Life As We Know It

I keep this blog as a way of recording our family's happenings - it is a journal for me. So, I can look back and remember what was on my mind at that time in my life. I've been asked before "If you could be a fly on a wall, what wall would you be on?" That answer is easy - I would be a fly on the wall at my parents' house when Heather, Jeff and I were the same age as my kids. Why? I think it would just be fun to see what life was really like then....did we drive my parents nuts? did my parents look tired and stressed out? were dinner conversations the same then as they are now? was I better behaved than my own children or worse?

So, this may not allow my children to be a fly on the wall. But, someday, they will read it and know just a tiny bit about what life is like for us as parents while the kids are ages 9, 7 and 3. So, here we go...

On food/cooking...I meal plan as much as I can but only plan out about 5 meals a week and leave 2 for going out or fending for yourself. I use the crockpot or the panini press 3-4 nights a week when we have practices, games, and other night activities so people can eat on the go. I don't make very many recipes twice- I like to try a lot of new stuff. This doesn't always sit well with the kids and it's discouraging when their first reaction is negative (we're working on that). Joey is still eating every 2-3 hours which is exhausting; Maddox is touch and go on his appetite; and Saylor has a small appetite for the most part. But, when she is cranky, feeding her seems to help. I don't do a lot of baking but since staying at home, I've done more than I ever have before. I do a lot of frozen cookies or mixes when it comes to baked goods.

On sports...One sport per season is our rule thus far. Basketball, football and baseball are the favorites. Practices for both boys are still about 1 per week - and sometimes 2 per week. Games are still about once a week, but basketball will start to increase with tournaments. Joe coaches Maddox's football team this year, is head coach of Joey's bball team, assistant coach to Maddox's bball team, and "helps" with the baseball teams. Maddox will play for the local Sticks baseball team next year, which he had to try out for so that will be new to us - we will have no parental involvement on that team. Joey's favorite sport is basketball, followed by football. Maddox's favorite sport is baseball, with football and basketball probably a close second. Saylor looked me right at in the eye the other day and said "Mom, I'm going outside to do my drills." She, of course, has overheard me telling Maddox and Joey to go outside and do their basketball drills. But, that cracked me up....we will see where she ends up with sports- only time will tell.  As far as sports schedules go, they are crazy - but our boys love it. And, it is a very good use of all that energy.

On reading...Joey is really into the "I Survived..." series and the Hardy Boys series. Maddox is enjoying A to Z Mysteries and some smaller chapter books. And, Saylor enjoys all books.  The boy sand I read an amazing book, Wonder, together that we all adored. I may not be the best mom at a lot of things but I've come a long way with both boys at trying to develop a love of reading. Reading brings me happiness, but I don't have the time to do a lot of it anymore, which makes me sad.

On sleeping...The boys have to be IN bed UNDER covers by about 8:05 p.m., or I start flipping out (just ask them all)! They then get 20 minutes of reading their books before lights are out. I love seeing them all tucked in reading and when they get up in the morning, they want to tell me about what they read or what they think is going to happen. Saylor is another story.....she's up, she's down, she wants daddy, she wants mommy, she wants water, she wants books, she wants rocked, she wants to know how many minutes til she gets up, she wants her doll, she wants her seahorse, she wants her nightlight on. Those big blue eyes cause nothing but problems for us.

On parenting...We are definitely in the mode of "this is the hardest job in the world" right now. Joey is growing up and testing us in different ways, and we're being asked to let go of more things and it's hard knowing when to cut him slack and when to tighten the rope. It's a delicate balance and knowing what the right punishment and discipline is for the crime has also been hard. I think Joe and I have realized just how bad it sucks to be disappointed in your kids. Although I know their behavior doesn't mean I've failed as a parent, it certainly feels that way. They are a reflection of us. When Derek Jeter was asked how he managed his baseball career and behavior under the biggest spotlight in the world in New York City, he replied "I never wanted to do anything that I thought would embarrass my parents." Well done, Jeter.

On school....Maddox has homework in first grade almost every night. This year is going much better than last year. He loves Math and gets to go work on harder Math with one other kid every day, which he brings up almost every day so I think that he is proud of that. He likes to read and of course, gym is his favorite. Joey loves school and was one of 6 kids in his class selected for a school reading challenge. He says he loves Math, and next week, we will find out where he stands based on test scores. But, of course, gym is his favorite (minus square dancing week). Saylor's preschool is going very well - she talks non-stop about it and loves her teacher. So far, we feel very blessed to not have any problems at school.

On prayers...My nightly prayers always start out around my children and husband's needs. There's always something we need help with. I pray for parental guidance a lot. I remind myself that these children are only mine for a short while, that I'm raising them on loan from God.  I pray for my children's future spouses a lot. That they are being raised in loving, Christian homes, I pray they have good hearts, I pray they are full of gratitude. I pray a lot for my nieces, nephews, and Joe and I's siblings, and parents and grandparents. It seems I always know of someone who needs healing or peace. And, after that, my prayers focus on the list of other people in my life who need an extra prayer. Sometimes the list is long, and sometimes I fall asleep during it. But, I once heard a Pastor say, "Don't feel guilty if you fall asleep during your prayers- God wants you to have peace after you give your cares to him." So, I don't feel guilty anymore- God knows what's on my heart and on my mind. I sometimes talk to God while vacuuming or doing laundry, or while watching Michigan lose. He's been hearing from me a lot lately, let's just say that. ; )

On family time...Most of the time, I feel it's limited as in our family of five. The weeknights go by so fast and 2-3 of those nights are filled with activities. I have been trying to stay home as a family on Friday nights- play games, watch a movie, order pizza, etc. We always do "highs and lows" at the dinner table so we find out a lot of stuff then. I also find out a lot on the way home from school or during snack time after school. So far, the boys seem to share a lot with us, so I'm thankful knowing that will change.

On cleaning...After Saylor was born, I literally let go of the hopes and dreams of having a clean house. If Publisher's Clearing House stopped by randomly with a check, they would most likely be mortified at the sight of my floors. I pick up every single day, then I pick up some more, then I pick up some more, and then I give up. I am frustrated easily by my boys' lack of tidyness. I harp on them a lot, I walk them around making them pick up their trail of toys, clothes, balls, etc. Sometimes I get mad at myself for doing it for them and I remind myself that I want to raise good husbands and so, I harp some more. Joe walks in the door after work and I can see the thoughts in his head saying "What did she DO all day?" but he never says it out loud (he knows better). There's a lot that gets done that isn't seen on my floors - the school scheduling, the car pooling, the homework checks, the school forms, the home maintenance stuff, the laundry, the gift giving, the thank you notes, the party planning, the groceries, the errands, the suppers, the playing with the kids.....you don't "see" any of that. What you see is on my floors. I AM organized- so I get points there. But, with three kids at young ages, I just cannot guarantee a clean house. Luckily, it stopped bothering me 3 years ago. Blame it on Saylor.

That's our life right now. It's busy, chaotic, crazy, messy, loud & challenging...but it's a good life. At the end of every day, our cups runneth over, our blessings are abundant and we are surrounded by love. That's what counts.