Our boys’ schedules have been pretty full so far this summer with mission trips and camps. Our oldest two have been gone more than they’ve been home, and their summer fun has just begun.
I’m thankful to have them home for a couple of weeks after missing them while they’ve been off having grand adventures. Today, I had a great day planned (in my ideal mind). Malachi and I had appointments in Lincoln, which is about an hour away, and all of the boys needed to do some shopping, which required their feet coming along to Lincoln with me so that they could try on shoes.
Therefore, I thought that having all four of my boys together for a special outing sounded like a perfect way to enjoy time together since we’ve been so scattered for the past few weeks.
Uh-huh. Well, parts of it were fine and fun. And of course, I always love being with my kids even when they don’t act like angels. I don’t always act like an angel either, so I can’t fault them for being less than perfect. But wow. Today was a bit of a doozy.
There were too many feet and too many shoes that needed my “here let me feel your toe” expertise all at the same time – not to mention the fact that some of them weren’t looking at price tags before trying on shoes, so even if the toe was in the right place, it didn’t matter because $59 for a pair of shoes was not going to come close to making the cut. Then while one was trying on shorts, the others didn’t seem to know what to do with themselves so they found ridiculous ways to occupy themselves within the racks of clothes.
That was all before lunch. You don’t want to know what happened after that. I’m not kidding.
I’m sharing this on Gratituesday because while it’s tough to be grateful for a day that didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, and while I’m a bit discouraged and so tired I can barely type, life could be so much worse. It’s all a matter of perspective and hey, I still got to spend the day with all my boys. I’ve learned through parenting that it’s best to let go of the “ideal” and just embrace reality and be thankful for God’s grace. Today (especially the after lunch part) was a lesson in humility. It was good for me (she says as she chokes down pride).
For the record – and I may feel differently after a good night’s rest – I’m not sure I plan to take them shopping ever again so help me…or until their feet grow another shoe size, whichever happens first. So I think I should be good for about another two weeks.
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I love you, Laura! And your crazy boys. Get some rest, you’ll feel better in the morning.
So sorry for a not-fun day. My kiddos had fun all sleeping in the living room last night, and they were planning how they were all going to do it again tonight. I told them I was really happy they wanted to sleep together in one room– and to remember how much they like it… We leave next week for a 3 week road trip and they will be sharing a room most nights! I have a feeling there will be some “not-fun” moments/days like you had today! Oh well… we’re making memories! One day (hopefully!) you’ll laugh about today! ;-)
Just be glad that it happened in a town an hour away, mine have actually misbehaved around people we will see again, ALL. THE. TIME. ;) Have a great rest of the week. It does get better, my teens embarrass me in a whole different way now. bahahahaha
Ahhh. This is the exact kind of day I had with my four kids today. Not my one of my best mommy days. Thanks for the words of encouragement to accept grace!
I have a 2yr old, 4 yr old, and 7 yr old, so I know EXACTLY what you mean! Those “less than ideal” shopping trips happen. Even with the most carefully executed planning. I know during those crazy moments mine are still going to remember the outing, and every detail of how their Momma acted. Haha. Generally ends with me signing, “I need six eyes, I need six feet in front of me please”, pretty loudly just to round them all back up. Oh the looks I have gotten from other shoppers. But in hindsight, it is pretty funny. This too shall pass.
I am SO glad you are real Laura. You sharing that helps your readers see you as human and not perfect, sitting up on a pedestal with a halo around your head. Thanks for being real.
This was the second Sunday I was not in the pew but hanging over a birth tub helping a Mama give birth at home. This is Baby V for me, 22 births under my belt. That is what I am thankful for today.
Blessings
Jill
Some days are so much harder than others. Just last week we had VBS week. After four straight nights we skipped the last night due to weather and had a fun filled family night with a movie and games. After we recuperate we always remember that even the not so fun moments are ones to be cherished.
I’ve had some shopping fiascos with my kiddos too! :) Part of it is my expectation and picture of how everything is going to go, completely forgetting that kids are kids and my kids don’t necessarily love to shop, although playing in the racks of clothes rates high with them and not so high with me. I always picture them walking nicely along stopping to thumb through racks together. I wonder why I think that? heehee!
There are days I would rather do ANYTHING than shop with my boys….but they are all a blessing (which I sometimes have to remind myself…over and over and over!) Glad mine aren’t the only ones that can be a, shall we say, handful!
Thank you , for sharing this story! I will echo what others have already said … it makes you more REAL to know that you have days like this, too! This reminds me of when I recently took my four shoe shopping. The three oldest (girls) took over an hour looking, trying on, changing their minds, etc. Meanwhile, the youngest (a boy)took all of three minutes to find his size in a style he liked. He came around the corner announcing that he had his pair of shoes (what IS it with men?) … and do you know, they worked for me, too! I was so relieved and pleased until I realized that he would then need to find a way to entertain himself until his sisters were done. This he did by “decorating” himself with tons of necklaces, bracelets, hats, etc. and admiring the effect in the full-length mirror. I was mortified! But the rest of the customers were highly entertained. Oh well, …. GRACE!
Ahhh there are days that I am so grateful that my five are all grown up and on their own! I am also grateful that when picky youngest daughter needs clothes our ‘smarter’ that Mom older daughter goes shopping with her while Nana keeps the baby!
I do remember the days like you just had and yes, I do believe God allows them to keep us humble. I went to a homeschool mother’s meeting many years ago and another mother went on and on to me about how wonderful my children were. I arrived home to find the little ones who were supposed to be supervised locked out of our oldest son’d room where he and our oldest daughter were throwing lit firecrackers out of the window onto the patio below!
I feel you! Took five of my kids to Staples yesterday and it was a great embarrassment!
I’m in the midst of a day like this today and I am so grateful for your post to encourage me to have the right perspective!
Oops! Double post. Sorry
I’m in the midst of a day like this today and I am so grateful for your post to encourage me to have the right perspective!
Definitely have had days like that! One one such day not long enough ago…ahem…one of my friends commented that it did her good to see that I got frazzled with things like that. I thought, “Well, if for no other reason, at least it made her day!” God works in mysterious ways! :)