I had to give myself a reality check today. I look at some people with 3 kids or even more and think, why does it seem so hard for me, and not for them. Why do I feel like a chicken with it's head cut off, and they seem to have it all together? How can they keep things orderly, and I can't (I really do try). Well, it was like I got slapped in the face with a reality check. No one else I know has a 3 year old, 20 month old, and 2 week old. Everyone seems to have a least one in school, and at least on child that can help and assist with the other kids, or chores.
Somedays I want to curl up in a ball and cry that I can't keep the floor clean, or the toys in order, or the dishes all done. Then, again I have a reality check. My kids are all young. They all still need my constant attention. Jacob is barely an independent thinker yet. Micheal (our pastor) gave a great message on Sunday about parenting needing to be our primary ministry. That was a great thing for me to hear. It won't matter how clean or orderly my house is if I have children that don't love and know Jesus. Life isn't about the best things, nicest clothes, smartest, cutest, or most athletic kids. It's about raising our kids to know and love Jesus.
I know with everything inside of me that God has called me to be a stay at home mom. He has blessed and taken care of us in so many ways. It took me a couple years to embrace this, but I love my kids, to be honest, I love my life- I wouldn't trade it(most days). I would just like the standards or expectations (either implied, or self assigned) that I have to be lowered. I need to accept the fact the season of life I am in doesn't require fancy decorating, neat and orderly toys, or completed laundry all the time. I do believe all these things are important, and need to be done, but I can't stress about it daily. I need and want to love my kids more, talk with them more, read with them more, play with them more, and teach them to love God and love others more. I don't want to look back in 5 years when they are all in school and wish I would have spent more qualtiy time with them when they were with me at home.
So here is my reality check... This season of what seems to be chaos will pass, and I will have every day to clean, cook, and do laundry. So for this season I am going to embrace my kids, my chaos, and life, so I never look back and say I wish I would have done it differently.
Way to go Steph! I don't and probably will never know what it is to try and manage three small children, a home and attend to a husband all at the same time. It was too much chaos for me to try and do all that with only one child!! Remember to take care of yourself, you can't take care of the kids, home and husband if you aren't cared for as well! God doesn't give us more then we can chew!!
ReplyDeleteAmen and I agree (please remind me that I said that when I get to complaining and moaning) about the petty stuff. I love you!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh when I read your comment! :) I thought of you guys right away when she said it was a girl! Fortunately she seemed fairly confident as she could distinguish the "lips." :)
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine having 3 under the age of 3! I'm not even sure I can manage my two=) I know you're doing an amazing job, though. Keep it up - you'll be an inspiration to me and others.
ReplyDeleteSometimes looking at other people's lives can be like watching a duck cross a lake. You see the calm on the surface but you miss the frantic paddling just below the surface.
ReplyDeleteI have enough trouble keeping up with two and one is in school most of the day now.
You are a wonderful mother and wife, which is much more important then anything else!
ReplyDeleteAndrew said he would like to be a part of your profile now :)
Still haven't figured out how to use my blogger account but I will get it one day.