10 things I learned while my husband was away fishing

For the past four days, my husband Jeff and our oldest child Benjamin have been away on a fishing trip.  From what I gather, it's been a tremendous time: Ben's first time fishing, four generations of men from my husband's family.  I'm so thankful for the time they've had to spend together, enjoying God's creation and bonding together.  I'm so thankful for the Godly men from whom my sons can learn, and see their walks of faith.

And I'm so thankful that they're getting home today.  I've missed them, and I learned a few things while they were away.  Here are the top ten.

1)  It's good to keep your mouth closed while emptying the cats' litterbox.  And it's a very good thing that my husband and Ben usually take care of that aspect of pet ownership.

2)  Giving baths makes my back ache, even when I'm not pregnant.

3)  Our family generates an enormous amount of dirt, as made obvious by the vacuum's dirt ...um, receptacle.

4)  It's good to keep your mouth closed while emptying the vacuum's dirt receptacle.

5)  I'm glad my husband tends to the kefir.  It's easy enough, but it's just one. more. thing.

6)  I would have a tremendously hard to being married to a traveling man.  Those of you who manage your households alone for weeks (or more) on end, I commend you. Big time!

7)  Best. Mother-in-law. Ever.

8)  I can see why single mothers stay up late.

9)  Adult conversation is a precious, precious thing.

10)  Cher was right.  Sooner of later, we all sleep alone.

the view from here

another dedication

Last Sunday, Gabriel William was dedicated.  It's something we have chosen to do with each of our babies, and it is always a special day.

My husband and I stand before the church body, holding our child, and declare that we intend to raise the baby to in the ways of the Lord.  And the church body, in turn, pledges to support and supplement us in this.

I am so grateful for our church, the family and fellowship we enjoy there.

I almost went out today.

I almost went out today.  I had a chance to, you see.  Jeff's parents had taken my four oldest blessings on an adventure for the afternoon.  Jeff had begun a long weekend away - nothing dramatic, just the climax of several months of overwork and stress at the office.  I found myself alone with my baby on a sunny, pleasant afternoon.

It was tempting.  I loved the thought of strolling down the sidewalk with my baby in the sling, stopping in the children's resale shop, swinging by the library to pick up a book.  In many ways I wanted to do just that.

But Gabe was fussy and I had several projects I'd been itching to work on.  There was dough souring to make muffins. And I have a babysitter coming in the morning so that I can still make my hair appointment, and I have a little extra time built in there.  So instead of going out, I cuddled my baby until naptime.  After he was asleep I tackled my projects, dug myself out of a couple of mountains' worth of laundry, and tackled another project.

So instead of going out, I stayed home.  And when my baby awoke after a gloriously long nap (I do not take those for granted!)...

 I felt rather refreshed, myself.  Even without going out.

mother's day this year

In my home, Mother's Day this year began early.  It started with the usual the-baby-spat-up-in-bed-and-is-now-up-for-the-day, just before six o'clock.  Right on schedule.  No exception on Mother's Day.

But shortly after that, my day took a dramatic turn for the better.  I won't give you the blow by blow, but I will give you the highlights.

~A half an hour of complete and utter solitude in the bathroom.  Priceless.

~Breakfast prepared for the family by Jeff.  He even included some of the Sourdough English Muffins I'd made on Friday (my new obsession).  Everything was delicious!

~A collection of precious cards, presented with beaming smiles and a hug which literally took my breath away for a few seconds.  So precious.

~My husband took the kids to church with him (we drive separately because my husband goes a bit early and stays late.  He'll often take some of them, but today he took all of them along.  This gave me a good 40 minutes of leisure time.  I chose to take a my new book outside and read in the sunshine.  It. Was. Glorious. So relaxing!

~A stunningly beautiful day.  Thank you, Lord!

~Lunch out.  Bacon cheeseburger with caramelized onions.  'Nough said.

~An afternoon outside enjoying the gorgeous summer-like weather.  Bathing suits, running through the sprinkler.  Checking the garden, soaking up the sun.  Popsicles.  Heavenly!

To be honest, each year I try to go into this day with fairly low expectations.  Then when my clothes get urped on right off the bat...when I find myself up to my elbows in a diaper blow-out...when regular life threatens to mar the shiny, polished, idealized Dream of a Perfect Mother's Day - well, it's easier to keep perspective.  This year my day was a lovely gift, but also a reminder to find the moments of undeniable beauty in our crazy, "typical" life.

