Pots and Pans and Things...

I was having some much needed time in my Bible, yesterday, when I came across this prayer by Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite monk who lived in the 1600s. This prayer was included in a study portion of Psalm 104 verses 14 and 15.

"Lord of all pots and pans and things... make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates! the time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen... I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my my knees in blessed sacrament."

As women, it is so easy for us to get overwhelmed by the magnitude of our mission of taking care of our family. We get caught up in the everyday drudgery of living. I confess, there are days when doing one more load of laundry or sweeping the floor clean of spilled cereal or bread crumbs seems to be just too much! Now I know that these things are blessings to my family (and myself in neurotic way), but have I really understood it to be an oppurtunity for tranquility in God, equal to time spent on my knees? I can answer that quite succinctly, no.

So, now I have a new challenge. Oh, how I love new challenges. Really, no sarcasm. I am now striving to view these daily chores as an oppurtunity to better the lives of those around me and looking at them as a way to worship my precious Lord. While I'm washing dishes, remembering how my sins have been washed away. While ironing shirts, seeing how the Lord makes my paths straight. Every job has it's own way of leading me back to Him. Glorious housework...



Thank You, Father, for using a monk who lived 400 years ago to speak to a stay-at-home mama. Only You have that kind of humor.

Three Weeks!

Our gorgeous baby boy, JuJu is now three weeks old. Where has the time gone and why didn't it pass this quickly while I was pregnant? Can I get an amen, sista?

The boys, engrossed with one another. How long before the wrestling matches and burping contests start? I'm afraid to know the answer to that one! Sheesh.

It's so good to feel good again! I feel like I'm back and ready to face life as a mama of four. That is until two of my wonderful children are fighting at the same time as two crying, the phone ringing, the dryer buzzing at me, all while I need to use the restroom because I haven't since six o'clock this morning! Oh, brother. And yet... and yet... there is nothing better, or more blessed, than being a stay at home mama.
Growing up, I never pictured my life like this as an adult. Now I wonder, why didn't I? I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing. Well, that is, most of the time. I think I can be that honest here. If I can't, then what's the point of this blog, I ask. Or maybe yell out loud. Like I've said to many of my friends, "Blogging is cheaper than therapy!"

I'm Baaaccckkk!

Back in the saddle again. Oh, my dear blog, how I've missed you! ~sigh~ After a brief maternity leave, the need has overwhelmed me to be "bloggin'". However, because recovering from a c-section being what it is (ugly and painful at some times), this is just going to be a collection of pictures sharing the last two weeks of our lives. Hopefully, we'll be back in the full swing of things soon!

PS Just a little random information: Did you know that a newborn can be in up to seven outfits in just one day, due to various bodily functions? And here I thought I was the most fashion-aware person in this house. It appears that I've been usurped!


Ya-Ya is determined to read to Ju-Ju. It doesn't look like he's appreciative of fine literature, yet.


Ju-Ju's first real outing out for dinner with Daddy and Mama. He's duly impressed.


My goodness, he sleeps alot! Look how sweet he is!


One day, I was by myself with Ju-Ju and just held him all day. I love being a Mama! Forgive the funky camera angle that does strange things to my face.


Working so hard on a spring-time art project. They used jammy shirts to protect their clothes underneath. The younger ones were a little confused by that.


The finished products! I'm not sure what happened to Gi-Gi's hair, though...


A Daddy and his boy. There's nothing sweeter.


Oh, look! He's awake.


In the midst of all this hecticity (Hubby's new word), we managed to squeeze in my 30th birthday celebration dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Yummy White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake was my special treat. I guess thirty isn't that bad if you can celebrate it with cheesecake!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Attitude

Sad to say, but Mamas occasionally need attitude adjustments, too. Just like our kids, we become grumpy, unwilling to compromise, and desirous of throwing tantrums like you've never seen the likes of.
So, what to do, what to do? I wish I could say that I'm so much more mature than all of this. I'm not. Life and circumstances come and mess with our emotions. What can we do about it? Weeeellll, most of the time we get the dreaded "adjustment". Hmmpphh!
My adjustment came in the form of one of my last prenatal visits yesterday. I have been ready for several weeks to go into labor to meet this precious little man. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, my body has not been obedient and started the process. I keep dreaming that I'll wake up in the middle of the night and my water will have broken or I'll be having contractions that assure me that tonight is the night! Yeah, no such luck.
When I went in yesterday, I was prepared to beg and plead with my doctor to pllleeeaasseee, move the C-section date up another week. In my defense, the baby is full term now and is actually growing at a stupendous rate. He is definitely a Mehan baby.
I made it to the appointment, but my doctor did not. He was out delivering another baby. What nerve! To say I was disappointed is an understatement! Just add it to the attitude issue. So, I got to see the nurse practioner. It turned out to be so good! God certainly knows what I need and when I need it! I did receive the news that the doctor is going to be out of town for the next ten days with probably less graciousness than I should have, but... I was so disappointed that not only will I have to wait until the 17th for him, but I was scared that if I do go into labor before then, he won't be delivering, which is really important to me.

What we're looking forward to!

However, after shedding a few tears, I had a lovely chat with the nurse who pretty much gave me permission to sit down on the couch and watch sappy, weepy movies for the next 12 days. I love that! Not that I'm going to do it, but is sure is nice to have permission.
The icing on the cake was when she asked me what the baby's name is. Now, I have to say, we haven't gotten rave reviews about poor Little Dude's name, which does make me a little sad. When I told her, she whirled around and said, "That is so cool! I absolutely love it!" What proud mama doesn't want to hear something positive about her child, even before he's born?
Talking through all this emotional muck with her really helped me put this all in perspective. I so appreciate the oppurtunity to talk to a woman who has not only gone through this herself, but has encouraged other women through it.
Now, has the pain, nausea, contractions or irritability suddenly vanished? No, not really. But my attitude has improved, I hope. I'm really going to try to treasure these last days of only having three kids and full nights of sleep. I'm going to enjoy feeling him move around and having Ya-Ya as my baby. I'm choosing to be happy and content where God has placed me.

Spring is Here!

Here in good ole AZ, spring comes early. Shorts are out, flip-flops are on (for you crazies who don't wear them year-round), and the pollen is in full bloom.
There is no better way to enjoy this weather than to get out into it! So that's exactly what we did. On Sunday, we got to visit with my Uncle Jeff and his lovely lady Nancy, as well as their adorable dog "kids", Jackson and Ellie. My kids were in h-e-a-v-e-n! Daddy has come a long way from anti-dog, but he still has a way to go, so we "borrow" dogs whenever possible.

The only puppy I've ever met named after Eleanor Roosevelt

The day was gorgeous, too gorgeous to be cooped up inside. We enjoyed the shade, the breeze, the dogs and each other.

My little lovies and their Hauntie

Unfortunately, now we are paying for our fun excursion into the great outdoors. My poor kids are suffering dreadfully from the pollen in the air. They are all sniffling, sneezing, and wiping runny eyes. But, it was all worth it!

Gi-Gi and Mr. Jackson Brown

PS Daddy decided it was time to take the picture that he takes towards the end of every pregnancy. You know the one, the one in a couple of months or years where you look back in amazement that your stomach could ever be stretched to those proportions? So, I posed. Me and my belly. Well, if you're curious, scroll down, scroll down.




Side Note:My shirt used to be a dress! Oh, well.