Stay In It

A Sunflower from my Garden, but I have not done much gardening recently!

Have you ever looked up and realized that time has just flown by you like a mosquito swatter on a hot Southern day?  That is how I feel about the past few months. I think it is just the result of having a few kids and hitting the ‘Tween’ and ‘Teen’ stages of their lives.  I swear I was just feeling like I was sequestered from the world in my house with a newborn, 18-month-old and a 3-year-old!  I was just there and those days seemed to really drag out, but seemed to be a blur at the same time.  Now my three kids are 13, 12 and 10.  What?  Slow down. Wait a minute.  Sit for a spell.

Ah housekeeping.  Never done.  Max, don't act like
you have not seen this before--I use it all the time!

Time flies so fast that some things fall by the roadside of life around here.  I have been beating myself up for not being able to complete various projects in my mental ‘To Do’ list since the summer.  Clean out things.  Find things.  File things. Paint things. Re-purpose things. Read things. Curtains.  Well, I need some more curtains. Anyway, here we are in mid-October.  The summer was great but school started way too quickly for my tastes.  The first day of school meant back to homework and activities and pounding an iron fist about studying and getting up earlier.  I think it is an added bonus that I have three kids in three different schools right now.  I have been frustrated.  I have felt hindered (not just with my ‘list’ but in the training of these kids and the preparing them). So with all the changes I have wondered, “What have I learned?”  I have decided to make a list of ‘Things’ I have learned in the past few months.

Here goes.  In the past few months I have learned:

• That I am reaffirmed in the fact that parenting will keep you on your knees…in prayer.
• That adolescent girls (and boys) have somewhat of a Jekyll-Hyde personality – like a viper snake on the turn of a dime.
• That just because at bedtime a kid says he wants a homemade breakfast burrito for breakfast the next day does not mean he wants it 8 hours later.  You gotta think on your feet.
• That sometimes I make my bed on school mornings and want to crawl back in.
• That I appreciate all the Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus classes…that my husband took.  He helps my teen and is my hero.
• That according to my kids, I am always trying to “hide” their shoes from them.
• That singing Reggae and doing ‘The Running Man’ dance move at 6:30 am does not help my teen get up.
• That I need to cherish my 5^th grader who still wants me to come eat lunch with her everyday…before she turns into a viper snake.
• That I know very little and my teen knows everything else (he forgets I have been there).
• That I really can get up at 5:30 am on school days to have quiet time…before the chaos.
• That juggling multiple kids at this age is like a 3-ring circus.  I have clowns, bears and monkeys. You can think of the pros but I know the cons.
• That kids and electronic devices play out like a saga from Star Wars. The Dark Side can put up a good fight, wielding words or complaints with Light Saber speed and ability.  May The Force be with you.
• That carpools are the true gifts that you would never really know how much you love…til now.
• That I am cool.  I really am.  Someone please let my kids know.
• That the time your child comes back to you and says, “You were right, Mom” about something big… well, that is like getting a pay raise.

I know I have learned more than just this short list.  I am sure it will all come back to me like a boomerang hitting me mid-forehead.  You have to laugh at the things in life that seem to be frustrating or hindrances.  Like bad behavior, for example.  I won’t go on my soap box but I hope I can look back and laugh at some of these.  None of us are perfect and we live in a fallen world.  It is like I told my son, “Look, all of you guys in 8^th grade…you are all doofuses. But I was one too.  We all were.  It is a part of growing and learning.  It is awkward being a kid sometimes.”  What I did not tell him- it is awkward being an adult sometimes!  We never quit learning.

So with all the hindrances we all encounter, we learn.  Some are good or just not necessarily bad.  Trials are trials and everyone goes through a hard time here and there.  Some days I feel like I am treading water and not making a good time on free-style swimming.  Heck, some days I am swimming against the current!  I find comfort in the promise of keeping my faith despite tough times, and this will teach me true patience and the ability to endure (James 1:2-3).  I love this quote from Beth Moore I ran across this week:  “If Jesus gives us a task or assigns us to a difficult season, every ounce of our experience is meant for our instruction and completion if only we will let him finish the work…”  I like to say, “Stay in it!”  That is one of my favorite expressions lately.  Press on.  Meanwhile, I will take any offered cages for my snakes, bears and monkeys.

With Joy,

Tracey

“…As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.” –James 1:2-4 (VOICE)

 

My sweet dog, Chopper.  Waiting to play.

I am with That Hotdog and Letting Go…Just a Bit!

The end of the school year is here and I am faced with the end of Elementary School for my daughter, Reese.  I can’t believe it is here and it seemed like yesterday we were watching her kindergarten graduation. How can that be possible?  Where did the time go? Am I dreaming?

