It Was a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

The blog title & the above photo say it all - yesterday was rough. I even considered moving to Australia, just like the children's book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Bullet points may be helpful...it was intense (at least from the mom's perspective). {grin}

• All four boys started sneezing, running fevers, and spewing snot in mass quantities late Tuesday afternoon. The babies are whining like mad and the big boys are grouchy.
• Sam had mild "night terrors" Wednesday night...calling out, rolling around in his bed - but, still sound asleep. He woke Luke up more than once. Neither of them got good sleep (their mom didn't either).
• After lunch, Sam & Luke were playing in the living room. Luke pushed Sam and it hurt his feelings. He was laying on the couch trying to explain to Luke that he didn't like to be pushed...when, Matthew bonked him on the head with a plastic mug he had stolen from the kitchen table. A large, purple, painful looking goose-egg appeared on Sam's forehead. He was obviously in pain, tired, and frustrated. The tears flowed. I scooped him up and sympathized with him...and then a crying Caleb began to crawl up on Sam. Caleb got frustrated that his climb wasn't easy - and he pinched Sam. Sam howled. He was just frustrated beyond words. Caleb and Sam were crying...Luke & Matthew were watching in horror. {grin}
• I told Sam how sorry I was and that Caleb didn't intend to hurt him. It was as if a flood of emotion broke in his heart...he began to cry, saying, "I just want you to hold me. Pay attention to me, not a baby." His words pierced my heart...and I fought to hold back my own tears. Sam clung to my neck so tightly as his heart broke. ugh. It was bad. I quickly prayed and then began to tell Sam all of the reasons I love him. I told him that his Daddy & I do lot's of things to show him how special he is: special "dates" with only him, breakfast with daddy each morning before anyone else is up (they are both early risers), our special "school time" when the 3 little ones are napping, reading books and praying together each night, etc...
  
• Caleb continued to cry while I was comforting Sam. Sometimes I just wish I had more arms for holding little ones or could clone myself for just a bit (I mean seriously, two of me would be a bit much) {grin}.
  
• All of this happened as I was trying to get the twins ready to leave for an appointment with our pediatrician (18 month old well visit). It was chaos and I was overwhelmed.
• Poor Brad came home from work to stay with the big boys (he is such a good man) and found us all in a mess! I finally peeled Sam off of my body and managed to get the little men loaded into the van. I began to cry as I pulled out of our driveway. Nasty thoughts like, "You will never be able to meet their needs. There isn't enough of you to go around. Why did you have all of these children if you can't care for them?" began to fill my mind. I sobbed...and then, I prayed. As I prayed, I was reminded that Satan is a liar - and he was whispering lies in my ear about my mothering. Each boy has been a gift from God to us..and I am the God-chosen mother to each of them. I called my friend, Granola Mom, and left an unintelligible message on her answering machine. I babbled something about praying for me and being under spiritual attack. What a great message to receive! {grin} I chatted with my dear friend, Deb, and she reminded me of God's truth about who I am and how He loves me. Deb had the wisdom to tell me that Sam was just expressing the cry of everyone's heart - notice me, pay attention to me, love on me. God soothed my heart and I managed to pull myself together before I arrived at the pediatrician's office.
  
• While waiting for the doctor to arrive in the exam room, the nurse was asking a few questions about Caleb & Matthew. As I answered, I undressed Caleb and then let him toddle around the room. He walked across the small room to look out the window. He bent down to look at something on the floor, and hit his eye on the edge of the window sill. He burst into tears and I scooped him up. The nurse noticed he was bleeding. She went to get the doctor...and 20 minutes later, our doctor arrived. We've always been pleased with the care we've received - but, I thought this was a bit long to wait under the circumstances.
• After cleaning the wound, she determined that stitches weren't necessary. She applied 6 steri-strips (looks like small pieces of tape to hold the wound closed). The cut is deep but very small.
  
• Sweet little Matthew sat silently in the stroller while the doctor and I tended to Caleb. Not a peep out of him the entire time. I kept looking at him and giving him a reassuring smile. He just grinned in return and waved to me. {melt my heart}
• Matthew was examined and she found he had a double ear infection. So, no immunizations for them since they were both feverish and feeling badly.
  
• Aside from the eye gash and ear infection, both boys are healthy and growing along just fine.
• We came home to find that Sam was much happier after a two hour nap (he gave up napping nearly 18 months ago).
  

