Slowing Down...

This has been a trying week. Last night I was so discouraged, so overwhelmed, so feeling like life is out of control! The twins are 2 and might I add there are TWO of them!!! They get into everything, climb, open doors, move from activity to activity at the speed of light, and heavens forbid EAT 3+ times a day! They could keep me busy (and they do) all day long just keeping them safe and my house safe.

Needless to say I have these three older kiddos who love my attention too. They are full of great ideas and love to bake, cook, knit, sew (in the process of learning), bead (above picture is showing the earrings Katherine and Lizzy made for me as a surprise), and the list goes on. We "started" school this week(really we never stop learning around here, so starting is just an excuse to celebrate and mark a new beginning) and needless to say things have been a buzzing. All are excited about the new books that arrived on Monday and the projects that we have planned to do in the year ahead. These three older girls could keep me busy (and they do) all day long!

So last night I spilled my heart out to Eric about feeling overwhelmed and not having enought time to get things done. I have planned and planned and set some pretty high expectations for the year ahead. He listened patiently while I told him about my very long day and such. His advice was so simple, in the form of a question..."Ayme, what is our goal for our children, what do we care about most?".
We talk about this often, yet I needed a reminder from the leader of this home...
We want to raise children that love the Lord and want to serve Him and who serve others, starting with serving each other in this home. I was reminded of Deuteronomy 6:6-7 "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Today I have had a refreshed vision for how I want this school year to go. These precious 2 year olds will only be babies a bit longer and I want to enjoy them! I want to slow down long enough to really listen to all the new words that are flowing out of there mouths. I want to stop trying to get so much accomplished that I miss an opportunity to share in God's goodness with one of the older girls or thank God for answering a prayer. I want to slow down long enough to really cuddle my "middlest" child, and make her feel like part of life instead of giving her the impression life is zooming around her. She also won't be four forever and she also won't always want to play memory with me. (This is where she is at, loving the game memory where she recently responded during a game..."mommy, you've got to be kidding!" I could have died, as this is something I say all the time!)These days are going to be gone before I know it and will I have given my children the idea that life is all about staying on schedule and accomplishing or that we lived a life that was slow enough to enjoy God's goodness, to read His Word, to meditate on the wonderful stories in the Bible, to help a friend in need, a sister, or a neighbor? I hope the latter...