The Art of Motherhood

It’s hard.

It’s tough.

It’s not easy.

To be consistent is fairly easy.  To have clearly defined rules is pretty easy.  To not know exactly what’s going on and not have enough of you to go around to meet everyone’s needs–that is hard.  It stays hard.

You know in Christ it is always enough, and yet…you fall so short.  To keep on believing that you were put here for “such a time as this”, and that you have what it takes by the grace of God, even when there is no one to tell you so, that is the courage of motherhood.  Not knowing if you are failing or succeeding, but trusting that somehow, by the grace of God, it will all be enough.

No Greater Joy

Tuesday

Today, I mopped the floor good before the kids are home for Thanksgiving break.  I got grocery shopping somewhat caught up for kids home for meals.  I got chicken defrosting for dinner.

Glad I took some time to recover my spirit today–Lord knows I needed it tonight.

The second half of today?  Sometimes you think you are due a break and you get hit with another situation, and it’s very hard to keep going, to find the emotional reserve.  But, you do…because people are worth it.

I feel so worn out tonight.  I was so hoping for a restful Thanksgiving.

Tired of “issues”.  “Situations” dictating the landscape.  Yet, I know they are for my good, somehow.  Perhaps the Lord uses them to keep my focus tied up instead of letting me get too introspective.  I don’t know.  I’m trying to find a way to say “thank you” about it when I don’t feel it at the moment.

I prayed last week, “Lord, do don’t let me fall behind in parenting with so much going on.  Fill in my gaps, keep me on my toes.  Show me.  Fill the gaps with my kids. Help me.  Help.”

He has.

I won’t dishonor growing kids by venting all their stuff here, but parenting prayers are appreciated…for fortitude, effective discipline, appropriate discipline, good modeling, God’s presence to be with us as we try to lead.  Just refreshing and strength for continued tasks bigger than me.  Everything in my life is a “God sized” thing right now, and I should be thankful that I’m forced to be so dependent on Him.

Mom called tonight and I was just so short and snappy not being able to talk with her about what was really going on with me with the kids in earshot.  “Business issues” dictated, simply because that was the only thing safe to talk about, and more papers was the last thing on my mind to want to talk about at the time.

Here is the part where I try to make this applicable and meaningful and draw you into the conversation.  And I just don’t have it in me to come up with any of that.  Thanks for the prayers and support.

Surviving the First Day of School with Multiple Children

So, I just filled out sixty forms on my kids first day of school.  I counted.

I dated things multiple times on pages, filled out the same information to go to multiple sources (like they don’t make copy machines or believe in electronic filing of standard information, like addresses.)

And still, did you know that if a teacher wants to call you, THEY likely won’t have your number unless you give it to them personally?  Again?

Crazy.

I got three student handbooks, three student calendars, three school calendars.  I’m all for information, and granted, I may lose a few things here and there, but can we talk paper reduction?

ANYWAY…

enough of that rambling mommy sarcasm at the end of a long day.

What I was going to say was…here are my tips for sending multiple kids to school:

