I have 3 goals set for myself everyday . They are shower, do my devotions, and make dinner. Rarely do I ever accomplish all three. I know what you are thinking, that doesn't seem that hard to do. But trust me, it is. Taking a shower seems simple, but there are three people that have to be occupied safely in order for me to do it. "Get up early" you say... but I will tell you it's easier said than done. I think at this point in my life having any semblance of a regular schedule for myself is hard to accomplish. I never know when I will be up in the middle of the night with someone, when I will get to bed, when I will have time for laundry, the list goes on.... my tasks exceed my ability at this point. I'm not complaining (right now at least), I'm just convincing myself by typing it out that there is grace for me. I think I tend to be a little more legalistic than I like, especially when it comes to my devotions. I have a terrible guilty conscience when I don't do them.... and I don't like that I sometimes choose to do other things other than my devotions. I'll tell you I'm a lot happier with myself when I make the time to sit, read, and pray.
Anyway! I accomplished 2 out 3 today, I'll let you guess which one wasn't done.
Today we hit up the library again... me on my own, with all three. I'll say we didn't stay long, but all in all, not a bad trip. We picked some new books for the kids, and I picked two new books for myself. Another one about the Holocaust, and a biography of Tony Blair's wife (I think). I chose mine super fast because JD was running low on obedience energy, so we'll see how they turn out.
Here is a common scene in our house of late:
And Capri in her new Pinkalicious "Pretzel" Dress. I told her some people would call that a peace sign, she insisted it's a pretzel, and I think that's just fine. She had been wearing that dress since yesterday afternoon when she got it, she even slept in it. She had to take it off tonight because she spilled dinner on it.
All I can say is I remember the days well...haha though I NEVER had 3 so close together...but I think I came close in that I had 3 JD's...haha It was easier I think for me in that I have ALWAYS been a morning person...so I would get up pretty much at the same time NO MATTER WHAT time I went to bed or if I was up in the middle of the night etc. It's been an issue and problem for me pretty much my whole life. But when my kids were young, I got into the habit of stepping from my bed, to the toilet, to the shower....which meant I was in the shower no later than 6:30 (and usually much earlier) everyday...which meant I was usually showered and dressed before any of them were up, or at least (back in those days) before Jeff had left who could at least somewhat work the baby until I got there....I do remember now that I am thinking back, that when Mel was little she would wake up (or I would wake her up) around 6 and nurse her first as I was dying and full and showering didn't work well with full breasts. haha then if she dozed back off (which she usually did especially if I woke her) I'd pop her back in bed or lay her down beside Jeff while I showered.....For me, showering and dressing (which usually included putting on my makeup etc,) was sooooo critical I just couldn't bear the day when it wasn't done first thing. Really still can't....If I was in my night gown in the morning, my kids would ask if I was sick cuz it usually meant I was....You are going to be in the same boat as me probably driving your kids to school....it seems like I can not look back and remember things without thinking I was driving someone somewhere ALL the time. Another reason showering and dressing for me came so early...I was always afraid I'd have to get out of the car or someone would see me etc. haha So for years and years and years my habit was, get up, shower, dress, feed kids breakfast, do dishes, yell at kids to hurry, pack lunches, yell at kids more franctically, and then drive whoever was going to school only to arrive back home with whoever was not...and that is when I did my devotions....I was ready to pour a cup of coffee and relax some, and it was usually a good time of the day to occupy whoever was still at home for a little while anyway...I am a VERY VERY ROUTINE person, and it is all that ever works for me....my problem was summertime when they were all there....a somewhat quite time was almost impossible and my devotions suffered horribly during those times. Unfortunately, I could always tell. (I'm sure others could too) But one thing I can assure you, you don't need to feel guilty...Satan loves that...If there is anyone who understands this "season" (cuz it will pass) in your life it is Him...but on the other hand, skipping for me could quickly turn into my "new" routine so I had to be careful. There were many "seasons" in my life where that was the case, and all it ever really accomplished was making things harder for me.....I think you are doing a FANTASTIC job Larissa. I REALLY REALLY do. You are a great mom, and wife. James is a lucky, lucky man in my opinion. Your heart is in the right place and the Lord is blessing your work already. Capri's remark yesterday proved that I think...and I personally have never seen you be anything but consistent in your discipline with your kids, and you can tell it is something that goes on rather or not you are in front of someone or not as your kids respond and listen....no, they are not perfect, (though Grandma thinks they are as close as you can get) but then who or what is?? They are great....and I am impressed you pulled off the library...haha And you know my feelings on books, and kids being read to etc., so I think this is GREAT!! I love the pic of Jim reading to them. And Capri is soo priceless....the dress is sooo her...I can't believe I wrote this mini novel...haha and all of it just to say...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK....YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!! Love you, mom
ReplyDeleteI personally can relate more than Deb did to the getting a shower. It seemed inevitably someone had woken up early every time I tried to do it at the crack of dawn. Obviously with work I didn't have an option, but I will say that just the night I had Sarah and Dean overnight I had an immense sympathy for those of you still raising young ones. I think to I degree I'd forgotten just what it was like. In fact, I made the comment to Paul "Now I know why I didn't "fix up" in the days of young kids. I was lucky to get a shower!" (exact quote and I'm not kidding) As well I had quite a wake up call when we arrived a bit late to church for Kindergarten one morning as I had to take Sarah...(no further explanation needed) I told Paul I'd never again make a sarcastic remark about the parents running late. Who in the WORLD was I to say such a thing!!!!! How quickly we forget. The really eye opening part was how many of our regular parents I saw over in the infant and toddler rooms while dropping Sarah off. Not only do they have the Kinder kid to drop off, many of them have more than 3 kids to take! I now congratulate them on even showing up at all given the circumstances. Mind you, several of these parents are single moms and dads. I agree with Deb, you're no doubt being WAY too hard on yourself.
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