I am blessed.

I hope all of you had a pleasant day - whether you are a mother or not!

delinquency

 Today my daughter sneaked out of the house for the first time...ever.  She ditched naptime, put on shoes, a jacket and a hat, and headed outside to ride bikes in the front with the big kids.  The young rascal was apprehended and hauled in by her oldest brother.  Thanks, Ben, I owe you!

Clearly it's time to up our security around here...

when Mama is laid up

This has been a most interesting week.  My husband has been miserably sick, on a level of misery I've only seen him in a handful of times in the nearly 15 years we've been married.  After two days practically flat on his back, he was able to go to back to work today, which was a very good thing.  Work has been incredibly busy and stressful for him lately, and two days out sick were definitely not in the plans.

And then...last night I hurt my foot.  It's the dumbest thing ever: yanked out of sleep by a furious yell from the baby's bedroom, I hit the floor running, not realizing that my right foot was completely, totally asleep.  At least I didn't realize it until I found myself on my bedroom flour on all fours, crying out in pain.  My dear, sleep-deprived husband picked up the baby and held him until I could get myself to the rocking chair, then fetched an ice pack after I limped back into bed.  Even then I knew - this was bad.

Not bad like the incident last December was bad.  Not quite.  I hurt, but it was "only" my foot.  It's bruised and swollen, and it hurts like the dickens to put pressure on it. But I can hobble a bit.  (Perhaps we should invest in a cane if these kinds of things keep happening?!) Yet this time I had a baby to take care of.  So in terms of functionality - bad.  I found myself muttering to myself this morning: "Stupid, stupid, stupid.  This is so, so stupid."

Although I entertained a few thoughts of calling in some help, I decided to try to get along with the help of my children - and I'm glad I did.   As I sit on the couch this afternoon, surrounded by baby toys, burp cloths, paper diapers (I still love cloth, but cannot deal with them today!), schoolwork to grade, my Bible study workbook, and various other little projects gathered around me, I'm smiling as I think back over my day.   Here are a few snapshots (in the form of word pictures) from it:

~Talking my oldest through the process of frying eggs for breakfast.
~My son's helping me finish making sourdough blueberry muffins - a hit.
~Catching Owen nuzzling noses with the kitty over by the fireplace.
~My daughter's utter delight in the commercials airing during the Today Show.
~Watching Gabriel perfect his newly-minted (just since yesterday!) rolling-over skills.
~Elise nursing her baby across the room while I nursed mine.
~My 4-year-old sniffing his brother, then wrinkling his nose: "Gabriel's hair smells like root beer!"
~The kids cheering for their picks during a wrestling match between our two cats at lunchtime.
~My older boys making truck and dinosaur-shaped sandwiches for them and their sibs.
~Elise disappearing during lunch (we thought she'd gone to the potty) and Ben discovering that she'd gone upstairs to change her clothes.
~Kyle helping our toddler use the potty.
~Calling my sons on the landline from my cell phone while they played together upstairs.
~Elise bringing me wooden food: a lemon ("Nummy!"), banana, cheese, tomato, butter in a red wrapper, and a slice of watermelon...perhaps because she's learning her colors?
~Hangin' with my girl while her big brothers built with Legos upstairs.
~My kids cheerfully telling their neighbor friends that they couldn't come out to play today, because "My mom's hurt and I need to stay here and help her."

Would it have been easier to have given an S.O.S. call?  Hired a teenager to come spend a few hours here, change diapers, etc.?  You bet.  Would I have been able to stay off my foot more?  Sure.  But I wouldn't trade the gems I've been privileged to see today, not for anything.

You see, I like seeing my kids step up.  I love to see them stretched, taking on responsibilities, giving more than they're used to giving.  It makes me feel good to see how they can be depended on when the chips are down.  I think that, in a way, they like it too.  I see my oldest son stepping in, learning to give of himself, figuring out how to make this new system work.

Today was a challenge, but it was good.  In many ways, it was actually just what I needed - a bit of rest, a break from school, a chance to see my kids coming into their own.  And I think it may have been just what they needed, too.