Remember my January 1, 2009 post about how I took the girls/Colin to McDonald's for lunch so Andy could watch his football game without distraction? And how we were blessed by the older stranger? Well, it happened again!
Many of you were probably expecting a blog entry about our recent trip to Minnesota....it's coming, I just have to organize the photos! :) This post is more fitting as a lead in to our trip experience, because the aura of the week really STARTED during our trip.
Colin did not sleep well on the trip--in fact, he probably slept between 40 min-2 hrs at a time each night in the hotel. It was rough. He also developed a fever while we were gone, and on Tuesday morning, we looked over at him in the stroller as we heard this faucet-like sound and observed him throwing up! Since we've been home, he has continued to have a low grade fever and now, it appears that he has rotavirus. So much for the vaccine against that! In addition, both Andy and I have had bouts with the stomach flu, Andy's being much worse--having both parents sick AND a sick baby is a bit rough! Last night, I was thankful that both big girls can read and do simple tasks--all I had to do was say "time to clean up...time to brush teeth...time for pj's...Jayna, you read the book, Ellie will read the devotion"...and whalaa...the girls were ready and in bed!
But the sickies were minor in draining me (us?!) this week. I checked our email from the hotel and that was the first of 5 'complaints' about my children's behavior--via email or on the phone. 1 was a big misunderstanding, 1 was confessed to me prior to me receiving notification from the teacher, and 3 were hearsay. However, all of them took me to a place of complete brokenness. Had we done ANYTHING right in our parenting, to have this many issues in a matter of 2 days? Where had we gone wrong? And, I (Katie) was TIRED from being up so much with Colin--as we all know, being tired makes everything seem MUCH worse than it really is.
Andy soon saw the effect that the 2 days of complaints/issues/tiredness had on me and he realized that yes, his job is intense right now, as he learns his new position and prepares for his traveling that is coming up in 1 week and that was draining both of us. He also pointed out some truths to me and led me back to the inspiration that previously I had recognized--he reminded me of the "storms" post and the quote...and how perhaps God is trying to change ME (!); he reminded me of how I had been encouraged by a friend's blog entry about Power, Perspective & Peace; and he reminded me that when we are stepping up our spiritual study time, often we are met with the testing of our faith. How true!!! I also confided in a friend who knows my children well and she encouraged me so much, telling me that she was like my strong personality child and that my child will turn out ok...that we have to keep up our work and keep encouraging her. (Liking this friend so much, it gave me great hope that MY strong personality child could turn out like this special friend!!!!)
But today, 2 blessings occurred back to back...and they were just what I needed....another proof that God gives you what you need, when you need it. Andy is still sick and our house is space-challenged with 6 of us being home today. It's near impossible to have it be QUIET unless it is sleeping time! So, I took all 4 kiddos to run errands and out for lunch at McDonalds. (Yes, I even took rotavirus Colin...and he was enclosed IN his bunting, happily sucking his beloved paci the entire time, so no germs were shared!) As we entered McDonalds, I gave each girl a job: Ellie--get the ketchup cups, Jayna--get a highchair for Colin, and Ava--find us a seat...and stay at that seat. They all did great and as I brought the food to our table, Ava said "MOM...You say not to stare, but there are some people STARING at us." (LOL....she was right...but everyone stares when there is 1 parent and 4 kiddos out and about!) I told her that we weren't going to worry about other people's staring problems! Soon though, the staring strangers came over to visit with us. A very nice older gentleman said "My wife and I have been enjoying watching your beautiful children. They are so well behaved, they have been a joy to our day!" He then went on to ask if all 4 "girls" were mine! I said yes, and laughed inwardly that since Colin became bald, everyone thinks he is a girl! After the man went back to his wife, Jayna said "Well, we are not well behaved all the time, you know, Mom!" :)
We then came home only to find a card from a dear friend, encouraging me as a mother--something she did not have to do, but something that blessed my day in such a way--you know you are dear friend! Thank you!
God does provide encouragement in the strangest ways sometime....and I am convinced that IF you need an ounce of encouragement, frequent the McDonalds closest to you on a weekend around lunchtime...there's sure to be an elderly stranger just waiting to enjoy your children and comment on their sweetness...a great reminder that they ARE sweet...they just sometimes have to learn to not be sour!
1 comment:
I often get comments from strangers as well, having 4 girls so close in age. They are usually very encouraging, and you're right that these are the things we need to store up in our hearts. No, they aren't perfectly behaved all the time, but the fact that they are behaving in public is important, because it IS a testimony to others (which is what I teach my girls, too). I loved your comment about them being SWEET, and learning how not to be sour! ;-)
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