• cook ahead of time.  It took me from 3 until just now to get through all the stuff.  I did move much faster this year than last, but still found I missed a few things.
• know where you kid’s social security numbers are located
• use a pen you love…somehow, that is a help
• don’t think, just sign
• don’t get hung up on the fact that the manual says kids can return to school simply after a lice shampoo.  (Does no one but me realize that lice are getting immune to that stuff…it doesn’t kill them.  Trust me.)
• have treats ready for the kids when they get home from school…then you can move fast before fatigue sets in.
• prepare to give all kids baths very soon after they’ve been on the playground in this kind of heat.
• have a cold treat after they’ve been in the car line, or on the bus for half an hour.  It’s very hot.
• read teacher letters, underline, and write down your kids schedule in a few key places (in case you lose one).  It is your ticket to being a support to your kids.  Know where they are.  Last year, we had a couple very uncomfortable events happen through the school year.  I was so glad to know what teacher they were with at the time, and where they were in the building.
• smile.  teachers are stressed and they need to you believe in them.  Say thank you.  Let them know you are excited about the year.  Treat them well…they deserve it.
• get all folders put in bags THE NIGHT BEFORE.  You would think you could get that one simple task done the next morning, but don’t bank on it.
• try to get them to pick out clothes the night before…we didn’t make that one tonight, but we did have a short family devotion instead of school reading time that will soon need to squeeze in there at bedtime.
• if you take pepto bismol, tylenol, tums, and any cold-type medications to the school nurse and sign a release now…the nurse can treat your kids instead of you having to go to the school with meds.  This really helped me last year when I got it all there…finally!  I put my kids in a zip-lock bag, write the kids dosages on the bag, along with my home and cell number and they call.
• go to the parent volunteer meeting and get your security clearance early for field trips.  Ours is this week and is offered twice.  You’ll be glad you got it out of the way and can be in the building and on trips with your kids.
• buy school classroom snacks, and provide extras for the class to help cover days you forget.  Otherwise, the teacher ususally gets stuck furnishing them.

I loved the tips I got last time I did that in school prep…so, what things would you add to this list?

I need to know!

Quick Photo Post

The Bike Ride I Missed

My Mother’s Day Pendant

From the Front Room

The Color isn’t this yellow, really

Front Room View

Pretty Little Funky Flower Plates

Excuse the mess.

A Shirt one of Boy Wonders Best Friend’s Lent Him for Today

Mother’s Day Earrings

For The Teachers

More Red Geraniums,

Sunday School Flowers–Mother’s Day

My Mother’s Day Gerianiums

Misty, love her precious heart, called to let me borrow her camera today.  I played a bit of photo catch up while I have a cam.  I think  you can click each for more info I wrote on each photo, however, the text color is a bit hard to read, and I can’t fix it today!  Sorry!

Maggie

Vote If You Can

I was asked by a couple folks to consider running for Site Based Council as a representative for our school and have agreed.  I don’t really know what I’m getting into, but will do my best if elected.  

Elections for our elementary school (GES) are this Thursday night (PTSA, 5:00, Media Center).  PTSO dues are $1 if you didn’t pay yours at the first of the year.  Pay your dollar when you sign in so that you can vote.

Our school needs people to help fill many rolls with PTSO –those elections are also Thursday night.  Let someone know if you are interested.  Following the meeting is Arts & Humanities Night with refreshments. 

Thanks for the prayers.  

Speech Day

Preparing for your first public speech, other than those occasional classroom book reports.  A competitor.  The winner will give the speech the day of 5th grade graduation, and he/she will not know of the winner until that time.  Talk about being put on the spot!  But, we are so incredibly proud of your presence–a finalist.   One of twelve.  Oh yes, run to win, but be satisfied to be in the elite and make the most of it, son.  We love you so much and are so proud of you. 

I’ll be there with your Daddy’s shoes.  You have to walk three blocks to get to the luncheon.  I think they’d slip off your feet for the walk, but you won’t have to give your speech in your tennis shoes…your Daddy has loaned you his best ones.  I polished them up and they shine.  He said last night, “I just can’t believe my son is big enough to really wear my own shoes!  It’s so strange.”

You look sharp in your starched khakis and clean shirt already.  Heaven knows I don’t iron for just anyone! 

Stand tall.  Speak clearly.  Be yourself.  Swallow your nerves.  Give it your all. 

I can’t wait.  I’ll meet you there.  I’ll be cheering the loudest.

I love you!

~Mom

On Monday, Kids, and The Dealing With of Them

Okay, so that title was grammatically a wreck, but that’s okay for today. 

I’ve been with people non-stop since last Tuesday and my little personality-spirit SO needs some down time to be healthy.  I find myself just wanting to relish in the fast that I’m tired today, and just “do”.  My husband woke up talking about needing soap and telling me he was getting sick and asking me how I slept.  And I don’t think I had a word…I just long for peace and quiet so much at times.  

