....don't let this picture fool you.....it has been a doozie of a week......
.....our social calendar has had us partying like rock stars and although festive and fun filled; we are beginning to fizzle out.....babies aren't sleeping, the girls aren't being very obedient, I am repeating myself way too many times; which turns into me raising my voice more than I'd care to do......
....we still haven't had the time to get our tree yet and that bothers me.....sort of.......I'm stuck somewhere in between the pressure of the things I should be doing to make Christmas special in our home, but also have almost fully released myself of any unrealistic expectations for this year......I do know that Christmas memories for my children are more importantly set by the tone within our home......I would much rather have less decoration, less Christmas baking and fewer gifts in exchange for more time of enjoying one another this December.....I've postponed any plans I originally had two weeks ago when we first moved in to get settled......between three little ones and their schedules, Thanksgiving, Elsie's birthday and now prepping for Christmas; I can not focus on organizing my living space too......let alone visit this blog or get any shut eye......
....oh, did I mention my husband?.....
......I've had to cancel on a few planned festivities because our family could use some down time.....my children need quiet time to play in their new home with Christmas carols humming in the background and sugar cookies waifing their sweet smell from the oven.....we have had none of that and I have to bring our cranky train to a screeching halt.......
....life does roll on, however; amidst the hustle and bustle......we have crankiness going on everywhere for everything and first hair cuts are no exception......
....sweet boy can pout a lip like I've never seen.....
....although, I may have cracked the smallest of smallest smiles trying to make him gush over his new high and tight cut.....
....tears and all, Brody wears the comb over quite well.....
....and at least it's no longer a mullet......
.....he has had a touch of special attention this week.....our Tuesday morning began at 4:50 am when Brody decided he wasn't having his dark room or crib any more.....by 6am we were already dressed and bright eyed and at 7am when the girls began to descend from the stairs already requesting a hot breakfast, Brody was already on course two......as he reached for the syrup, he rolled off of his booster chair and thumped to the floor; which resulted in a cry that all Mommas know well.....the something hurts really bad cry......the he's not going to shake this off cry......the one that makes your heart ache because you know they are in a lot of pain......
......it was a harried 45 minutes to get out of the house......no one was dressed, combed, brushed or packed for a long school day and Brody screamed painfully the entire time......I knew his arm wasn't broken because it wasn't swelling, but he also wasn't using it and would wince when I touched it.....somehow I managed to get the posse ready to walk out the door one handed......Brody sobbed on my one side while I assisted the girls with the other......I also carried very loud conversation with the girls over the high pitched shrieking......some conversations, like I will only wear my purple socks were more terse than others, as the blood curling screams didn't seem to instill any urgency in my girls.....
.....pulling on Brody's coat and adjusting his car seat straps was absolute mayhem......I almost lost it myself during both of these routine tasks and by the time I got the girls to school and Brody to the Dr. for an Xray, he was calm and sweetly nestling his head in the crook of my neck.....
....apparently he popped his elbow out of socket from the booster seat fall and when I put his coat on and strapped him in the car seat, I unknowingly popped it back into socket......
....sweet boy has had chocolate ice pops in the tub......
....and we've given him more attention than usual for mastering his beloved puzzles and his favorite picture books.....
....he's been the rock star of our home, but not the happiest one....
.....when I confidently and assertively say no because I am in tune with what our family needs; I feel more like a seasoned mother.....not a new one, hesitantly wrapping her newborn in a swaddle or one who is potty training or teaching letter sounds for the first time.....but one with more essence......as with each passing year of motherhood, I grasp at the badge of honor and remember its beauty when I see new lines emerging on my face or skin that sags in ways that it did not used to......
....at my Thursday morning Mom's group today, the mentor Moms passed out a poem they included with our Christmas gifts this year......I thought I would share it......
I gave you life, but I can not live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I can not make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I can not always be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you lovely.
I can teach you kindness, but I can not make you gracious.
I can warn you of sin, but I cannot make your morals.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
.....amen to the things that our children will remember......guarantee it won't be whether your tree was up the day after Thanksgiving or the day before Christmas......they won't remember what was in their stocking or if every bush outside your home had lights or not.....
....they will remember how you read them their favorite story every night, how you combed their hair before bead, or took them on walks on mild days.....they will remember the stories you recited from your childhood, the way you cared for them when they were sick and the way that they could nestle on your lap and feel safe, secure and fulfilled......
.....they will remember the slower days of simply being together.....
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."
James 1:17
