Friday, August 22, 2008

It Was the Best of Times, but It Wasn't the Worst of Times

I didn't think I could possibly write another post about it being the end of summer (blah, blah, blah) and I'm sad the kids are going back to school (blah, blah, blah) and I'm concerned that #3 is sitting with a moody "popular" girl at her desk cluster (blah, blah, blah) and #1 has advance math this year, along with peer pressure out the wazoo to be someone she was not created to be (blah, blah, blah).....and #2, well, she's actually the one with friends in her class and a teacher that seems great, so I can't really "blah, blah, blah" much there.

Our summer is like a movie passing before my eyes. The good, the boring, and the ugly. I will admit we faced our challenges this summer. Growing pains. All of us. And, I could spend the first week of school feeling guilty for all the times I yelled at the girls or missed opportunities because I just wasn't in the mood to play "princess". There was a lot of arguing and hurt feelings around here, which seemed to be a common theme in a lot of other families I know. Sometimes I miss the days when they rolled around on the floor wrestling over a toy. The words they say now and lack of consideration for one another are much more painful then slugging it out and being done with it. And, I can get in there and do some verbal damage, myself.

But, good things have happened, too. We have had some fun times, some times growing in the Lord, and even as recently as last night, a breakthrough with #1 and #2 communicating what they need from each other to be loved better. There has been an increase of self control and obedience in our home. Now, we are working on adding the word "cheerful" to that! And, we have bonded. A bond that cannot be severed. Going to the gym and pool together. Playing cards together. Quiet talks. Snuggles in the morning when we don't have to jump out of bed to rush off somewhere. Praying together. Worshiping together. Making ice cream sundaes for dessert. Just smiling and tickling and hugging all over each other.

Those are the memories I plan to dwell on when they are at school!

2 comments:

The Gang's Momma! said...

Aaaaw, so sweet. I think we all have things we would rather not remember about this summer - Dr. D and LadyBug and their on-going war for territorial rights, here! But over all, it's been a great summer and that's what I'm dwelling on too.

Beautiful Grace said...

Philippians 4:8 (Amplified Bible)
"For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]."

The Lord is teaching me, also to meditate on the good and not the "ungood." Bless you in your pursuit.