Early Saturday morning...

I am woken by the sound of my 3 little ones laughing and having a grand time in their room across the small hallway. I check Aaron's phone hoping for the first number to at least be a 7...nope...5:51 a.m. Yikes! It's Saturday morning kids...don't they know just how wonderful sleep is??? I suppose if I went to sleep by 7 p.m. I would be and could be up at that hour. I crawl out of bed, walk into their room and find the 3 of them all in Maggie's crib. Of course, I'm a tad upset that they woke me and the dad up, but then Maggie starts laughing at her brother and sister. All annoyance left. After the rough late afternoon and evening we had with them not cleaning up, their whining, loss of movie and pizza night...it was nice to see that they had recovered while I still am not quite over the guilt of it all. Aaron took Maggie while I talked to my 2 oldest about what the new plan was as far as their responsibility around this house, what was expected of them and what Mommy & Daddy were going to do to help them be responsible and kind and respectful.
Side note here...Thanks Stace for the late night conversation we had. Thank you for the support and for watching out for my kids even though we are 450 miles away! :)
I get so frustrated b/c being home with my kids is my job. And some days....I feel like I am downright failing at it. Aaron gets evaluations every so often and I know he passes with flying colors....where is my boss to evaluate me? I know Aaron believes that I am a good mom and it's not that I think I am a bad mom...it's just that I wonder what in the heck will make my kids listen and do what they are supposed to do. I know that I make empty threats at times and I don't follow through on certain reward systems b/c I don't allow enough time for them to work. I want a system to work by the second day.
I need to ask my Father about it more. I know that the first thing I should do is get on my knees and ask my God to show me what to do with His kids :) And I need to remember that....these beautiful kids have been given to me...what an honor it is to be their mom.
A couple of weeks ago...before Christmas...the 3 kids and I went grocery shopping. They did alright in the store...could have done better, but I suppose I'll take an alright trip. We got out to the car and Max and Molly got into their seats. They got a few toys and sat their and played. Maggie was still in the carrier at that point and I snapped her in and continued on to putting the groceries in the back of the van. I hear this woman speak up.
"Those are the most well behaved children I have ever seen."
She can't be talking to me, I think. I kind of look around.
"You told them to get up in their seats and they are just sitting there waiting for you to buckle them in. I've never seen kids listen so well."
I tell her thank you, but that I feel like I am yelling at them most of the time. She said no and that she was impressed.
I walked away to put the cart away, walked back and as I was getting in my car I told her thank you. She responded.
"I'm still sitting here amazed."
"Thank you...that compliment is the best Christmas present I've gotten so far."
I'll take it. The compliments on their behavior. If nothing else I just want God-loving and respectful kids.

He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him." Isaiah 33:6 NET

Patience...

But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day.
Habakkuk 2:3

I am getting excited and trying not to...not until we get official word. Then I think of all that I will miss here if and when we get that call...all of my dear friends I've made...mentors....our Sunday school class....Max's Sunday School class, Molly's "church school" as she likes to call it, Maggie...it's the only home she's ever known. I start to think of all of that and I need to turn my mind back to my sisters, nephews, mom & dad, brother, Aaron's family, our home, our friends, our church, Molly wanting to take a dance class....I get very excited about it. The thought of being close to my family again is wonderful. All that we took for granted while we lived in Michigan. There are definitely things that I am not excited about...all of the political and economical garbage that seems to be happening there these days. But I suppose that's happening everywhere. And living in the Bible Belt of KY this past year has taught me that God is sitting on that throne no matter what.
He is the King of Kings.
He is Almighty.
He is Just.
He is my Protector and my family's Protector.
I have nothing to fear.
Aaron has gotten a few emails so we should know either way in the next 30 days. Oh I am excited. Then I look around and see all that I have to pack up again. No organization this time...clothes are staying in dresser drawers! Just move it!
If we do move that is....not getting my hopes up yet.

Today, Max was sitting up on his bunk bed and he started telling this story all of a sudden about his cousins and him spending the night at Nick's house. He said that they fell asleep, but then woke up and peeked out the bedroom door. What they saw was Santa filling their stockings and placing presents under the tree. He said that there were 2 Santas. They were partners.
After his story he looked at Molly and asked, "Was that a good story Molly?"
"That was so good Max!"

Today the kids got into trouble and ended up in time out on the stairs. They were screaming in Maggie's face and ended up in trouble. After their time out Molly came to me all by herself.
She came right to me and said, "I'm sorry Momma for screaming."
Oh I kissed her and told her she was forgiven. Did she really do that all on her own???? After wondering some days why in the world I stay home....she did something that I taught her. Yipppee!!!

Thank you Lord