The first day of summer with all of the kids home and me at the helm, a total bomb. This is one of those days when I think about my friends that homeschool their large families and think they all should be sainted. I did NOTHING productive the entire day, and I was still a prickly, sour, kill joy. Ladies, you rock!
Okay, so I did get a few boxes packed, but that was about it. Moving is a stressful event. Add to that, that my kids really want to help. They would be very happy to throw everything we own in boxes and trot it right down to our new house. The issue is that we don't know for sure when we are moving, and I would really like to take this opportunity to lighten our load. I was really hoping that since we are moving such a short distance that it would be relatively simple. I don't know what I was thinking since just moving bedrooms around can cause us to need therapy. It will be an interesting month.
As I was driving the troops over to track club I started think about what my problem is. My conclusion is that I let my love wear thin, and it isn't covering the multitude of sins. Of course when Momma is crabby and critical all day, everybody else whistles the same tune. When I get bristly first thing in the morning, because my son has grand plans of selling lemonade, and would like to know if he can start immediately, things generally do not perk up if I don't perk up. My task oriented family is very overwhelming, especially when their tasks are not in line with my tasks and they all need my help. Somewhere in all of this I have got to get a sense of humor. This is quality stuff people. If I could take a step back and laugh at myself I think my evenings would be much more pleasant.
My husband was pure genius this morning making a coffee filter out of a paper towel. I avoided having my neighbors woken up bright and early by my children yelling "lemonade for sale!" by not having any left after this weekend's foray in lemonade stands. It only took me 20 minutes to wash the soft scrub off the toilet after Eden helpfully cleaned the bathroom. I only had to chase the dog up the street three times, and one of them the mail lady caught him first. Only two children went around the neighborhood in their jammies before noon. The appraisal lady managed to get pictures of all of my bedrooms in complete disarray, and even confessed that "yes, they are all ours." I am almost certain no one left the house naked at any time, and they were all fed at least 5 times today.
I just really need to remember to take a few time outs during the day. The activity level is high, and the needs are endless, but not usually life threatening. It is okay to shut my door and get settled before I go into a complete tirade about some really ridiculous petty thing. When I listen to myself I realize how completely selfish and stupid I sound. You would think this would cause me to zip it, but usually I try to figure out how to spin it so it doesn't sound so bad, it fails. I really need to let the 10,000 petty annoyances go, and look to God. I need to chuckle at them for what they are, silly. If Helen wants to wear Brooke's heels and ride her tricycle through the living room, I need to enjoy the moment. It won't be long before she wants to take the car to Pullman to see her friends. I need to smile at Soren's garden starts on the shelf that I so helpfully cleared for him. I need to read Ecclesiastes again, and again. It is all vanity and grasping at the wind, but to find joy in it is a gift from God. Lord willing He will give me another crack at it tomorrow.
#583-598
Kids that can run like the wind.
Madie finding her jumping legs again.
Walking and talking with a friend, it goes so much faster when you have someone to talk to.
Husbands that can still reinvent when necessary.
Girls piled on couches watching movies.
Friends who tackle you in the parking lot because they are happy to see you.
Girls singing, ALL DAY LONG!
The smell of rain.
Wind blowing through aspens.
Full boxes, empty shelves.
Organized toys.
Netflix movies found!
Kids dancing on the Wii.
Neighbors that come to see us as soon as they get home from school.
The ability to laugh at my utter failures.
Life in a small town with a large family. Trying to put God on display.
3 comments:
Hi Signe!
Where are you moving? Hang in there, your post made me giggle, I miss you and would love to sit, chat and laugh together as we compare moving chaos :>
Signe, I love your blog. Have I said this before? Probably. Oh well...take it that duplication means sincerity.
Oh wow. I've been reading your blog for a while now, but this post was excellent. I was severely attacked by laughter in the second-to-last paragraph!
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