Troopers

My Children, My Jewels

I love my children. They are so good. Sure they are loud, silly, and often say things like, "poopy" and "bum" just to make each other giggle. But when it comes down to it, they are really, really good. And I am grateful.

They have been such troopers lately. We have had an unusual amount of activities going on . . . (I did not list daily home/school/work/exercise activity):

Last Week

Monday: Daniel's birthday party, Major tree Removal, Family Home Evening

Tuesday: William's birthday party, Daniel's interview with the Bishop, my interview with the Bishop.

Wednesday: Activity day with girls, Trek sewing activity night, Young Men activity.

Thursday: Trek family activity

Friday: MOVIE NIGHT (Never ask us to do something on Friday night -- it is reserved for family, fun, and movies!)

Saturday: Young Men's/Scouting loading/hauling/delivering wood, Daniel's baptism

Sunday: Singing at Marquis Care Center with Activity day girls, Regular (3 hour) Church, Ma and Pa Trek meeting (2 hours RIGHT after church, no dinner -- poor kids!)

Busy vs. Simple

Now this may not seem crazy to some (or most), but it seemed like a lot of extra things to me! I did not write the list so people can compare and contrast our "busyness". I am not concerned about how busy so-and-so is compared to me. I will admit it right now . . . I do NOT like being busy. I especially do not like being rushed. I am not validated by the amount of things on my "to do" list. Charles has enough "busy" for the both of us! I like to keep things calm, and peaceful on the home-front. I have always wanted that. When others around me sign-up for one more thing -- I don't. Simple. I like simple. I am a simple person.

As much as I love the simple life, I find it slipping away from me. As the kids grow, and as people seem to think I am capable of certain things -- it is near impossible to do, and there is NO GOING BACK!! Next week Scouting will be added to the "necessary" list. And next year Sammi will be involved in sports and music after school. (We have a deal that they can do any school sport/music things they would like -- with limits, of course.)

There is just going to be a lot of stuff to do, a lot of the time. And it is just going to have to be done. Often times -- done by me. And that is going to be fine. But I WILL be weeding out the non-essential items and chucking them to the curb. Not necessary = not happening!

Grateful

Despite this new found pace of life . . . what I wanted to point out is how very, very, grateful I am for my understanding children. They have been dragged to-and-fro and have spent MANY, MANY, hours playing in the church nursery. (With many more nursery-dates to come!) They have been super-troopers. I sure love them.

To me, family (and family time) is number one on my priority list.

If I do not get enough of it, I can get a little feisty.

Sometimes I have to fight for it -- but it is worth fighting for. ;-)

A NEW DAY requires A NEW WAY.

Insanity:

Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

I know what that means. I have experienced it, personally. And yes, you do start to feel crazy! If you are doing the same things over and over each day and not achieving the desired results --then maybe something needs to CHANGE!!!

Because things are just going to be different around here, we need to do things differently . . .

One thing we have decided to try is getting up earlier to spend time together before the day starts -- in a non-rushed way. This morning it was 5:30 (Ouch!), we went running and the kids were on their bikes. Daniel was crying at first (I threw-off his internal clock!), but as he pedaled he became happier and happier and was a ball of joy when he got home! It will not be that early everyday, but it is something we want to try, especially in the Summer. I spent 2 hours of my morning running and chatting with Charles and spending time with my children -- what could be better than that?

We are implementing other changes, as needed. ;-) It takes time to figure out what works the best!

Time

The kids are just growing too fast. And it seems like someone is making time go faster, daily. Sammi seems taller each day. Daniel is stronger. William is wittier. I am trying to keep up!

I miss those days . . . those days when it was just us, at home, snuggling, playing at parks, reading books, being silly. It was just us together -- NO RUSHING and no real deadlines. It was magical, looking back. I am so glad I was with them every moment. I am so grateful Charles has been willing to do what it takes for me to be with our sweet children. I would not trade that time -- for anything.

I am sure mothers with older children can catch the tone of my words and understand. Sometimes . . . I just want to go back to those days, those simple times. Those sweet days. Sometimes my heart longs to go back . . . but I can't. I just can't. And any new child brought to our family would be swooped-up in the action of the now. It will never be quite the same.

So, for you mothers of babies and young children . . . HOLD THEM CLOSE! Enjoy every precious moment. Snuggle their little checks and marvel at their faces. It goes too fast and you will wish these days back again . . . I promise, you will. Go snuggle those babies with love . . . one day they might just have to be troopers, too.