Yesterday was madness in the parsonage... I should have received the
Mommy Loser Award...if there is such a thing. Although, if you would have asked me yesterday, I would have totally blamed it on how wild and outta control my children were being. (In fact, if you talked to me in person yesterday...I did...sorry:)
I have read blog after blog from wonderful moms preparing themselves for summer...just jumping at the chance to have their kids home and spend time with them. Then there's me. I love summer...but I cringe a little bit at the chaos that comes from being with three little boys all the time :) I love them more than life...but it doesn't mean that they don't drive me a little bit crazy now and then ;) Yesterday is proof.
By last night I was already starting to feel the Holy Spirit's conviction about, well, basically my overall behavior yesterday. I realized that I need to switch to summer mode. I need to make a new routine with my children. I need to enjoy them. ENJOY them.
This morning I was reading one of my favorite, FAVORITE blogs. Stephanie is a mom to boys, and one beautiful little girl, and she's a few steps ahead of me in the mommy journey. I am learning so much through her sharing her journey...which is really what blogging is sort of about. I read several of her posts that she had written to her children and each one encouraged me to be a better mommy...starting now. Go give her some blog-love, you'll be a better mom for it. Oh, and take some Kleenex (unless you're unlike me and do not cry at everything :)
Today is Noah's last day of school...let the summer fun and chaos begin. I'm praying for God's guidance in figuring out our new summer groove :)
- Sarah@Life in the Parsonage
- Wife to Ben, who also happens to be the Pastor of a sweet little church in a tiny little town. Mama to three boys and little Lucy. We live in the parsonage, 27 steps from said little church. This is the journey...it involves lots of run-on sentences.
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The Fringe Hours
I think I go to bed every night with that mantra on my heart--"Gonna do better...gonna do better" but the next day turns out pretty much the same as the day before, guilt because I work full time, guilt because I know we can't afford for me to quit, guilt because I did not take enough time, guilt because I snapped at them to leave me alone when I just needed 10 minutes to myself after work, guilt because I KNOW BETTER, but I still do no better, guilt beacuse I fell down so many times and did not walk in the path that I know God is urging me to--but sometimes it is so hard, then I have 2 little sets of eyes watching me fail. You are not alone, best I can figure out is to keep asking the Father for help and remembering that it may seem like chaos to you but to them it is home!
ReplyDeleteI am glad school is over, but the kids come home used to being occupied ALL the time. It takes a while for them to "settle in".
ReplyDeleteAnd why oh why does the end of school have to coincide with my "three days of grouchy"?!!
Happy summer! It's so hard, I am having one of those weeks! I need something like the pool or something structured in, I think they are bored bored bored! Have a good day hon!
ReplyDeleteIt will be a great summer Sarah! The first week or so everyone is so excited about not being in school, they are a little (ok a lot) crazy, it will all settle into itself.
ReplyDeleteI love the relaxed schedule of summer, but I also love it in September when we are back in a routine. ;o)
It is always an adjustment to get into the summer groove, but I'm sure you will settle in ok. I'm praying it will be your best summer yet...for you and your kiddos! ENJOY!
ReplyDeleteI'm with ya sista!!! My kids got out of school last week and I'm ready to pull my hair out!! Then I come to work and talk to these moms that are going here and going there and have all these fun things planned and I feel like a mommy loser!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that blog post you referred to! wow! You can read my comment on her blog.
ReplyDeleteI too hate change at times....I love routine, sameness, repetition,....BUT
remember it IS glorious SUMMER!!!! NOW maybe we can get together sometime!!! With the boys even!
love you! thanks for keepin it real!
It is really different isn't it? K is not a super high maintenence little guy, and he was only going to morning preschool, but now that he is here all day every day I feel exhausted! :) I'm really with you here.
ReplyDeleteMy House if FULL to overflowing with running, yelling, arguing, et. My boys are full force 98% OF THE TIME. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I find myself hiding in the bathroom to refresh my mind. Here's to quiet potty room time - Hint - make sure to put a soothing book in there to look at - even a page at a time! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe last day of school was always bitter/sweet for me....so excited to have time with my 3 kids, but not looking forward to all the chaos, loudness, tons of glasses and dishes to wash, more things to pick up.....on and on. But now I sit here with one college student and 2 teenagers and the only one I get to spend time with is the one who doesn't drive yet!! My middle son got up after I went to work yesterday and came home after I went to bed...I never saw him ALL day. So, that being said, DO enjoy your boys, but DON'T beat yourself up when things get hairy and you lose it......we all did!!
ReplyDeleteI made it through Stephanie's blog without crying until I got to the prayers for her kids. Ugh. She can really pull hard on the emotions. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteI hope it is a great summer for you and the kids. Thanks for the fav blog link...I'll swing by.
ReplyDeletePraying for you dear girl...whew, three boys...all summer...yikes. Thanks for the heads up about Stephanie's blog...I'll be checking it out soon. Hang in there...I know it's impossible to imagine now, but you will actually miss the crazy chaos in just a few years. Take care! = )
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thanks for your sweet words and prayers for our office Bible study. God definitely gets the glory...= )
Oh Sarah, as you already know you are not alone. You are in what I call the "hard" years. Your boys are not babies who take regularly scheduled naps and there not old enough to do most things themselves. You are it...for them...all the time. And you are a Pastor's wife too, whose husband also works a full-time job. Most don't understand the weight you carry.
ReplyDeletePlease know that if there were a "mommy loser award" I would be the queen of it. I have had days, months, and years that I want a do-over.
I am one who has written some posts about preparing for summer. But like I said, "it is for me." If I don't have a general plan, I become really frustrated and then my voice gets really loud and all that goes with it.
There are years I sometimes wish I could do over and yet I am so thankful for God's grace in my life.
My older three are 16, 13, and 11 and all I can tell you is that it is wonderful. They get dressed, put their clothes away, help around the house, and they can even cook. Ahhhh, the fruit of surviving the "hard" years.
I could say so much more...
Blogging is a wonderful blessing to us as wives and moms, but somedays I walk away from my computer thankful no one can see my life, and there are other times I wish everyone could see the reality.
Sarah, Love this post. Not because you had a bad day =P because it reminds me that I am not alone in this journey. I am not the only mommy who has bad days. This is why i HEART real BLOGS! I'm heading over to catch that blog
ReplyDeleteHOpe you have a wonderful weekend!
Michelle
This is why I LOVE your blog. Seriously, I could have written that post myself!
ReplyDeleteYou're not in the "trenches" alone - I'm there, too! LOL
ahhh, summer. I remember when that meant me and my girlfriends laying out by the pool giggling at the lifeguards.
ReplyDeleteLet the chaos begin...and the popsicles and sunburns...:)