I am often asked, "How do you do it?" I hear people say, " I don't know how you do it. I could not do what you do." The truth of the matter is...we can't do it. I am not gonna lie, there are times when I think I am going to lose it (my mind, that is). Raising our four little men ages five and under is a challenge at times. I am learning that we simply can't do it alone. This may not be such revelatory news to most, but I need to be reminded from time to time. I am a get'r done kind of gal...just buck up and do it. But, we can't do it alone by God's design...we aren't intended to live alone, do it alone, or be without a community. God has designed us to be in relationship with Him, rely on Him, use His strength rather than our own, and to trust Him to do what He says He will do. It was a rough day, but God is still so good.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped."
Psalm 28:7

Our Town

Not the musical, but the town The Johnson Tribe calls home - Wilmore, Kentucky. Our town is small...very small. There is a sign on the edge of town that boasts over 9,000 residents. I suppose that would be true when school is in session. Our tiny town is home to a Christian college and a Seminary (different institutions on opposite sides of the main street through town). You will find 2 stoplights, 3 restaurants, 1 Dollar Gen*ral Store, a video store/laundromat, a few parks, and one small grocery store owned and operated by one very kind man, Mr. Fitch. Since the town in densely populated with Christians, there is a church on nearly every corner. The other situation this creates is a strange one...the number of children with Biblical names in our tiny town is unbelievable. The playground becomes a Biblical geneology study as you listen to mom's directing their children, "Isaiah, get down." "Rebekah, come here please." "Gideon, it's time to go."

It's a unique little place...not perfect, but very close. Brad is a big fan of The Andy Griffith Show (he is a hard-core Black and White episode fan...none of that sissy color tv for him), he likes to think of Wilmore as his personal Mayberry. The town has had the same mayor for over 30 years, he and his brother serve as ushers at our church each week. This tiny little town is also culturally diverse...people from all over the world come to study here. We have learned so much about how wide and deep the Kingdom of God truly is - all over the globe. We've had God-loving people from so many different cultures in our home...and been blessed. We love living here and raising our young sons here is a blessing.

One of my favorite things about living here is The Fourth of July Celebration. It begins with a parade through town. This is unlike any other parade I've ever attended...it's charming and endearing. You won't find a marching band - but, you might find a kids from the daycare throwing candy, the local swim club squirting the audience as they walk the parade route, every truck that the volunteer firefighters have parading through town, people walking with their pets, and even a synchronized lawnmower group performs. A local family even decorated an old car and participated in the parade! It is an awesome experience! The video below will give you a taste of our "small town life." Be sure to notice the massive amounts of candy that are being thrown to my children, the fact that Luke is wearing his bike helmet (for the 3rd day in a row -only taking it off to bathe and sleep), and the synchronized lawn mower group. LOVE IT!

Favorite Foto Friday

This isn't exactly a favorite foto, but a favorite video for Friday. I am no wizard at Blogger videos, so I couldn't get the image to rotate - sorry that you have to tilt your head and risk a strained neck in order to enjoy this little nugget of entertainment. {grin} In my very humble opinion, it's completely worth the effort! This video was captured at Caleb and Matthew's first birthday party...we had a house full of family and friends, hence the conversation going on in the background. Matthew was making the most of his very first experience with a sugary cake - almost overwhelmed the poor little guy. Near the end of the video, you'll see that he is either slipping into a sugar-induced coma or looking for more efficient ways to cram cake into his mouth. {grin} He is simply adorable...and this video makes me smile.

Have you heard this book?

I am a lover of books...but, don't have much time for reading these days. Well, I actually do have time for reading daily - usually, it's something from the Children's Section of our local library and read to an audience of 4 little men. {grin}
Because I am a lover of books, I often get myself into a "pickle" with my reading. I have several books going at once and I want to read them all - it's overwhelming. For instance, I am currently reading 5 books: one is fiction, another is a parenting book, one is a book on quilting, there's a discipleship book, and another is a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. About a month ago, an old friend told me I HAD to read, "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I added it to my wish list and made plans to ask for it for my birthday this fall. Imagine my joy this morning when I discovered that an audio recording of this book is available for FREE at ChristianAudio.com. The book is now waiting for me on my Ip*d...I can't wait to listen to it as I walk tonight. God is so good! So, have you heard this book?

Favorite Foto Friday

My sweet Lukey-boy diligently coloring at the kitchen table. He was choosing each color with great care from the big box of 64 colors. I was watching him ever so closely...they weren't washables and he has a history of graffiti. (grin)

Random Thoughts

I just finished cleaning the kitchen...it's late and I'm tired, but the music on my Ipod helped me to find some "joy" in my job tonight. While I was cleaning, my mind was full of very random thoughts. Among the thoughts was, "I should write this stuff down. Some day I'll look back on this season of my life, and I will have forgotten how sweet it was and how God was working in my life."
So, here it is:

