Thursday, October 21, 2010

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. 

      2 comments:

      Unknown said...

      I can so relate to this post. I don't have to worry about legos in the shower, but they are in EVERY room in the house. There are some days I have a hard time thinking about the good things because they're so many things that annoy me. Hope the rest of the vacation goes well and the kid spend more time loving each other than fighting. Have fun at Splash Universe!!!! (We are still spreading the flu through our family. :( )

      Mom H said...

      Oh Chelle, I remember feeling much the same way when you kids were young. And look how wonderful you all turned out in spite of our mistakes. God's grace! love mom