A Hubby Who Spends His Days Off Chasing Kids

Gabe had yesterday off and it was wonderfully sunny. We decided it was a zoo day. While Lincoln was sleeping, Gabe and Titus played baseball. The other day they went "fishing" in the rain runoff by our house.

Of course the two children that can walk were running everywhere. Gabe was often chasing after them, often with one on his back.

I know exactly how blessed I am. It's such a bonus that my hubby honestly wants to spend all his time off with his kids. What an amazing guy. Forgive my gushing, I'm just uber thankful. :)

Baseball

Nothing says summer like baseball. Probably because I spent my childhood watching it and listening to it on the radio. My dad would often be working on projects outside with the Giants on the radio.

Years ago I reconnected with a friend from high school who had two young boys (about 4 and 2 at the time) whereas Titus was under a year at the time. He told me his boys played baseball from the time they could walk (the same friend once told me heaven must have Giants baseball or it wouldn't be that heavenly). At the time I thought no way. They wouldn't really start sports that early.

Boy was I wrong.

Now my oldest is 4 and will be playing tball this summer. We're watching Giants baseball nearly everyday and playing (catching, throwing, batting) more often than that. Sometimes Lincoln joins in too.

Baseball is so nostalgic and comforting to me. I hope the kids can have that too. Yeah, it's just a game. The players get payed a ridiculous amount of money. The tickets cost an outrageous amount. But there's something about watching that game with your dad, cheering on your team, or connecting with that ball that is just something wonderful.

Patience

Okay, I'm not really thankful for that I am being taught it. That's not really true either, I am thankful for it. It's just that I get angry really easily sometimes. Maybe it's the Welsh in the Scottish in the British in me. Or maybe it's just that I'm human and prone to sin. Either wait, God likes to teach me patience by my dog and my kids. Sometimes my husband. Or my sister. Or my parents. Or my in laws. For my neighbors. Or the mail lady. Or my cooking. Or the dishes. Shall I go on? I think the point is made.

Point being, patience is not something that I am naturally good at. I think that some people have it in spades, but I am not one of them. I'm better at fuming in my head. You know, thinking of all the things you want to say but won't. I'm very good at that. Too bad that's not a spiritual gift.

I think that is one reason God allowed me to get married young and have a lot of kids. He takes every opportunity to teach me. Well, I'm thankful for it, because I need to learn. :) Good thing God is patient with me.

Quiet Time

Sometimes there's nothing like a moment of peace and quiet. That time when Jack Jack is nursing and Lincoln is sleeping and I have told Titus sure, you can watch Curious George. :) When you know your children are safe and content and you can just sit on the couch for a little ....almost guilt free.

I'm so thankful for my little misters who let me have down time occasionally. Helps all of us to be ready for the afternoon. And today I'm thinking-park! :)

Cooking shows

I know it may sound kinda funny, but I love cooking shows. They have help me learn about cooking more than pretty much anything else I've done. Specifically PBS shows. They are not something I have time to watch very often anymore. Not that I mind, but I am more often watching children's cartoons. And Netflix does not offer a wealth of cooking shows. So when I get an hour or so well lincoln apt and Titus is not in the house, I try to get my fix. I really do enjoy cooking, and I like to be better what I do. Truth be told, I am not easily satisfied with my own cooking. Nor am I a perfectionist, so it's kind of a funny combination.

That said, I love to pick up tips and learn new recipes. And I love to serve others I cooking. If only I can find a way to make a service ministry out of it. I am hoping that someday that will be a possibility, especially when I have more time on my hands. But for  right now, I will snuggle my Jack Jack and watch PBS. :)

Today

Ever since I got pregnant the first time, I've half waited for something to go wrong. Every ultrasound held my breath for bad news. Now that I have 3 healthy boys who are going strong, I don't so much worry as I do hold my breath. I don't think that will change if we have more children. I don't worry about falls or broken bones. It's more some underlying fear that one day they will be taken from me. That one day I will never be able to hold those I love again.

I tend to have a negative outlook. I see the worst first, process it, and only then can I move forward and be positive. Sometimes it's a quick process and other times I just have to push it to the back of my mind. It means I often make stupid comments or react poorly.

It's how I protect myself. We all have ways of doing that. I'm pretty good at trusting God until it comes to taking away my kids and hubby. See, even that phrase "taking away" proves my point. I believe in the Bible. I do trust the Lord. So I know this fundamental truth-these boys are not mine. They all the Lord's. My job is temporary, His is eternal. They will be gone someday...if only just to college or marriage.

I think that's how I survive everyday. Knowing that they are God's and He will take care of them. Gabe and I will raise them the best we can to know and trust the Lord and leave it all up to Him.

So I am thankful for today. I know Heaven is waiting and we will be there someday, praising God for all eternity, but until then we have today. And I am thankful for the grace that makes even this temporary life wonderful.

