Things I am learning. . .

Thoughts for today. . .

So many days I am totally in awe of how amazing my kids are and how grateful I am for them - for all of them! And then other days I am looking at my family and thinking, "oh my goodness, we have so many kids! - What were we thinking?!?!" (I realize four is not really that many but it sure feels like it when all of my friends have none or at most two or three.) In any case, here are some things I am learning as we adapt to being a family of six.

1. Breakfast is important for Mom, too, and I really need to make sure I get some, even if I am not able to until 10am (when I have been up running after everyone else since before 7).

2. Prayer is indespensible and I am going to have to learn to not be upset when my "prayer time" gets broken up into smaller chunks (or ity-bity pieces) because just taking care of these kids is a prayer. (even though I find the calm of contemplative prayer so much more appealing some days :)

3. A baby gate to keep the kids out of the kitchen. . . even if broken twice, MUST be promptly replaced. . . for sanity reasons if none else.

4. Peanut butter and jelly toast requires two hands to make.

5. I need to make time to brush my teeth every morning. . . even if I am not going anywhere (for some reason I tend to put this off until just before going out the door).

6. Candy may be easier to serve for dessert than fresh fruit, but it is not worth dealing with the sugar highs afterward.

7. My son is so stubborn he will voluntarily choose to not eat for several meals in a row if I don't serve food he likes. But perhaps this is preparing him to fast when he gets older?

8. Inevitabely my two-year-old will want to use the potty the minute I sit down to nurse the baby. . . and whatever I choose to do (help him - to the baby's detriment, or tell him to wait and that I will change his diaper in a minute) will seem like the wrong choice at the time.

9. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. . . knowing who to ask, though, can be tricky (and I would recommend not asking your spouse after a rough night of kid rearing).

10. As strong as I think I am. . . I still require sleep to function and no amount of caffine will make up for it . . .not in the long run anyway.

And for some reason I have a an odd surplus in my pantry. So if anyone has any amazing recipies for eggs, kidney beans, black beans, wheat bread, and juice, let me know.