I'm learning to quit sweating the small things.

These past few days have been rather trying with the kids and their messes. My first instinct is to go ballistic! I think at times my kids make messes on purpose just to see me have a stress attack! I mean, I'm trying to teach them to be responsible and be clean as well, but without obsessing over it! I'm still learning. Every day is a new day to try again. And hopefully, learn from yesterday's mistakes. So grateful for God's forgiveness....and the children's!

I'm learning to quit sweating the small things. In the past, I used to let a piece of paper on the floor ruin my morning...no lie! Now, if someone comes over, they would probably think, "Lizzy, there's no way you ever suffered from OCD!" Lol! Books on the bookshelves are not perfectly lined up, toys are not categorized by type, the dining room has become a campsite with comforters over the table as a tent, the bathroom looks as though a tornado went through after evening baths...

My point is not that we shouldn't keep our homes clean! My kids have chores they do daily, and Saturdays are let-us-get-this-home-clean days, so don't think I've turned into a slob! What I am saying is let the children feel like your home is their home, too! I, too often, made the children feel like the only place they could be themselves was in their own rooms. That shouldn't be the case! They should feel free to be creative throughout the home! (Within reason! I wish the little guys would quit tagging the walls!  ) 

The day is coming that I will miss the toys on the floor, the little ones streaking through the hall after their baths, leaving trails of water behind. I will miss the ruckus of two boys doing the dishes, and yelling because the other keeps throwing a soapy wet sponge at him. I will miss the moments of genius that has left the living room to look like a parade of elephants just went through. Don't sweat the small things. One day you will miss the messes that only happy, laughing, joyous, creative kids can make!

I am sitting here.... I am drained here.... I am alone here....

I am sitting here....

I am drained here....

I am alone here....

I'm so glad that I can feel! Feelings remind me that I am affected by my environment and all those in it. I have to be on my guard on a regular basis because of this. Although these feelings are very real, they can also be very deceiving.

Am I really lonely? Am I feeling this way because man is not approving of me? Or am I feeling this way because I have failed to bring my concerns to the Lord? Yes, I just admitted that. I have to. We were made to glorify God and to be in communion with Him, so when we fail to do this, our hearts become desperate for affection. The truth of the matter is, I have a God that will never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). I must stay grounded in this truth. It is vital to my survival. OUR survival! Why? So we can avoid looking to other gods for company or approval.

A. W. Tozer wrote in his book, Whatever Happened To Worship?, "The Chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." How beautiful it is for a believer to come to the knowledge that their whole existence is to glorify their maker! We have come to the realization that in order to enjoy and adore God in eternity, we must do so in time. So, in those moments when I feel like no one's watching, no one cares about what I'm doing, I know who it is I am aiming to please, and can say, "He's watching! He cares about what I'm doing!"

I am sitting here...

I am drained here...

But, I am NOT alone here!

10, yes, 10!

Wow! I only seem to get around to this blog once a year. I would only say it's because of lack of trying, because I'm pretty sure I can fit it in more times. At least once a month.

Well, we have added another to our family. His name is Ezekiel Zion, and he's just a few days over a month.

One would think that adding one more child to 9 should not make that much of a difference, but it has. It seems harder to get into a workable routine. Sometimes I feel as though I'm doing everything ALL wrong! I'll sit with a list that I wanted to accomplish throughout the day, and become discouraged when I realize I only got, at the most, 2 things crossed off.

The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps. ~Proverbs 16:9

This verse encourages me to stop thinking that I must cross all things off of my list before I can declare that I have had a successful day. Too often, I think my writing is in stone and make no room for "interruptions." But those very interruptions are God's way of putting me on the right path He has established for the day!

I have been able, within these past weeks, to have a more personal relationship with my children. We have taken a small break from our curriculum and have been working on life skills. The children have also been able to pursue their own interests which has taught me a lot about them. I'm even considering implementing this "curriculum break" into our curriculum. (Which would not make them curriculum breaks anymore, would they?)

The purpose of this blog is not to come up with some new thought. The purpose is to be yet another witness in the long line of moms that we are all going through a struggle. Take heart. God gave you children, not for them to be a burden. They are a beautiful blessing and we must see them as such. I truly believe that once we see them the way God sees them, we will realize that our days are so full of joy! Believe it or not, children grow. Before long, we will miss the noise and laughter. Enjoy them while they're in your care!

