Gratitude!

Some weeks are barely manageable in this house between doctor's visits, dentists visits, specialists, activities, dance classes, school performances and - Oh Yeah - those jobs we have to hold down to keep the roof over our heads. I'm not complaining about one single thing except to say that when a long, busy weeks couples with a week of sickness and a week of Mommy just feeling grumpy in general it can be a bit much all at once. Bob and I were both feeling worn out from things and it seems like the fun just kept piling on us. I couldn't seem to get out of my funk and even Bob's absurd sense of humor wasn't helping! Luckily we don't implode often but when we do it is a sight to be seen. And then the sky opens, the sun pours in and God hands you an evening of pure, joy filled fun with the family who was driving you crazy five minutes ago! I think the kids got that we needed some calm and it seemed like they were doing everything they could to behave and have fun with each other. It was bliss!

There is nothing better in the world then returning home from a long day at work and finding five kids snuggled on the couch fresh from the bath/shower. It was only five o'clock and Bob had everyone bathed and dinner on the stove.

1. I am so grateful for Bob and the hardworker that he is - on this particular night things had been so crazy that I would have opted for skipping baths but he just plowed through and had everyone smelling great and feeling good!

2. I know that it won't be long before I won't be able to hold Peter and Molly in my arms for those long wiffs of freshly cleaned kids and I so loved doing it on this night!

3. I was so grateful to have the five kids hanging out on one couch, talking and laughing and not asking for a TV show or snacks - just loving being with each other. It doesn't matter that it lasted ten minutes - it was enough for this Mama's heart!

4. I am so grateful that my daughters have each other and that Peter has four sisters who will ensure that they stay close throughout their lives. I have never wanted anything as badly as I wanted a sister but I think God was preparing me to experience sisterhood through my girls!

5. Perfect, healthy, happy, well adjusted children - is there any greater gift on earth. Every once in a while I feel like God may have chosen the wrong Mom for my babies.  I often feel inadequate or not smart enough to deal with our challenges and then in the midst of them I realize that I am right where I am meant to be and so are each of my beautiful children. I am so grateful that God gives me the gifts I need during each moment of our lives - I am often astounded by the grace that is handed to us when we need it most.

6. I am so grateful for my sight. Sounds crazy right? Bob has very poor vision and a few weeks ago broke his glasses. I am astonished at how many areas of Bob's life it affects to be relying on glasses from 6 years ago that are the wrong prescription. Bob is concerned about driving with the kids, he has fallen on things that he did not see twice, his ability to read, even do yardwork is really impaired. Of course, Bob never said one word about this to me but I slowly began to notice how "off" Bob is because his vision is not clear all the time. I did order him glasses and we hope they will arrive soon but it has really made me think about the gifts that I take for granted in being able to get up and go about my day without worrying about glasses or being able to see!

7. At this point even with Bob's vision issues none of our children have the need for glasses and all of them see perfectly. Even though Annie loooks adorable in glasses and loves being like her Daddy I am grateful for the perfect sight my children have.

8. Movie Nights - I am so grateful that ALL of our kids will still watch a movie with us and act like there is no other place on earth they would like to be! Big sister made a bed for everyone on the floor so they could snuggle - doesn't get better than that!

9. I am grateful that my parents are here all the time and love being with my children. Papa's lap is always available and he sure can squeeze alot of kids on it! No one is ever left out and no kid ever doesn't have a place on Papa's lap. As for her part during these nightly visits with the kids Grammy is never not scratching a back, rubbing a forehead or combing out hair - and according to all five of my chidlren she does all of it the best of anyone in the world!

10. I am really really really thankful that Peter cut his hair! Yes, I admit it was torture for me to see my handsome son walking around with a mop of uncombed, nappy hair on his head. I made an emergency call to Papa and Grammy the other night and they came over at 9:30 pm with clippers when Peter agreed to a haircut! Now those are some amazing grandparents!

When I asked Peter what the kids at school thought of his hair he said, "Well, Grammy likes it and that's all that counts!" The kids at school and his teachers could not stop talking about how handsome he looked but if Grammy is his compass than I am good with that!

The two Peters with their matching haircuts!

I love this picture of Peter just swallowed up in his Papa's embrace. For my father's part I think his face says it all - that is one content grandfather who knows he is loved!

And the gifts just keep coming! I have said before that one of the reasons we love Noah Webster is because they really emphasize the values that we hope our kids are able to embrace as they grow older. The teachers and staff really encourage respect, tolerance and appreciation of diversity, as well as, character building at all levels! Molly has really struggled in school this year because 4th grade is apparently the year when girls begin to get a little bit petty with each other. Molly has also spent more time than ever home sick for various reasons but mostly because of the headaches that we can't seem to get a handle on. We were thrilled when Molly was chosen as Citizen of the Month for her class this month and I was so touched to read her teachers reasons for choosing her. I always hope and pray that the values we are trying to teach the kids stick with them even when they are not with us and Molly is certainly rising to the challenges of 4th grade and making good decision for herself! We are so proud!

"For March our classroom's student of the month is a girl that is kind to others and someone who consistently stands up for what is right. In the month of March we talked frequently about what it means to be a good friend and why being unkind to others is not a good choice. This student is the perfect model of a strong character that treats others the way that she wants to be treated. Often times you can see this student stand up for what she believes in and doesn't care what others have to say. This takes courage and is not a quality that many fourth graders possess. Molly Harding - Wheeler is our citizen of the month because of her good natured personality and her caring ways."

We could not be prouder of Molly - Girl for being a leader in her classroom and remembering that we are all made in God's image and deserve to be valued and respected. As you can see, her sisters were as proud of her as we were and couldn't wait to hug her as she left for school this morning! 

GNM - ILY!