that the days are long, but the years are short.
Please remind me…
that when I am old and gray,
I will miss not having a moment to go to the bathroom in private.
Please remind me…
that when the kids are grown,
I will crave washing six baskets of clothes because each little stain whispers a precious story about their day.
Please remind me…
a month from now, that I will giggle at the thought of
“Ten little monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell down and broke his”…
well…broke her bed right before 18 people were expected for the weekend
(with two of them staying in this broken bed).
Please remind me tomorrow…
that this too shall pass….
and next week will bring such joy
(because the 15 EIGHTH graders that are coming for a retreat weekend, will have had a life changing experience).
Oh, and thank you for the reminder…
(that worked for me).
Choosing joy in the little things
reminds me of how truly blessed I am.
I am one grateful Momma…
and just think, I get to experience another day of balancing beauty and bedlam.
*************************************
And just to emphasis the point, our trampoline collapsed while a bunch of teens were on it, and then, in this SAME week, the bed broke.
Yes, you have to just love “Murphy”, because he’s our middle name…
Murphy’s Law, that is, for those of you saying…”who?”
And for my frugal, thrifting friends…
I found two twin, gorgeous antique beds that I will paint white…it’s the new mattresses and box springs that are killing me.
And no, I will not do an impulse splurge just so my great middle school youth group pastor has a bed to sleep in.
He will get the coziest ever mattress on the floor,
and I’ll maybe even leave him some chocolate to make up for it.
Hope he still loves me after that. 🙂
Have you heard the song You’re Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins? If not, look up the lyrics. It is perfect for us moms of screaming, jumping, bed-wrecking, etc., kids. Hehehe. Also you are welcome to copy my chant of “I love my kids, I love my kids, I love my kids” if you want. That is like my meditation. 🙂
So you have had 2 major things happen in one week. I hate to remind you – but they usually come in three’s…we’ll be praying that the third isn’t too bad!!!
OK – WOW….just WOW. Don’t worry about needing a reminder…your kids will do that for you!
Oh no! I hope things get better for you!
Carmen is right on with the Trace Adkins song…busts me up evry time cause my youngest is turning seventeen and I sure do miss it all. Life is so short…enjoy the chaos (as much as possible)…you can’t get it back…well, except when the grandkids come for a sleep over…lol!!
Oh my! I think I would struggle with having the proper perspective! Hope all goes well with your upcoming guests. 😀
Yowzers! You poor thing! Sounds like a rough week. Break out the chocolate! This too shall pass!
(How about having the teens earn money to buy another trampoline? I think there's a weight limit on them- ours is 300 lbs-& I'm guessing a bunch of teens exceeds that! just a thought)
Choosing joy in the little things
reminds me of how truly blessed I am.
amen amen amen
Oh..my that trampoline..this to will pass and will be a faint memory!
Hope today is better and everything REMAINS in one piece.
sandy toe
I was thinking like Carmen-The Trace Adkins song!
Oh my-what a weekend you have coming up…can’t wait to hear more about how much beauty and bedlam you had!!!
I’m guessing no one was hurt in either incident, or you’d have mentioned that…..that’s a praise! Yep, hoping you miss out on that THIRD incident…your week’s got to get better!!! 😉
Suzanne
You poor thing! You need a lil’ break. A flea market or garage sale always works for me but I’ve been known to take a leisurely stroll down the frozen food aisle-Helps with the hot flashes:o)
Oh no! A lot has happened to you this week! I can’t wait to see the new beds though! 🙂
Oh, Jen, you are TOO cute! Sorry you’ve had a bad week, but your attitude is A+, girlfriend. Can’t wait to see those thrifty twin beds. I just made a purchase yesterday myself at the antique mall.
Oh no Jen! I do hope you don’t end up with that third thing going wrong! I do hope things look up quickly. Hugs to you!♥
I need to print that off and post it in a spot to look at often. It’s so hard to remember that one day we’ll be longing for these days that we are in right now. They grow up so fast and time passes so quickly. We need to take a step back and remember that sometimes. Thanks for such an awesome post!
God bless,
Amanda
those pics are proof. your kids love your home. and your kids friends do too.
Thanks for reminding ME!!!
Jen,
It sounds like you guys have as much luck as we do! We share the same middle name, that is for sure! {GIGGLES}
oh my goodness, too many things breaking, lol! you will miss it one day! i think everything will work out just fine and you are going to have an awesome time with all your guests!
oh my! those kinds of weeks are tough. My dad reminds me when I look at it all as a whole like that, that my “chunk size” is too big, that I’m trying to look at too much and bite off big chunks instead of thinking of what’s manageable. Also, I MISS going to Target with my mom like I did in my growing up years. Everytime I hear a mom and daughter fussing in a dressing room I think, “you’ll miss this one day. you really will.” Kelly
All of these mishaps will be the stories you will laugh about in years to come. My boys are 16 and 19 now and everytime I see a mother somewhere with 2 little boys, I just wish, wish, wish mine were that little again. They are wonderful now, (and boys LOVE their mamas don’t cha know) but I miss when then were little. My 16 year old ALWAYS cried if I cried…and he still does. Such a tender heart, his wife will have it made.
I know you do, but cherish these times!
Lou Cinda 🙂
I got a wake up call with this same line of sentiment today. I had to take Kiddo to the doctor for the first time in FOREVER (thank the Lord for homeschooling and not passing around all those germs!), and realized how much I missed setting his little toddler self on the examination table, watching him draw pictures on the paper cover, telling the doctor myself what his symptoms were. Today, he hopped up there by himself, took his Science Test (am I a horrible Momma for making her sick kid take a test at the DOCTOR’S OFFICE???? Oh, well…he got a 100!), and was able to articulate himself to the doctor what was wrong. I think he really impressed the doctor. I know he impressed me. Sigh…where did my baby boy go?
These things will pass. Your home is such a haven, people will love being there even with a broken bed!!!!
Hang in there,
Cynthia
What a great post! When the kids are gone you’ll have such bittersweet memories.
Just read your dumpling post…..my Mom used to make dumplings but I haven’t had them for years. Now I think I must!
That secretary is gorgeous, I’ve been wanting one forever! Diane from ‘a picture is worth 1000 words’ has a secretary post up today. Every chance I get I look for one. One day I’ll find it!
Take care, DebraK
Great post! Hope next week is better!
I love coming here to be reminded…i need to be reminded too! Thanks…once again!
Thank you so much for the sweet comment you left on my blog today. I’m so glad I discovered yours!
well, i guess i don’t have much to complain about this week. you know things like this always happen when company is coming… i’m sure you will have a fantastic weekend despite all this! hope things are looking up. (aren’t we glad that God has a sense of humor?)