Sunday dinner at my parents today.
At my parents house I just walk around real slow and admire the perfect order of things.
Things are clean and organized and pretty.
It smells so nice.
My parents love for me and all of us in atmosphere.
Today I couldn't stop hugging my tall strong dad.
The for dinner we had the choice of beef stroganoff or chicken stoganoff. There was lots of fresh fruit. My mom made cherry chocolate cake with an inch of frosting. It was nice. I even got to have a real conversation with my sister in law Ashley. Sometimes the kids keep us from talking below a superficial level.
It was a very nice Sunday.
My mom has the grand kids over one at a time for a sleepover.
She and my dad take them to their favorite restaurant let them play the WI or watch movies, make them their favorite breakfast and even take them to Target to buy something.
I wish I got to have a sleepover and be spoiled like that at their house.
When we were growing up I took our clean and orderly home for granted.
It wasn't until I lived away and then moved back home that
I really appreciated the home my parents created for us.
The food they made for us.
The things they taught us.
When my kids fight and I can barely stand to be around them my mind wanders to this hope...........
that just as me and my siblings used to fight and not appreciate my parents,
my kids will someday come to our home for dinner and love being there.
I hope I hope I hope I hope
In the mean time though I have to live with them everyday all day!
School is out!
I thought I was OK with this but the past 2 days I've sunk into a depression.
Oh dreaded days of summer, the never ending hunger and mess making capacities of my 5 kids and their 5 million friends.
Give me strength and a courage strong to face the mess, the noise, the chaos.
I think it's time to give myself a pep talk
Look Kristen,
here is proof that you are a good mother. Look at you reading with all those children of yours.
They love you I promise. I know they tell you you are boring and mean daily but........well, I don't know what to tell you on that one.....keep trying.
See.........they love each other and look how cute they are, c'mon, you can do this :)
awe......so sweet. Don't you love your kids?
Yes, the answer is yes you do.
Look, she fell asleep with her picture of daddy.
At least she loves one of her parents.
You better take advantage of the 6 years you have left with Em before she graduates from high school.
Stop being so bossy and just love her.
I know she trashes the house with all her creativity but she is growing up fast.
Get your sweet head out of the clouds and make a dinner menu then get the grocery shopping done.
You can do this girl!
You are AWESOME! And there's nothing wrong with a pep talk now and then! I can't get over your singing and playing girl. When did you start going crazy with all your song-writing?? You're good! I think you need to stick with it. I love that you're doing it. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou ARE amazing Kristen! They love you, they just don't always remember to say it. And if you need a break, just let Andrea and I know -- we can entertain them for while at a park or a water fight so you can take a nap on a hammock or grab some frozen yogurt ;)
ReplyDeleteI think that is the great thing about evolution is that we are all ungrateful children and we all say mean things to our parents and then when we realize what real life is about and that there is more to it than just us, we start to appreciate the things that our parents did for us. You are a great mom and we all get overwhemed when summer hits. My kids have already asked if we can go to the zoo, pool, museum... and we are just at 9:00am on the first morning of summer break. I wish we were there and our kids could play with each other but soon enough we will be! I love you and I loved your pep talk because I have to give myself one when I pull myself out of bed. love ali
ReplyDeleteI LOVE you!!! You are an amazing person and I admire you so much. I would like to ditto Jenny's comments. We will take them anytime. Keep smiling. Summer is only 3 months long!!
ReplyDeleteKeddington, I started writing songs Jan of 2010. I write about it in my feb 2011 posts. Thank you so much for your encouraging words!!! I am sticking with it whether I like it or not.
ReplyDeleteJen and Andrea, I will be keeping your volunteer services in mind this summer. Expect a call from me soon :) Thank you for the love!!!
Ali, The whole family is going to be so much better off now that you all are moving back!!!
I remember feeling this way as I raised my children. My wise mother once said to me "there's a time and a season for everything". "Humph!" thought I. No rescue, no getting out of my chosen calling as a mother to a crazy household? Nope, hanging in there was tough and I look back now wishing I had enjoyed them more. They have fun memories they love to reminisce about (with me) so I feel better knowing they (and I survived) :) Love you Kristen xoxo
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