Later, one child could not eat breakfast because his eggs needed salt.  I made him eggs, bacon, and toast, and he can’t eat because he can’t salt his eggs.

Two kids made it to the van without their coats…after I’d harped on one for five minutes and looked for a coat, I’m driving down the drive and the oldest STILL didn’t have one.  I threw that van in reverse and threw myself an intentional hissy fit. 

There is a time for sweetness, and there is a time for godly fear.  Today was the day for godly fear.  Adults are taxed, and it’s not the time to go your own way and make waves.  It’s time to buckle down, show responsibility, give adults a little relief and be content. 

Enough is enough.

I may be dead wrong here.  But, I believe that children need to know that people have limits of energy, and patience, and grace.  They need to know that they can pick up the slack and make things a whole lot easier, or they can be self-centered and be miserable in the back of the bus out of earshot, because I’m not listening to a bunch of self-centered “do everything for me” whining when the world has been in need and it’s crunch time.  It’s time to buckle down and be problem solvers.  It’s time to listen and do what you know to do.  It’s not time to be lazy and whine and waste time and resources. 

I’m all about extras and making my kids feel grand.  We went ice skating yesterday, had hot cocoa, invited a friend, went out of town, ate out, had a marvelous time.  But, I am so tired of the whiney attitudes.  Child, if you have a problem, try to fix it before you start whining to no end.  There are too many people in real need.  The contrast is unsightly. 

I would suggest we all bear this in mine in coming days.  We will all fail, but it’s just a good principle to bear in mind.

I think I need some coffee and some yoga now.

My Quote for the Day:

Invest your time wisely:  80% where you are strongest 15% on learning new things, and 5% where you need or want to grow. 

(from Wisdom for Men:  Practical Bible-Based Principles for Home &  Word by Bobb Biehl [it just happened to be the closest thing to the toilet when I had two seconds to revv up for the day]).

I’m Laughing So Hard I Can’t Stop

Red:  “Can I have this?”, sweet voice, with hand holding a banana right up in my computer blog-reading face.

Mommy:  “Yeah, you can have a banana…after, um, you put on some pants, as cute as those und*erwear are.”

Red:  “But, uh, I’m getting a massage.”

Mommy:  Confused, dazed.  “Huh?  You’re what?  Who is giving you a ‘massage’?”

Red:  “My feet.  Over there.  I’ll get my pants wet.” , and I note the foot massage machine fired up with Sis manning the deck.

Mommy:  “Oh, I see.  Go on then.” 

A banana-fest and a foot massage in super-hero un*dies and a red sweatshirt. 

Does life really GET any better than that? 

Seriously.  THAT is the life, right there.   Man, my kids crack me up…totally!

[Edit:]  I just went to check things out (water IS involved).  He’s also playing his brother’s GameBoy, and he looks up at me and says, “I could really use a drink.” 

Gee, me, too! I’m thinkin!  Me, too, kid!

[Edit 2...this just keeps getting better]  Same tiny voice interrupts my “save” to my {edit} blogging: 

“Mom, I need you to scratch my legs very badly.” 

Mom:  “You do.”

Red:  “Yes, they itch very badly.”  (He’s all about proper adverb use these days…everything is “very badly”.)

Mom attempts to scratch.

Red:  “Scratch harder!”

Mom:  “Well, I’m trying, but you keep moving my hand, where do you want me to scratch exactly?”

Red:  “Oh, you aren’t scratching hard enough.  I’m going to get Dad!”

Mom:  “Oh, well, please do!”

Dad couldn’t, apparently he’s in the middle of a massage right now, too.

What the? …

{edit 3}

Boy Wonder enters:  “Mom, why do you keep laughing so hard?”

Mom recounts story, still laughing at the scenes.

Boy Wonder:  “Hey mom, don’t leave, you can stay here (and watch me play Madden ’08 PS II football).” 

Mom:  “Right.”  Does the inequity of any of this strike anyone but me?

Boy Wonder:  “Hey I know, you can work on the Rubix cube some more!”

