By The Grace of God
Hi there! I'm glad you are here! I'm glad I'm here. You want to know why? It means I have a few minutes to MYSELF!
After attending a bridal shower for my soon to be sister- in- law, I have been pondering a question I am often asked. "How do you do it?!" This question almost always follows the preceding, "how many children do you have?"
I have five kiddos. Yes, you read that correctly. I have actually had 6, but one is in heaven.
Elizabeth is 18, a high school senior. Luke, 16, is a sophomore. Emma, born in 2002 at 24 weeks gestation, is in heaven. Isaiah is 13 and in 8th grade. Elijah is 11 and in 6th and bringing up the caboose is Noah, 41/2 in pre-k. (if you notice the grades watch for a blog entry this time next year on transitions.)
Our home is loud and busy, and physical. Anyone with more than one boy may understand that last sentence. We have taught them right from wrong, teach them manners, and raise them to love God. However, like most, we fail. We fail miserably at times. Me, being Mom, feel like I fail most of the time.....
One evening we might be sitting at the jv football game and the following week going on a preschool fieldtrip. One evening watching Survivor, the next morning watching Spongebob. (true story, btw)
How do I juggle kids ranging from young adult all the way down to preschool? I struggle. A lot! I rely on the grace of God. I am constantly asking God for grace and mercy to handle a situation. Strength to get through the day, often, the next hour. I do the best I can with the resources I have available and pray without ceasing. No, it is not a set quiet time at an early morning hour. It is all day, throughout the day, what I call popcorn prayers.
Yesterday was a great example. A stomach bug hit our house. EARLY yesterday morning I was awakened two different times by two different kiddos. Isaiah had vomited and problem with the other end, as well. Noah woke up vomiting. We rested on the couch for a bit. He stood up and announced he had pooped his pants. I would hesitate to call the consistency poop... more of a brown liquid. Before I could get him out of the room and grab something to clean it up, the puppy decided he wanted to help! I know... disgusting, as was Tucker puppy's breath for most of the day. You know what? I laughed! Instead of getting disgruntled or annoyed I had to laugh. I call that God's grace.
Since it was 24 hours and Noah is fine today, he went back to school but Isaiah is home. By God's grace, I am able to sit and type for stress relief. Anyone who knows that boy knows he's a mama's boy and knows exactly which "buttons to push." Again, God's grace.
I love my family but, oh, how I am thankful for God's grace!
After attending a bridal shower for my soon to be sister- in- law, I have been pondering a question I am often asked. "How do you do it?!" This question almost always follows the preceding, "how many children do you have?"
I have five kiddos. Yes, you read that correctly. I have actually had 6, but one is in heaven.
Elizabeth is 18, a high school senior. Luke, 16, is a sophomore. Emma, born in 2002 at 24 weeks gestation, is in heaven. Isaiah is 13 and in 8th grade. Elijah is 11 and in 6th and bringing up the caboose is Noah, 41/2 in pre-k. (if you notice the grades watch for a blog entry this time next year on transitions.)
Our home is loud and busy, and physical. Anyone with more than one boy may understand that last sentence. We have taught them right from wrong, teach them manners, and raise them to love God. However, like most, we fail. We fail miserably at times. Me, being Mom, feel like I fail most of the time.....
One evening we might be sitting at the jv football game and the following week going on a preschool fieldtrip. One evening watching Survivor, the next morning watching Spongebob. (true story, btw)
How do I juggle kids ranging from young adult all the way down to preschool? I struggle. A lot! I rely on the grace of God. I am constantly asking God for grace and mercy to handle a situation. Strength to get through the day, often, the next hour. I do the best I can with the resources I have available and pray without ceasing. No, it is not a set quiet time at an early morning hour. It is all day, throughout the day, what I call popcorn prayers.
Yesterday was a great example. A stomach bug hit our house. EARLY yesterday morning I was awakened two different times by two different kiddos. Isaiah had vomited and problem with the other end, as well. Noah woke up vomiting. We rested on the couch for a bit. He stood up and announced he had pooped his pants. I would hesitate to call the consistency poop... more of a brown liquid. Before I could get him out of the room and grab something to clean it up, the puppy decided he wanted to help! I know... disgusting, as was Tucker puppy's breath for most of the day. You know what? I laughed! Instead of getting disgruntled or annoyed I had to laugh. I call that God's grace.
Since it was 24 hours and Noah is fine today, he went back to school but Isaiah is home. By God's grace, I am able to sit and type for stress relief. Anyone who knows that boy knows he's a mama's boy and knows exactly which "buttons to push." Again, God's grace.
I love my family but, oh, how I am thankful for God's grace!
Comments
Post a Comment