• Sam (5) has a very good friend just two doors down from our house. They play together several times a week - at our house or his. Joshua and Sam ride bikes in our cul de sac nearly every night after dinner. They do their best to avoid hitting Luke - who has no appreciation for the "rules of the road." {grin} Joshua and Sam have so much in common: they are both 5 (S was born just 3 days before J), they are both gentle and tender-hearted boys, they are both easily intimidated by aggressive children, they both enjoy super heroes and Star Wars (although neither of them has seen the movie). When Sam returned from a play date at Joshua's a few weeks ago, I asked what they had played. Sam said, "We played Joseph." I wracked my brain trying to think of what this meant - a new Star Wars guy? I pressed Sam for more information and he replied with, "Mom, like Jesus being born...his mom and dad." These boys are so blessed to have one another - and we are so blessed to have friends like the Chen family to walk alongside as we each work to honor God in raising our sons to be men of God.
• I never thought that getting older would be a blessing, but it is. I am really growing in confidence in the Lord and who I am in Him. For example, I am more willing to just simply obey - even when I don't understand. It isn't always easy...but, I am learning to do it without questioning. Mind you, it's in small ways...but, I am learning. For example, I was shopping for groceries very late one night last week...and I dreaded it. It seems that the store is full of grumpy parents and very tired children who should be in bed...instead, they are crying and getting reprimanded by their parents. It makes me crazy! So, I prayed on my way to the store that I would have grace for the task...and that there would be no angry parents shouting at their children. Sure enough, I passed a dad and his three young children in the frozen food section. They were talking and laughing, so sweet. The dad pulled his littlest boy close and hugged him tight and told him he was so glad to be his daddy. I nearly cried...but, instead I smiled. Our paths crossed several more times as we each made our way up and down the aisles. At one point, I overheard the little girl ask if they had enough money to buy Che*t-os. The dad did some quick calculations in his head, and excitedly answered "Yes, we do!" She grinned from ear to ear. As I was leaving, I passed them in the "arcade" area near the exit. They were laughing and enjoying the driving game together. I walked through the exit and then immediately knew that I was to go back and give them a few more dollars to play games with. I had a short conversation with God in my mind, "Are you serious? I don't even know them? I am really a shy person..." I knew God would win...so, I looked into my wallet and found a 20 dollar bill, and three 1 dollar bills. This was a miracle in itself - I rarely carry more than a few dollars in cash. So, I went back in...sheepishly approached them and told the dad that he had blessed me. I told him that I loved watching him really enjoy his children...his little girl grinned at me and said (in a thick southern accent), "My daddy is the best!" I handed him 3 dollars (thinking my hubby wouldn't be happy about me giving a stranger 20 dollars for games) and told him to enjoy a few more games on me. As I walked away, I heard him say, "Yippee, 12 more games!" I still can't believe that God asked me to do that - but, I am so thankful that I did. I told Brad about this...he said, "Why didn't you give him the twenty?" I love that man!
  
• My heart is breaking for those who have had a bad experience with the church...and been hurt deeply as a result. Not sure what to do about it just yet...but, I feel like God is working.
• I stink at being consistent in disciplining my children. ugh. Sometimes, I just get tired or lazy.
• I am really more rebellious than I would like to be. For example, when people ask if we are finished "growing" our family (always asked with a twisted face that implies we'd be foolish to have more children)...I secretly long to answer with something like, "actually, I am expecting" or "we are adopting." I know that our family is large by some standards, but it's all relative (pardon the pun {snort})...many families are much larger than ours. Usually, I smile and say how blessed we are...and that we're not certain what God has in mind for our family.
  
• I love being a mom of boys.
  
• I don't have anxiety about Sam beginning Kindergarten this fall. He is a momma's boy and I know he'll struggle initially. However, he is so ready to go - academically and socially. It's going to be a huge adjustment for all of us. I think I am really going to miss having him around in the afternoon.
• Matthew is sick with a virus of some sort and running a really high fever...I know it's twisted, but I have really enjoyed some extra snuggles with him today! The twins are on the move constantly these days, so snuggles are more difficult to come by.
  
• Caleb is obsessed with sitting on the couch. The only problem is that he has no idea how to get down...or that the fall could be painful. It is a source of anxiety.
• Matthew is a climber, for sure. He scaled the kitchen chair and onto the table in a matter of seconds while Brad was filling his sippy-cup with milk. Can't even imagine what this will look like in a few weeks. ugh. The joys of boys!
  
• Luke has worn through another pair of shoes in just 4 short weeks. He has this little "green man" riding toy that he loves dearly...he zooms up and down the driveway and he uses his feet to brake. I bought another pair of "durable looking" shoes. We'll see how long they last.
• My husband is an entrepreneur at heart. He always has something brewing in his mind. It's sometimes a source of stress for me...I value stability! (grin) However, God is teaching me to truly love my hottie boy for who he is...just as God intended him to be. So, Brad is teaching me through his ventures into gardening, composting, rain water collecting, fish guiding, etc... and I am learning to enjoy the ride. {grin}
• I love that God still uses music to stir my heart and make my eyes leak. It makes me wish I could sing well...or at least on key. I love that He loves my praise anyway! What a good God!
  

Favorite Foto Friday

I love this picture because it really captures who Brad is as a "daddy" to my little men. He was putting the "big boys" to bed...this is a real treat, for sure. The big boys often ask Daddy to put them to bed...which is a blessing to this tired mom.
Our bedtime routine involves reading one "fun" story (apparently this night's pick was "The Magic School Bus") and then doing our devotional book, "Step into the Bible." We love this book...written just for children, it has great questions after each Bible story. These questions are age-appropriate and spark great conversation for our family. Sam and Luke really enjoy this special time, we even wrote a special "Step into the Bible" song that we sing...a jazzy little number that we sing when I get the book down from the shelf each night. After filling our hearts and minds with God's word, we pray together before we turn out the light...and hopefully fall fast asleep quickly! I am so blessed to have a husband who delights in his children and his wife!