Mom:  still think about inequity…”I’ll get right on that.”

I go pour myself a Diet Ginger Ale like it was a mixed drink and gulp two juice cups down.  And…I’m still laughing at the scenes!

PURSUE FIVES

Holly, the local nutritionist extraordinaire, wrote this:  Tips for being successful at those “weight loss” New Years Resolutions.  It was really motivating.

Yesterday, Day 1, I did pretty well.  The Hub had brought in some new chocolate truffles just a few days before Christmas, and as I am a truffle lover, I’ve had to catch up on my quota there, but I cut them in fourths, and enjoy the fourths slowly.  I’m pretty content with that.  I think about chocolate a lot.  Usually this time of year, I’ve gotten so sick and stressed and sick that I can’t eat chocolate for the pain of palpitations  ruling my life…so this year, I’m enjoying the chocolate! 

But, I planned my meals yesterday and anticipated them, and that is helping me curb snacking and wait to eat good meals instead of grabbing food and snacks.  I think it will add up to better health.  I felt better all day…no headaches, etc.

Lunch, I’ve been craving Cheddar and Broccoli soup, Campbell’s.  I used some leftover pizza dough and rolled out some breadsticks to go with it.  While I was out running around, I called and asked mom if she still had that toaster oven she’s been trying to move for a few years.  She did.  It’s made breakfast fun to try something new.  Toast for five can take a while.  I really didn’t want to give counter space to a four slotted toaster, so I added a huge toaster oven.  Go figure.  I just had more room where it sits than I do where my toaster sits.  It’s all about real estate and location. 

I cooked some orange danish as a treat for the kids in it, but I ended up over-cooking them a bit, getting used to it. 

I really liked it to keep supper warm in a small space on the counter last night.  The Hub didn’t get in for supper until almost 8, and the homemade biscuits, baked lemon pepper chicken, and rice with chicken broth were all still toasty.  We ate supper by candlelight and low lights, all seated at the table.  Once Upward season starts, I imagine we won’t have many of THOSE nights, and I’ll miss them. 

Tonight is the first cheerleading practice.  I’m taking a squad, my daughter’s, because I want to help out.  I wanted her to be challenged this year, which is a great goal.  However, I’ve never cheered.  So, there.  Rah, rah, rah!  Should be a hoot.

Boy Wonder’s teacher has been sick with mono and some other health problems this year.  I’ve been concerned about him having 2/3 of his teachers out for extended times this year.  I said, “How did your teacher do on her first day back?  She was smiling and seemed happy when I saw her. “  He said, “Mom, she’s like grandma, she is always smiles and is happy, no matter how much she is hurting or how much pain she’s in.”

I don’t think I have much to worry about…I think he’s learning just fine.

Red had a sub yesterday as well.  We said, “How was your sub today?”  Six year old Red said, “Great!”  We said, “Well, what made it great?”  He said, “She was really super nice.  She didn’t yell at us at all, not once the WHOLE DAY LONG!  Not ONCE!”  I said, “Do most subs have to yell?”  He said, “Oh, yeah.  Most of the time.” 

Poor guys.

Kids learn so much about people at school. 

Boy Wonder was on the computer for 1.5 hours last night trying to teach a friend how to set up Madden ’08 (football computer game) on the net.  You can play with other kids on-line.  He has the gift of teaching and is so positive with other people.  It’s impossible to get frustrated as much as he laughs.  Such a joy.  He’s like his Dad…so great with people.

The Cube didn’t go well last night.  I had to start over four times after getting it close again.  I’m stuck.  I need some time to think.  I tried it again today while I watched CNN and had to stop.  I need an edge switcher sequence without disturbing the green side.  Well, ya’ll just pitch right in.  I know, it’s very exciting.  I can be such a nerd.

Well, I’m getting boring.  I’d better wrap this up.

