Barbies and Legos in MY shower...

and other things that annoy me now,  but someday I will miss...

As i stepped into my shower the other morning and nearly punctured my foot on a StarWars action figure I thought to myself~~  "Arghhhhh!   these kids!!!!"  (or perhaps something not as nice as that)

• Snack wrappers under the sheets in our bed

• Grubby hand prints on every light switch, window and door knob.  

• That one toilet in the house that is always used... but rarely flushed. 

• The remains of a sucker stick that is permanently fixed to the seat in the van

• Backpacks half zipped up with food  and important papers falling out everywhere.

• And it is worth mentioning again...their toys in every nook and cranny of this house! 

• the literal bouncing off the walls

• oh my.  the fighting and teasing and pestering.

At times I get really frustrated with how I can never keep up with their messes,  their laundry,  the schedules and their overall needs.   Those are the days I would be mortified to have someone "drop in" to say hello.    I never imagined  my life with this many children,  and rarely feel that I do this job well.    Especially when I realize that the reason they are like this is perhaps  we have failed to properly teach them how to be decent.


It is in those moments that i require a new perspective.   We have 4 (almost 5) kids that have been gifted to us.  They are amazing unique creatures God loves and knows.   They are a perfect blend of Dan and I and we have such an amazing job to do.    So,  instead of my dramatic displays of dissatisfaction,  today  I will marvel in my children.  

• the bedtime conversations had by the boys,  and the fact that they can't sleep without the other in the room.

• Juliet singing Jesus Loves Me in her bed, in the car, in the corner where she always does her "duty"

• The way Joy expresses herself through notes, card making, and drawings. 

• How they freely speak about a sister in heaven.

• The two moments in every school day that I adore:   When they step foot on the bus.  Everyday I am genuinely thankful  we survived the 45 minute ridiculousness that is the morning routine.   Also,  when they step foot off the bus.  They are so happy to be home again,  I am thankful to have them safely back to me.  

• How the big 3 adore Juliet.

Messes,  artwork and even clogged toilets.  These are just some of the things over the last 11 years that have made our house... a home.   For this short period of time I will just have to  watch my step in the shower and see my kids through the eyes of grace.  These minor annoyances will someday be fond memories.