Reese, my middle child, fits the profile of the ‘middle child’ in so many ways: peacemaker, loyal to peers, secretive and maybe even-keel.  I have been reading a book called, “The Birth Order Book” by Dr. Kevin Leman.  I will just say that this book is very interesting.  It will give you insight not only to your children, but your spouse and friends, etc.  I love what Leman says about ‘middles’, “I’m not alone in saying that middle children are a mystery.”  This refers to the fact that these middle child profiles are sometimes contradictory depending on the family dynamics.  Well, MY middle child does seem to have certain mysterious qualities about her!

I guess I am referring to the secretive ways she will go about her ‘business’.  Now, she is very open with us, but there is sneakiness to some things.  For example, you might find a candy stash in her room at any moment.  Another example, you may take her to get an ice cream shake and then later she has talked her dad into a trip to Baskin Robbins.  It is no secret that this girl loves food (a girl after my own heart)!  She has enjoyed more of an adult palate, has eaten a variety of food for years and really gets a good tug by her sweet tooth.  Reese has been called out by her friends as ‘happily swinging her legs’ during lunch at school.  She eats with glee.

As a middle child, Reese has found her niche as the family comedienne.  Loves a good joke.  Can seriously take a joke. Thrives on funny banter.  We can count on her to be the object of a fun prank, and then she can laugh about it almost immediately.  When she ran for a student council position this year, she loved the slogan:  A Treat You Can’t Beat – Vote 4 Reese.   Then wore a hotdog costume for her campaign poster picture!  One of my favorite pics is a picture of the two of us and I have a sign that says: I am with THAT hotdog!

I'm with THAT Hotdog!

Reese can be the peacemaker, but then also take sides in sibling argument exhibitions.  You may not know which side she will take at any given moment.  Then she will find herself in trouble for interjecting an objection or an alibi for one sibling.  It is all in the life of a Simpson, you truly never know what you will get. 

We all have our faults, and certainly in my house we have a few volumes of faults that anyone could file into different categories.  I try to teach my kids-and remind myself-that we can take our faults and use them to grow.  We are all different and this is a good thing!  I do have one question, why am I the one who must kill a bug when the kids find one?  I thought they would outgrow this!  I want some ‘sameness’ here.  Don’t be afraid.

With all seriousness, I do love and appreciate the differences of my three children.  Reese can be so caring and thoughtful.  I can often see her wheels turning in her head and then she will tell me something profound, sweet or funny.  I love the way she thinks and her expressions on her sweet face.  Reese also seems to have a way with animals.  It is funny that our dog and cat react to her differently than the others.  Reese does not rough-house with them and they are gentler with her.  I love her tenacious mentality when she is not able to do something well.  She makes up her mind and keeps working.  Reese is not perfect in this category and has experienced a few meltdowns.  But I have seen her grow.  She is a horse-lover (gets that honest, sorry Mr. Lizzard), and has come so far in her riding.

I am not sure what the Lord has planned for this child.  With each of my kids, I pray for them as they grow.  I want them to be confident in the Lord and want what God wants in their life.  Our job is to teach them, love and protect them. 

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. -Proverbs 22:6

It is so hard to do so often!  I struggle in this parenthood job more than any other job I have ever had.  This brings me back to why I am so weepy when they finish significant chapters in their little lives.  Each time they start a new chapter, I have to let go just a little.  It feels so hard to protect these kids when they are a little more independent.  Not just independent as they can get dressed and brush their hair and use the microwave, but independent from needing me. They don’t need me as much to have long conversations or play.  I need to keep reminding myself that they will always need me.  Unconditional love is what I have.  Just as the Father loves me in the crappy, goofy, sinful ways I exist, I love them.  Always.

So cheers to you Moms and Dads out there that become a little sappy with every new chapter!  We are kin in this way.  I will cry.  I always do.  (First and foremost, I am not as much of a hugger as I am a CRYER.  Know this.) I tear up.  There is joy in this!  I remind myself to focus on the future.  I wrote Reese a letter last night.  At the end I told her,

“Daddy and I love you and we are very proud of you.  We are so excited to see what God has planned for you.  Don’t think there is no plan, God has one.  Pray about it and seek His Will in your life.   He has claimed you here:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. –Jeremiah 29:11”

This is Big Joy. 

With Joy,

Tracey   

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Spring Mom Teetering on Epic Fail

Finally, SPRING!

Ah, spring is here and the flowers are finally blooming!  Here in the Mid-South, we are having some warm weather as well!  With spring, comes the wrapping up of all-things-kid. It’s the end of activities, the end of school, and the end of a small era.