Today in my prayer-time/shower, I was praying about “PURSUE”.  Here’s my current challenge:  give five things5 meaningful touches, 5 words of encouragement, 5 positive outlooks, 5 words of encouragement, 5 thoughts about meal planning, 5 attempts at prayer time, Bible time, FIVE.  Think FIVE.  I live in a family of five.  They all need five things from me a day…at least 5 attemtps.  One isn’t enough. 

To FIVE!

What “FIVE” attempts do you need to make at something today?  I’m interested.

My “ONEs” for the Year

One word for the year…that’s what I’ve been thinking toward the last few years.  One phrase.  One scripture.  One thing. 

I can do that.

Today Sunday School, I forgot my short story book…where prayers are made: ”Lord, help!”

The early AM services helped move us into the direction of resolutions–where I wanted to go.  I’d made stars for the kids to write their “one word”, but I needed a story to tie it together before class.

We talked about a short word or phrase goal for the year.  Some of mine have been:  “Smile.”  “Joy.”  “Shine”.  “Seek peace”. 

When class started, I said, “Does anyone know what ‘resolution’ means?”

By the time we finished, I was teaching them about pictures and clarity and computer screen resolution and pixels…and we decided that “resolutions” lead to “higher resolution”…a clearer picture in our lives of Christ.  Now, how cool is that?

We put our one word on a star and decorated it with sequins, putting thoughts around the one wor that gave us some direction as to how to attain the one word goal.  Finally, I helped them find scriptures that spoke to that goal.  Everytime I shared a key word I’d focused on, one of them would pipe in spontaneously with a song to go with that keyword.  Eli was the first, then Keely, then others.  I told them they were like the funny  little mice on the movie “Babe”. 

After they shared their words:  “health, active, attitude…(great thoughts)”, I shared mine:

Ta-Da!  It always feels like magic of some sort when I get my “new word” for the next year.  It usually comes from repeat exposure, a sense of awe and inspiration that comes–something that I can’t get out of my head.  Usually something that surprised me or caught me as “new” or relevant or needful.  Not necessarily divinely inspired in any spiritual moment…just something I can focus on as a whole and be walking in the right direction in seasons where things may feel “fuzzy”.

This year’s came from a scripture Bro. Ray brought out about a month ago, 2 Timothy 2:22.  All three of these have similar and basic elements that describe an effective walk with Christ:  turning, seeking, and pursuing. 

1. Psalm 34:14 (Support verse, OT)
   Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
    
2. 2 Timothy 2:22 (My One VERSE)
   Flee the evil desires of youth {[note to self:  think about what those are]}, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
    
3. 1 Peter 3:11 (Support verse, NT re-quoted))
   He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

I’d like to add this year to teach them to my kids.  Key verses.  I can do that.

Jesus Had a Step-Dad

It simply just never occurred to me:  Jesus had a step-dad.  

Joseph was obscure.  We know little of him.  But, we cannot estimate his impact on the life of Jesus. 

We know that Joseph honored and helped Mary and tried to preserve her dignity. 

Joseph’s response ”How can this be?”  showed he was real and honest and needed a little time…time to work things out in his heart.  And…he needed a little help, an encounter with with God “understand” enough to obey. 

Joseph was a woodworker, skilled in his trade, a provider for his family. 

Joseph was a dreamer (unlike Mary who Gabriel spoke directly with). 

Joseph was immediately obedient to “dreams” from God.  

Scripture likely keeps Joseph obsure, likely  to keep our eyes on his heavenly Father, who we should emulate the most.  We would have it no other way. 

Joseph was obviously the right man for the job.  The perfect choice. 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for showing me something new.  Ten years ago, this information would not have impacted me.  But, today, it does!  Something new every day in the Christmas story!

Source:  Michael Card’s, The Promise, A Christmas Devotional Book

Blogging Took Up All My Words…Apparently

Well, if you think the last couple day’s post have been a change of wind, they have!

I found that I was using so many of my “words” online that I really didn’t have much to say by the time The Hub got home.  My laughs were used up, and my words were gone, and he’s been so busy this fall, it didn’t matter.  It was helpful.  Now…it matters.  It’s nice to be missed, however, I have some restructuring to attend to.

