"How do you do it?"

I don't have much to write about tonight, just random thoughts. I was thinking the other day how many times people ask me how I manage six kids or "I don't know how you do it" comments. I must field those comments and questions several times a week. Quite frankly, I don't think six kids is that big of a family. Although, there are times when I think, "I have six kids! How did this happen?!" Anyway, I've learned that the best answer is to say, "We laugh a lot. We don't take ourselves that seriously. And I say 'no' a lot, too. I'm rather unpopular at any given time with friends, family, and neighbors." I have learned that this seems to be the secret to enjoying my larger size family. I don't have lots of expectations for myself or my kids other than the basics of dishes, laundry,general neatness, healthy meals, and kindness and patience. To achieve all of this even one day a week is an astonishing, sound-the-trumpets (do ya' hear that David?) day!As this season of having really little ones changes, I'm sure the bar will be raised higher. At this point, though, I can't imagine adding in piano lessons, soccer practice, dance lessons, art lessons, Girl Scouts, etc. To be pulled in so many different directions time and money-wise is bordering on insanity. My children are learning to be creative in their backyard and to play with one another. "I'm bored" and "There's nothing to do" are not acceptable phrases in our home, although I have one child who regularly utters these banned words. I'm still thinking and praying about how to answer her so that she is creative with her options and resourceful before she utters those dreaded words. I think I'm going to have a talk with her tomorrow and see how I can help her "think before she speaks."

Shoe Shopping

I was on the phone this morning with Brent back and forth a couple of times about shutting down the utilities and he mentioned that the deed had recorded. Our rental property had sold and we no longer owned it. It was just very matter-of-fact. I have laughed a little more throughout the day, though, and perhaps it will hit me on the 3rd of next month when I don't have to pick up rent checks anymore. Ohh...Tim is still mopey and rather depressed about the whole thing. That bothers me and I'm tempted to be impatient with him about it, but I'm praying about it and thinking of a way to comfort and encourage him. I'm not responsible for his feelings, though, and perhaps he just needs time and God's help in seeing it His way.
Anyway, I was taking Camille, Leanne, and Chloe shoe shopping this evening at the mall. I really dislike that whole part of my job. I have to exhibit patience and determination to make sure that the girls are totally comfortable in their new shoes before we buy them so that I don't hear a week later after they've worn them all over town: "They hurt my feet" and I've just spent $40. (This has really happened more than once!)However, the shopping gods were good to us and Chloe and Leanne each got 2 pairs of shoes and then we were off to PayLess for Camille's shoes. Camille was searching out her shoe choices thoughtfully while Chloe and Leanne began picking out high heel boots, platform shoes, and very "diva" like shoes to put on. They were getting the shoes stuck on their feet if you can believe it (this was hilarious!)and I kept telling them to put the shoes back in their correct boxes. I was watching the PayLess employee straightening out all the shoes and putting them back and I was hoping he wouldn't escort us out the store for making his job impossible to do. Needless to say, the girls got the shoes back in the boxes after unsticking them from each others' feet. It was funny. As I watched Chloe in one high-heeled pump walk down the aisle away from me I was struck with a vision from the future. One day those shoes would fit and she would walk away from me for good. She would be a grown woman and leave home. The thought of it almost brought me to tears. I just keep thinking she'll be 5 forever. That's how it should be, right? Oh, a hard reality check. As we were getting in the car later, after the requisite stop at See's candy for lollipops and their tasty chocolate samples, she said "Thanks, Mom. I had a great time. You're the best. I want to be like you." Driving up Baldwin Avenue in the dark of night the tears finally slipped down my cheeks after I heard those words. Camille had to clarify them for me because Chloe's articulation is still a little weak at times. I laughed at first because it was so earnest and cute, but was struck at what a compliment I took that to be.I hope she's much better than me when she grows up. I hope and pray that with God's grace she will be a lovely woman who fulfills God's purposes for her life to the fullest. Knowing her intense,driven, enthusiastic spirit I don't doubt she will.

It's Almost Over...

It's Tuesday and we're approaching the middle of October. We are also approaching the end of escrow for our rental property. Tim has severely limited what I can write about the intense negotiations, but suffice it to say that God has put generous and kind people in our path. In about a week I will breathe a BIG sigh of relief. It will be amazing to think that after nine long years I won't be picking up rent checks, fielding calls from tenants, factoring in our rental property numbers in our financial talks and just always living with that property in the back of my mind. I really liked our current tenants - the ones I knew. I wish them well in their lives and wonder if I'll ever run into them again. I hope so. They were nice people and I pray that they find God and have peace with him. I'll write about my feelings when that last signature is signed and the keys are handed over. When I've gotten the call that the deed has recorded I will try to remember that moment. Perhaps a couple of my kids will be noisy or laughing or needing something from me. Perhaps I'll be running out the door or cooking in the kitchen. I'll write about it after it happens.

"Our" Disney Princesses

OK, so it's obvious things have been a little uneventful lately. Our sweet Daisy, 2 1/2 years, saw a book she chose from the library featuring the Disney princesses and pointed out "Snow Wipe." Well, I thought this was hysterical. She said it so innocently and it was just funny, funny,. funny. We started renaming all the princesses: we now have "Smelle," "Hairy Hell" (I know - I shouldn't laugh about bad words, but I'm not that sanctified yet), "Moolong," "Cinderswella," and "Weeping Beauty." We think she's weeping because of all the bad names her princess sisters have, or maybe because Snow Wipe is wiping her with snow! It is possible that Smelle has shown up and it's unbearable for all of them, even Hairy Hell who's shedding everywhere! We have irreverant humor and I'm hoping God can forgive me for leading my daughters astray. Perhaps we shouldn't laugh anymore, but it's been rather slow lately...