiah was seriously excited!!

Baby cow has to join in the fun and get soaked too!

                                 The sweetest face on earth.

  Josiah likes the vantage point that the rocking chair offers for seeing vehicles.

  They love climbing on the railing and looking out.