Having comments turned off has made me appreciate the conversation of my family more.  I have a broad circle of friends here!  It’s great to know you can sustain me in tough seasons, and this summer and fall were hard in a number of ways.  We continue to face challenges even now. 

Tonight, I even watched a movie mid-week with The Fam:  The Santa Claus.  I laughed my head off.  Nope, I’d never seen it before.

We started some Christmas giving tonight…my daughter bought us all presents today at the school store with her character counts money!!!  She came home steathily, wrapped them like a pro, and delivered them tonight, not able to wait!  It was so sweet.  Now, that is holiday spirit…spontaneity and love and sacrifice.  What a sweetie!  I got a Mozart tape.  I will enjoy it.  She asked if I would share it with her.    That’s my girl.  The others got Christmas ornaments, very nice ones, outdated from card store editions.  We LOVED them. 

I bought some a Christmas card stamping kit today at Rite Aid.  The delightful little fun stamps turned out to be a bout 25 cents a piece, so I just couldn’t resist the urge to make a few cards, though I generally like store bought.  We got a card making kit last year, and Golilocks and I made a few during a snow day last winter.  Thought I’d see if I could churn a few more out.  It was fun…a change of pace.   They have 2-3 more if you want to look…the stamps were nice.  $10 for the kit.  I usually don’t like wood block kits, but as they are all Christmas and fit in one tidy box, I can store them away after the season with ease. 

I ordered a few gifts online today.  Lovin’ the online gifting. 

I am staying caught up…read through Ezekiel 25 today.  Man.  Weirdness there.  I don’t guess I’ve ever read all these prophets, much less straight through.  It’s having a bit impact on me.  Mainly, in terms of my sense of what is important to God:  the poor, the needy, the orphan, the widow, and keeping him first at heart.  Those issues are repeated by the prophets like a parents talking to a teenager:  over, and over, and over, and over.  I realize that I have not kept the things most important to the heart of God close enough to my heart.

Also emphasized is the discipline of God.  He said in the last chapter I read, “I had covered your sins, but your rebellion made me remember them all”.  Isn’t that how it works with most of us?  Character breeds trust–lack of character destroys it.

Also, the huge enemy of our souls:  pride.  Pride in beauty.  Pride in wealth.  Comfort.  Plenty.  Coveting other nations, other ways, other loves.  Not caring for our children enough, and their spiritual heritage.  Oh Lord…we have much work to do. 

Well, that’s all for today.

Thanks for your blog-ship!  (Comments are dis-abled intentionally for this post.    Blessings!!!)

Goldilock’s Birthday Video/Quotes

Our “Goldilocks”:  9 Years Old Today.  This is a slideshow I put up for her of the festivities, the baking and cookies and party. 

The girls also loved watching a second slideshow I’d put up on the kitchen computer of her 8th year during the party.  We couldn’t pull them away from it to open gifts!  I told my friend I wanted a slideshow of my year with all my friends standing there with their eyes glued to the screen telling me how cute I look!  Only nine year old girls.  Crazy.  

An hour and a half into the party, the six girls all came storming into the kitchen squealing as only six girls in tea party dresses can:  ”Mom, Mom!  Guess what!  Guess!  MOM!!!” 

“What girls?” 

“All.  Of. Us. {pant, pant} We all…All.  Our.  Middle.  Names.  Are. ELIZABETH!!!!!!!  ALL OF US!!!!!! {jumping up and down, up and down, up and down!!!!!!!!}

The Mommies and Daddies laughed hysterically. 

What are the odds of that?

~~~~~~~~~~~

The girls wanted The Hub to be their “butler”.  He brought out three ties and let them all choose–nothing like a bright red tie to say “festive”.  Good choice, girls!  Dad, you rock!

~~~~~~~~~~

Bedtime:

Mom:  Come give me my first big 9 year old hug!  I’ll see how I like it! 

G:  Okay.

Mom:  Hey, these are pretty good!  I like 9 year old hugs!

