A few funnies

We are a non-stop comedy factory over here.  Most days I couldn't script the things these people say if I tried.

A snippet.

Around the dinner table one night, Elijah declared he was going to be a rancher (he's moved on from his desire to be a cook at IHOP).  John chimed in declaring he was going to be a farmer.  Not missing a beat, Daniel declared he was going to be a cower and ride cows in the garage.

John is not a fan of school.  Frankly, it cuts into his play time and that is not cool.  We had recently watched  a Percy Jackson movie that has the song "Highway to Hell" in it.  Well, walking down the hallway during open house what song should be darling blue eyed boy start belting out?  Yup, "Highway to Hell".  I tried not to laugh too much since the irony of choosing that song was lost on John.  I also let him know that song would probably be frowned upon in school.

During dinner one night we were eating something with beans.  John, upon taking a big bite, says, "This tastes like beans."  Well, that's good since it is beans!  He got a little offended that Chris and I were laughing at his expense so Chris tried to explain to him why it was funny but he still didn't think it was funny which made it all the more funny.

Temptation

Summer comes to an end in two days when the big boys go back to school.  It has been a challenge being a stay at home mom with four kiddos home this summer.  The big boys felt like they got gypped on fun since going to the pool or any other great adventure was met with a ,"Sorry, but that is more than Mom can handle."  The little boy and baby felt like they spent the summer getting in and out of the van & stroller as we shuttled around.

So, last week when the whining and complaining and crying hit their crescendo I was pretty sure psychiatric services were in my future.  Then, I got message from an old supervisor.  It was a job offer.

A job.  In the real world.  With adults.  And reading real books.  And teaching things I love.

I was tempted.  I reasoned.  I negotiated.  I pleaded with God to give me the green light to leave this hard job called motherhood behind for a few hours each day.

He didn't budge.

And then the still small voice revealed the real root.  It's not that I wanted to escape motherhood.  It's that I wanted to know I had done well.  To know that those who are out there remember little ol' me fondly.  I know that someday I might be able to go back.

So, I thank the Lord for today and try not to think too much about tomorrow.  I thank Him for the ways He shurs me up; for the encouragement He sends my way.  

And I resist temptation.

The Girls

Last week "the girls" were here.  Affectionately labeled so to differentiate from the boys who typically live here.  We signed on to host three college girls who have been traveling I-29 all summer putting on a Jesus camp.  And, as is typically the case when one thinks they are going to bless someone else, I was immeasurably blessed by these young women.

Jess, Emily, and EmJay (who is also an Emily) moved in on Saturday night.  I knew we would hit it off right away when Emily asked for crackers and mac and cheese.  A girl after Daniel's heart!  All of these girls fit so well with our family.  They snuggled the boys on Pizza Movie night.  Shared their technology.  Asked questions only Chris could answer.

I got to have conversations I don't normally get to have.  We talked relationships, when you know it's love and how to be happy single.  We talked about messy families and how God works through us to heal them.  We talked about fitting in and liking what God thinks more than others.  We talked about fitness, missions, food, roomates, and shared silly stories about our crazy days. 

We painted toe nails.  They colored their hair (ah the high school memories).  We got coffee.

At the end of the week, I cried when they left.  Daniel has asked every day when "the girls" are coming back.  I sure pray the Lord crosses our paths again someday. 

Jess showing Daniel the monkey in our backyard. 

Daniel wondering why he couldn't have painted nails too.

Saturday family picture

Summer Fun

We finally got summer weather this week.  So, we finally pumped up the pool I bought last September on clearance.  We invited the neighbor boys and had a party.

Hello, my name is Micah.  I am nearly 8 months old and I love outdoors and eating.

Elijah's new favorite pose.  I'm not sure when he got so big.

Proving he's a "man" by jumping into freezing water, John is always up for a dare.

For Daniel, it's all about the splash and throwing things in

Brotherly love for Mom's sake.

 

Reminders

Sometimes I get too comfortable in my life.  I forget the blessings.  I forget gratitude.

This week I was reminded how ridiculously blessed I am.  I experienced first hand how a matter of inches and seconds can change everything.  Ever. Y. Thing. 

Thursday morning I prayed that the Lord would equip me for the day.  That He would give me what I need specifically to mother each of these very different boys.  That He would keep me mindful of Him all day.

Around 4 o'clock John and Daniel were playing in the basement.  Around 4:15 there was a large, loud crash and a scream for help.  A desperate, scared scream.  I was unprepared for what I saw at the bottom of the stairs.

A bank of lockers we had put in were laying on top of my darling blue eyed boy.  Heavy metal lockers.  Lifting them and trying to get John out I cried out. "Oh Lord!"  It was all I could muster. 

A few inches.  A head instead of a leg.  His arm instead of the fleshy part of his femur.

Around 5 o'clock I started getting ready to grill dinner.  Around 5:15 there was a fire and a cry for help.  A desperate, scared cry.  I was unprepared to fight the fire.

A new propane tank was leaking and as I reached to turn it off it burst into flames.  Rescuing John and Micah from the deck and getting Daniel out of the backyard happened quickly but then things started to slow down.  I had the fire extinguisher but I could not remember how to use it.  I called for the neighbor while another neighbor ran to the rescue.  As he grabbed the fire extinquisher the tank made a loud sound and fire burst everywhere. 

A few more seconds.  Our house instead of the grill. 

I live a ridiculously blessed life because He allows me to.  To take that for granted is selfish and so ungrateful.

I cried Thursday night.  I cried for what could have been.  I cried for His great mercy on our family.  I cried in repentance of my sinful heart.