Cheaper by the Dozen?

Okay, so sue me! I haven't updated this blog in about a year! But, I will be more diligent with it.

Today was a super awesome day! We like to think of our home as the "home that parents can bring children of any age to and not feel bad if they break something, potty on themselves, or have a tantrum" home. It was neat today having the Kings over. We did our usual before guests come- clean as if our home is always super clean-but midway through I realized that we had tons of "art" on our walls, so thought, forget it!

At first, I think I was trying too hard (hahaha)! You would think this mom of 9 would know that kids will get comfortable when they're good and ready. I think I finally won Emery over, despite that, because she gave me a kiss without my even asking! (Insert applause.) The kids played, then we went out to the park to enjoy this beautiful day that God has blessed us with. I'm always observing the kids and noticed how at ease my kids were with both Angie and Ryan (the parents). That spoke volumes!

It actually wasn't as crazy as I thought it would be with a family that has 3 kids and our family with 9, meeting for the first time to spend some play time together! Their triplets are a little over 2 years of age so it was easy for my older kids to want to spoil them. A funny scene was watching Israel carry poor Grayson (or is it Greyson?)...he carried him like he was a sack of potatoes! He seemed okay with it, though, and we all got a chuckle. Of course, Elise was enamored by Emery! Why is it that when parents are on a playground, there's this unspoken rule that you must set up a post? Hahahaha...."I'll take the northern sector by the swings....you man the jungle gym..." That was such a random thought, but I bet you're thinking about it!

Ryan & Emery King, and my daughter, Elise.

Israel sliding with Grayson (Greyson?...lol)

Angie King stopping my daughter, Amani, from escaping.

That sure is a lot of kids!

Now I'm thinking about it, actually....I know you've heard of that saying, "It takes a village to raise a child," so why don't we actually adopt that into our thinking? I love seeing others look on my kids with love in their eyes and caring for them as if they were their own. Can I be honest, it makes being a parent so much easier! You expect my family to do this (and trust me, they do), but when someone who isn't related does this, it makes my soul smile. (While typing this, I immediately pictured my friend, Krista, reading the riot act to my crew.)  What has happened to "love they neighbor as thyself"? That's another topic that I'll hold-off for now, but it seems to be a recurring theme in my mind, so I'll address it in the future.

So, we hope that the Kings enjoyed their visit and will return soon....I need another kiss from Emery!

First day blogging

     So, I really don't know where to begin! I debated on whether or not I should start off with a formal introduction to our family, but there's really nothing formal about us! So, I thought I should just start from, well, now! 
     Today started off sooooo great! I woke up with Aaron at about 5:20 am (we like to start off our days by praying and eating breakfast with each other before he heads off to work). Well, he leaves, I go to bed to rest before the crew awakes, and I hear water. Dripping water. Pouring water. I immediately ran (walked very fast, actually...haha) upstairs, knowing that it had to be coming from the toilet, and opened the door to find water all over the floor! Ugh! So I cleaned it up, turned off the water supply to the tank, and head back downstairs to lie down for a bit. My plans were thwarted, because I start hearing the water...again. Although I'm not a plumber, I was able to figure out that the tank had a leak. So, I emptied the tank and the bowl of all the water, and cleaned up the floor. This all happened before 7:00 am. By that time, the kids were up and ready for grub. Sigh. 
     I'll spare you all of the details of the day, but I will say that my crew has not been on their best behavior! Maybe I'm making too much of it because I'm pretty cranky...NO....they are not cooperating! It took me about an hour to get Ethan to nap, all the while, Abbi and Ezra were being loud in the living room, when I explicitly told them to talk in whispers while I get the little guys to sleep. I love them to death, but sometimes......
     There was a redeeming time during the day for my children though. Ian and Israel wanted to get lunch ready, and they worked together to make me this awesome dish:

Yes, this is the ACTUAL dish that I photographed!! Scrumptious!

What can I say? They know the way to my heart! (Ian, the oldest, was the chef, and Israel was his assistant.)

     Well, this will have to conclude my first blog, because Ethan is awake. WOW, an hour of work for an hour nap....SHEESH!