G:  I liked 8 year old hugs, too.  {a bit sadly}

Mom:  Me too.

G:  I can’t get my arms around you good all the way, sit up some. {My feet were a little dead by that point}

Mom:  {sitting up some}  Mmmmm.  Now, that’s a good hug.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red (my 6 yr. old son) :  “This is the best tea party I’ve ever had!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Boy Wonder, 2PM:  “Girls?!!!!  How many?  Do I have to stay?  Can I go to Ryan’s?  Can he come here?  How long do I have to stay?  What do you mean I can’t wear my Colts t-shirt?  What do I have to wear anyway?  GOSH!” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Boy Wonder 2PM:  “Ryan is here?  YEAH!”

Older Boys 3PM:  “These cookies are GOOoood!  Can we have some punch?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A good party.  I was waiting on a few guests and forgot we were supposed to make crowns!  Oops.  Oh well!  The girls were really cute arriving in their dressy clothes and shawls.  My mom came all decked out.  We couldn’t decide if she was going to a tea party or “the church lady” from SNL.  She’s a hoot.

Did you see Kim in the slideshow?  She made a debut appearance and it totally made my day.  Thanks for mustering some energy to drive over with your girl for a few minutes.  You look great, girl.  I posted the pic on your blog!  www.singmehome.wordpress.com

Everybody, thanks for sharing our day with us.

I wonder, could we not have the pow wow on the same day as the Parent-Teacher Conference?

Teacher conferences went really well yesterday. It’s a good thing.  We’ve had enough stress in other areas!  God is good! 

Yet, God keeps us humble.  We had a three-some skirmish in the car pick-up line yesterday from my spawn due to…normal life situations and poor responses, technically speaking.

Family conference last night, dig out the truth, talk about better ways to respond in times of crisis.  We had to apologize to the principle today.  He’d passed me in the hall yesterday to tell me if I’d heard about the pow-wow in the car pick up line.  Thankfully, I already had. 

Something about a firemen’s hat stretchy elastic neck cord broken by Goldilocks while she was trying to straighten it on his head  (Don’t touch the new stuff, dear).  Boy Wonder seeking humorous justice, putting Goldilocks in a body lock; Red taking the opportunity to seek justice, kicking the fire out of her shin. 

Lots of yelling and crying.  Yes, a true  “pow wow”.  A teacher notified the principle about the “Wonder Kids” having said Pow Wow.  

The principle told me as I arrived for the teacher conferences ”I guess you heard about the little pow wow in the car line today?”  “Yes, I told them I was very disappointed.  What’s your version of the story.” ”….so, I checked it out, and it looked like a problem a mom should handle.”, smiling and understanding, thankfully.  

Thank you, Lord for great staff.  It was raining cold rain yesterday.  Poor staff already had their hands full.  Whew.  Motherhood is not for wimps, let’s all say it in unison.

Well, big event for today:  my laundry room seriously need a woman’s touch.  And…that means I need to go find a woman. 

Seriously, it’s 8:30,  I’ve checked email, returned numerous, been to the grocery, got everyone “jerseys” found for a jersey day I didn’t know about (we already wore them earlier this week…hello!”, made pancakes from scratch (only one cup of Bisquick does not a breakfast make!), after spending 15 minutes digging for jerseys now running alte, dealt with the dog’s potty needs (with pancakes on the stove), made up syrup from raw sorgum and white syrup mix (can’t find the sryup jug with it pre-mixed and ready for microwaving), and got dressed to get three kids through a brief group apology at the school. 

It seems like time to rest to me.

But, alas, I need to get my house in order.

Today while at the small grocery store in town looking for chips for my kid’s lunches, I saw on the top row, pickled eggs in a glass jar.  Now…1.  if they sell pickled whole boiled eggs, they should NOT be beside the Doritos.  That’s just WRONG.  2.  We sell such a thing?  3.  I ask about this novelty item in the check out line and the lady says to me, “Oh man!  Those used to be in aisle five, by the pig brains.” 

I’ll just stop with that.