myShannonigans

Finally, life slows down a little and we got a little family time last night! After a full day of cleaning (which my kids hate!)...my solution...pick up what you get out and I won't make you clean it up AGAIN! They have become slobs lately...but we are working on that!

A day of moving a daughter in (which my kids are all fighting for their own rooms)...do they not know they are in a family of 10! Letting them each have a voice so they are heard but then dad and I making the final decision. The sweet days of knowing whose room is whose is OVER! They better learn to flex because when it is their turn to leave and come home I am sure they will want their siblings making room for them too.

So it was nice to have a family moment after dinner and watch a movie. My heart is full when my living room is complete with almost all my children here! YES, we are missing our senior, MalPal! It was fun having our college girl back though.

A scramble for the couch and popcorn being popped. WE chose a football movie, "Hometown Legend". Everyone has their seats and the toddler has grabbed the empty laundry basket. Sat it in the middle of the room, flipped it upside down, and you have instant front row seating! It didn't take him long to get involved into the show! (He reminds me of his oldest brother at that age!)

It was in moments and he was fully engaged into the show. Standing on top of the laundry basket he is shouting, making football motions, and then dive and roll to the ground. He WAS one of the players by now!

Getting into the action even more....(notice him on his toes...body is ready to perform!)




Jump, drop, roll.....

I can say we all fully enjoyed him getting into the movie!

Of course then he made his big move. He was so into the show that he jumped down ran to block and completely held the bigscreens position. YES....he ran and tackled the players on the bigscreen...shoving the flatscreen back. REALIZING...that might not have been the best play, he began shouting...."sorry daddy, sorry daddy"!

We first all gasped! Then we all tried to hide our laughter for fear he would go at it again.

Dad lets him know to never tackle the T.V. again, "yes, sir daddy"!

Another moment to cherish as a family! All of us in full agreement that the toddler is hilarious!

God gave me children to learn more about Him! I'm pretty sure a day has not gone by that in some way He hasn't taught me something through my children. People sometimes think we are crazy for having 8 kids. All I can say...it was God's plan. A friend of mine and I like to say we had more to learn so it took us 8 kids to be taught!

This morning is no different. It has never failed over the years that whoever the little one is at the time, will injure themselves, come running into the kitchen (because I live there most days), and with tears in their eyes want a gentle kiss from mom to fix the pain.

Last night an injured toe and today an injured thumb. I love how EVERY time this heals the hurt!

As he walked away with the tears gone and shouting "Thanks MOM", I couldn't help but giggle and know He understands my love a little more.

Is this not true of our Heavenly Father also?

When I am hurt, I run to the Father, and in some way He always gives me a gentle kiss. My pain decreases significantly when I run to him verses sitting in my pain. I can't think of one instance in which I ran to the Father that I didn't receive comfort.

Are you in pain today? I beg you to run to the Father and watch how He will bend down and give you a gentle kiss in some way.

Thank you Lord for my children that I can learn more about you.
Thank you Lord for your gentle kisses that allow me to see more of the love you have for me.
I am quite positive I have barely reached in the bucket of love you have for me, because I know my children cannot fathom my love for them!

Life will forever be changing around our home. We have reached THAT stage!

You know the STAGE of one kid out, another coming home, and yet another preparing to leave.

Life with 8 kids home and mom knowing the agenda has passed.
I am not the only one planning our days.
I am not the only one with an agenda.
I am not the only one with a car!

I truly believe we are at the hardest stage of life. (Don't we all feel that way at whatever stage we are in?) It is true! Whatever stage your are in....IS the hardest stage of life!

We have officially sent another child out the door. Can I really have 2 graduates now?!
We just moved her to another state for 2 months. I guess I am having to learn to adjust quicker! I was thinking I had till the fall to adjust but instead we graduate her one week and she is gone the next!

I really can't complain because God has been rather gracious to me. Sending my kids out slowly, bringing one back when one leaves, and providing great technology to stay in touch!

Now that we have the one back out, we are working on bringing one back in. As soon as that is complete we will be processing maybe our first child headed to school as a sophomore! Can't believe it! Kinda excited for it! Praying God will continue to work through all the details! I'm not sad, because he is ready. The time has come and he is ready to lead, go, be, do, and make impact! For now it is still in God's hands to finish out the plans of whether a private school is meant for him or not. It is up to us to have our hearts ready for the final decision because we are still unclear as to how this will happen. Waiting on God is NEVER easy because our expectations just might get in the way.

I am quite sure we will be plenty busy while all this takes place! We have about a gazillion loads of laundry to accomplish, an entire house to be cleaned from top to bottom, rooms to be adjusted and fixed as we are juggling one in and one out, mission trips, and youth events, school to plan, school to finish (yes, I said finish....we haven't completely finished everything:/) We have chopped up dead tree in our front yard that isn't sufficient to be hauled off (more chopping is recommended), leaves to rake, garages to clean! Leaking showers to find solutions too, cars to be fixed, and jobs to find. There are clothes to buy for our ever growing children which means shoes are next! This doesn't even account for another home school year to plan, a toddler to potty train, or the things I can't see!

All this to be done with a mom with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) that has to find some rest...HA!

I'm guessing summer isn't much like a vacation anymore:/ I can mourn what I don't have (vacations) or I can rejoice in what I do have (8 fabulous children)! I choose rejoicing in my exhaustion!