thinking out loud..

Bugsy insisted I twist his hair into a towel so we could be ninja's together.
Cause that's how we roll when it's raining outside and it's week 8 of the school holidays.
Everyone else was glued to screens.
The simple things that put a smile on his dial.

During a temper tantrum during the week {mine, not theirs} I realised that actually parenting is really, really hard.
I keep forgetting and it surprises me every time.
Sometimes I forget that six children is a large number too.
I was having an internal temper tantrum.
Grrrr.  Wet towels on the floor.  Dirty dishes left on the kitchen bench.  Lychee skins and stones left ALL over the house.  And they were just the things for which Dave and I were responsible.
You don't want to know what I found in a school bag last week.  Blech.

I've been a parent for 15 years.

Surely, you can get good at ANYTHING after 15 years??

If I spent 15 years learning to tap dance, I'm sure I'd be freakin' awesome.

How can I sometimes still be so incredibly inept at parenting?

I'm not the worst mother in the world, but truly.....I can't help but be disappointed in how I handle some aspects.

No false modesty here.

Not fishing for compliments.

Just being honest.

If you were a fly on the wall, you'd understand.

Do you know what I did the other day?

I put my fingers in my ears and starting saying "Lalalalalalalalala" to show them that I wasn't listening.

Seriously.

Can't believe I'm telling you this.

This journal is fab.

I'm doing a daily{ish}journal through scripture which is really helping my heart understand some truths that I struggle with.

I'm particularly encouraged by the people that God uses.

He discounts talent, position, ability, wealth.

God was truly the first equal opportunity employer.

My friend Cathy was at a Christian teacher's conference today and she shared with me this great story from one of the speakers:

"I didn't used to let my children help wash my car.  But in my old age, I've learnt to lighten up and now let my young granddaughter help.  She does a terrible, terrible job, but I praise her and tell her how amazing she is anyway, while I do the lion's share of the work.  Each time, she will walk into the house and announce to her Grandmother and parents "Yes!!  I washed the car!  I did a fantastic job!!"  little fists pumping the air in celebration and victory.   This is what we do with God's ministry.  We pump the air with our fists, slap ourselves on the back "Yes!  Look what I did! My ministry! I was amazing!"  God must just shake his head at our ability to conveniently discount his handiwork when it suits us."

*gulp*

I put together my schedule for my home bible study group for the term.

I love those girls.

They are my sisters from other misters.

We're going to study Crazy Love later on this term which I'm super excited about.

We're also going to drink lots of coffee and try to stick to fruit platters whilst sneaking Lindt balls.

Mimi's back from camp.

Yay!

All my little birds are back in the nest.

Her faith inspires me.

Someone at her school saw a scripture quote on her laptop wallpaper and said to her "Are you a Jesus freak or something?" {this is at a Christian school}

She said, "Um, I don't know.  I just think what He taught is really amazing."

"Oh.  Okay then.  No worries." they said.

Cool as a cucumber.

I would have been a blubbering, hot mess of insecurities if someone had challenged me that way at her age.

The Goofballs and I made these drink coasters a couple of weeks ago.

Very easy craft.

Thank you Pinterest.

Then they made one especially for Daddy:

He loves it 150%.

Love you more than my bottle of mod-podge,

Meredy xo