Hi. What are you doing? Right now I’m listening as Nathan reads to the kids book 1 from The Chronicles of Narnia. We are being wowed as some things are becoming clear in hindsight (since we’ve finished the entire series and are now on to Hamlet). I actually could not bare to stay awake during the final Narnia book, and Hamlet is going to be a slow read as we read through footnotes and summarize and sync our understanding of each scene. I really wish the kids were asleep right now because it is 10pm.
I’ve been reading a lot. I’m doing a lot of things and I’m finding myself going to bed later and waking up earlier most days. If I don’t think about all that is going on I’m just fine. I don’t like feeling overwhelmed and I’m pretty sure I’ve overextended myself. If I slow down just long enough I slowly begin to realize just how overwhelmed I could be. So, I say keep moving and just get it done. I can’t stop to think about what all I have to do. I just have to do it. At this point trusting in God is a choice that I choose.
…and Nathan just said, “When we were growing up we didn’t have youtube or Facebook. We read books.” He’s reading a Bible story now and paused to explain that today people climb up Mt. Ararat to see what people believe is Noah’s ark. Moriah wanted me to type “people climbing up Mt. Ararat in Turkey to see Noah’s ark” in the youtube search engine. And now I feel old just because Nathan said when we were growing up.
…and Moriah just gave me a list of things she and Noah are going to do to help ease my burden. She and Noah are going to make breakfast and do all the things they are supposed to do without me asking. So sweet those little munchkins. I hope we can preserve this sweetness during the teen years. Ah, the teen years.
My neighbor was just talking about how in 5 years Moriah will have a cell phone, a Facebook page, texting, tweeting, etc. I don’t like it. I want Moriah to use a fax machine, write handwritten letters and deliver them on a horse. I also want her legs to stop growing. It’s going to be harder to embrace maturing children than I ever anticipated. Lord help!
Did you know I have had the same basket of folded laundry on my floor for about three weeks? What is even more pathetic about that situation is that none of the clothes in that basket are clothes I can wear together without looking like Punky Brewster.
Anyway, I just called to say hi.
I love you, Andrea. The Punky Brewster reference made me laugh. I have one entire basket filled with clean socks – many of which have no partner.
Let me reassure you that in 5 years Moriah is going to be a lovely – and perhaps tall – teenager you can be proud of. You and Nathan are doing a great job of parenting. Just as you “can’tthinkaboutallthereistodo” right now, you’ll simply do what needs doing as you go along and trust God with what is ahead. There will be grace for it, and you are likely to find you can actually enjoy it. I know I am.
I did have to fess up to Noah when he asked if we also watched TV when we were kids (after I told him we just read books when we were kids).
I really miss seeing the kids! I was surprised when looking at the ‘all grown-up’ picture of Moriah brought a tear to my eye. She is getting so tall! Any way, I know about feeling overwhelmed. A friend called yesterday, and I’m sure she wished she hadn’t by the time I got through whining & complaining about all I had to do and how overwhelmed I was (which is totally uncharacteristic of me). I had to apologize for unloading on her. For me, a prioritized list helps a lot–if nothing else, it gives me a feeling of being in control of what I have to do.
Reading your blog is really very relaxing…so glad I popped in tonight. I was feeling a little tired after having guests in the home all day and needed a pick me up. I had no chocolate to munch on so came to visit you instead – a much better option in the end 🙂
PS I’m sure you’ll not only preserve the sweetness in your kids but it’ll only increase with age…you guys are gonna have such incredible teenagers!
Kristen, thanks for the encouragement. It has been refreshing to see so many parents that do not have teenager horror stories. It can be done.
Mom, good job venting. I’ve heard that you don’t need to apologize to a good friend for unloading.
Maff, I think that is my favorite compliment about my blog. The interesting thing is that is what we pray our home would be for people–relaxing. I also can’t believe reading my blog satisfied a chocolate craving. 🙂