Super Why and the power to read

Lately Lincoln has and dressing up as SuperWhy. he runs around pointing to the book on his chest and saying "with the power to read". Not only do I love that he is being a reading superhero, but the fact that it is encouraging him to read. I worried a little with Lincoln, since he was the second child, that he would not to tell if it looks reading as much as I Titus did. But that has not been the case. In fact, he loves to read the same book over and over and over. It's wonderful to see the boys enjoying books as much as Gabe and I do.

On the flip side, it's also fun to see the boys dressing up and imagining being superheroes. It started all too young but is fun to see. Having boys is an adventure and I'm enjoying it. :)

Time with my boys

Since I was a little girl, all I've ever wanted to do was be a stay at home mom. Now I am and it is completely wonderful. Never would I ever even consider doing something else or working or anything. There is something so almost magical about holding a sleeping baby, reading the same book over and over and over, watching crazy children running around of superheroes play fighting, and especially them until each other thank you and you're welcome. my day time shows consist of pbs fireman sam, lunches are p b j's and carrot sticks for extra energy (thank you Super Why), and we have pancakes for breakfast multiple times a week. I change close to 10 diapers a day, and watch said diapers every other day. I have only managed to scrapbook 5 pages in the last 9 months. I have a checklist in my head of projects to get  done that I don't know when will be done. going to the grocery store it is Somewhat like going to a circus. I hear "you must have your hands full" more often than I can count. Not have a week goes by without me being peed on. Birthday cards are always late, laundry is almost never done on its appointed day, and the kitchen... well, let's just say I clean it sometimes.

There are people who lament having children- or more so the struggles experience with those children. I will be the first to tell you that it is not just sitting around watching tv, eating chocolate and drinking wine. actually, right now I have to keep track of when I drink the wine so that I don't feed the baby too soon. kinda put a damper on date night. :) most mornings jack comes in bed with us before we get up just to have that 1 more feeding. the older boys almost always wake us up before we are ready. And most likely you're too tired to even watch a movie.

This is the best life I could ever have imagined. I honestly don't understand how many mother would not want to stay with her children. I hate dishes, but bring them on. I love my sleep, but I'll give it up. I gladly sacrifice my personal time. These beautiful children are my life, and I would gladly spend every day with them. Right now Titus  is that a class with his grandma. They are handing out cupcakes we made together and I'm not there to do it. I am okay with this, with multiple children it is bound to happen. I am thankful his grandmother gets to do this with him. And I am thankful for the time with my younger boys. They growing up, and they are bound to do. Soon enough they will be in school, and then what will I do with my time? :) It brings me to tears to think about how my husband to go work to some store and not be here with the family. I know he would be here in an instant if you could. I am so blessed to be covered in dirt and poop and have to wipe crying eyes, answer 1000 why questions, calm down fighting children, wash those dang diapers one more time, and get dinner on the table by 5 pm. I have an amazing husband who helps  without ever complaining, grand parents who love their grandchildren and love the Lord, and a live in sister for some good girl talk and help. I can't imagine it getting better than this.

Lincoln is waking up from his nap. He is dressed as Super Why and runs around saying " with the power to read". This is my job and it kicks ass.

Life

I cannot imagine being so helpless, feeling so worthless, as to end my own life. There was once I did, but it was long ago. The difference I know is God-our Lord Jesus Christ and his redeeming grace. There is nothing we can do apart from that. Apart from that, we do deserve to die. We all deserve the eternal punishment of hell.

It makes me want to scream at the devil. He whispers those awful things to us in our darkest moments. "You have done terrible things. You are not loveable. You are worthless and pathetic. There is no reason for you to continue living." In theory, he is not lying. If not for Christ, he's right. But we cannot forget-we are made in the image of the Most High God. We are His image-bearers and Christ died for us. Then he rose again and lives forever. Oh, that all would come to know that truth before it is too late.

PBS kids tv shows

This may not be super deep but truly I am thankful there is something good for the kids to watch. It's nice to have that time to sit and rest- especially like right now when Jack is sleeping and cuddling with me. Plus shows like Super Why (which the kids loooove) teaches reading and spelling. Even Lincoln is learning his letters. A simple thank you, yes, but I'm still thankful.

Food

Driving home last night, jack was crying quite loud and I thought he might be hungry. It was a quick drive and he'd just eaten so I kept driving knowing I'd feed him soon.

It occurred to me that I have never once with 3 kids had to listen to them truly cry because of hunger. I've never had them cry out for food and know I could not provide it. Even if we're driving and they get hungry, I can stop at any number of stores or fast food restauants.

I am humbled and blessed by how much I truly have. Sometimes I really feel so very spoiled. And I am. But I am so thankful my children have never had to go without.