Unfortunately for me, this causes great grief and sadness.  Why?  Well, I am always sad to see my kids grow a bit older.  The bigger reason is I just cannot seem to balance all that I am ‘supposed’ to balance:  deadlines, performances, field trips, gifts, cards, forms, planning for summer, laundry.  Actually, laundry stays on the Can’t Deal list.  It is like I am in a giant funnel and I have one foot in and one foot out!

I laugh out loud at many awesome women that are bloggers and writers and seem to feel the same.  Jen Hatmaker and Kay Wyma are two that have floored me recently as if they read my mind.  My mouth fell open as I read and know that I am not alone.  Honestly, there is no one to blame and it is part of life.  Teachers from school and activities are ending their year.  I love teachers dearly and they do not get paid enough for all they do.  They have lots to do and are trying to finish strong and make a few things fun for the kids.

Why is it so hard for me to juggle it all?  I am not that September mom.  I am not coming off of a long summer with longing for a structured schedule for my kids.  I am no longer eager for new school supplies and a fresh start for my kids.  I am weary from multi-tasking and running crazy and asking, “Have you done your homework?”  I can’t seem to remember to sign folders and secretly hope my husband checked that box.  “What day?” “What time does it start?”  “The deadline is tomorrow?!!?”  These are the things coming out of my mouth.  My daily prayer is for organization and priorities.  I think I need priorities for my priorities!

If you have more than 3 kids, I honestly don’t know how you do it.  I am outnumbered, big time.  I feel I could be on a commercial, “Two out of three Simpson kids have clean socks.  Don’t be a Simpson, be organized.”  It is triple-threat around here.  We have some kids who throw out all rules of basic this-sort-of-goes-together fashion.  We have kids who have grown about 3 inches either in height or shoes.  We need haircuts and I don’t know when to fit them in!  You may see us coming, a Muppet family of shaggy hobos.

My recent email to my child’s teacher was a Step One in admitting I have a problem.  Of course I had to apologize as well.  I realized I was a super-slacker and missing some things.  It went like this:

“Firstly, I must say that I am now NOT the mom I was back in the fall (not that I was awesome).  I am slowly losing my mind, my will, and my time.  I can’t seem to remember much with all of the chaos of ‘end of year’ approaching—that encompassing both school and other activities!  I am happy to say I am not losing my sense of humor, I find I must laugh at myself daily and the mess I seem to dredge through and cook on high heat.

This is not a surprise to me, as the alter-ego version of the ‘school mom’ rears its ugly head about the same time each year.  You would think I could be prepared for this, but alas, no.  So, I am apologizing for my lack of attention to detail.  I guess admitting this is the first step, right?  Forgive me and I will do my best to keep my head above water for these next few weeks.”

Of course she was super sweet and made me feel better about my shortcomings.

So I will march on, ya’ll.  I will keep on getting up before my kids to have my quiet time.  That keeps me the most sane, I promise. 

One of my distractions each morning during my early quiet time

I will continue to plug in everything I can into my calendar and set 40 reminders to go off on both my computer and email.  I will do my best to avoid the teetering on the small ‘epic fail’ that seems to follow me like a shadow.  If I forget, give me some grace.  Summer is coming, thank goodness!

With Joy,

Tracey

To read the blog posts I mentioned, click the links:

 Jen Hatmaker: http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever

Kay Wyma: http://www.themoatblog.com/2014/05/mayday-mayday-one-moms-adrift/

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Oh and I have not even started in my flower beds!!!
Thank goodness for independent growth! 

Restyling A Cabinet and Creating a Mirror - The Dust Bunnies Applaud!

Out with the old and in with the new…or in with the restyled…or in with the created-from-whatever.  The New Year will always seem to do one of two things for me:  1. Grant me a feeling of excitement to tackle new lists and projects, or 2. Make me wander aimlessly around my house as I try to clean up after the holidays and feel a sense of ‘funk’.  This year, I am leaning towards the latter.  Maybe it is so cold and yucky here in the Mid-South and that is keeping my creative processes at bay.  Just writing this post took a few weeks because of stopping and starting!  Whatever the reason, I must snap out of it.

I made a small bit of progress with my china cabinet right before school started back.  I can’t seem to make

My China Cabinet

much headway with really anything while the kids are out for Christmas break.  I tackled this small project to make myself feel like an accomplished housekeeper.  The dust bunnies admired my work with me when I managed to finish this mission.

After inspiration from many pictures of styled china cabinets on the internet, every single piece was removed from behind the glass doors and washed down.  Then the shelves were cleaned.  I moved things out for good.  My results are simple but clean.

 

Cleaning that glass and a few mirrors reminded me of other mirrors that need attention around here. I try to hit a few as I decorate for Christmas.  There is one project that I created last year from random scraps of wood on a budget.  It is my narrow trumeau mirror. It was a ‘test’ project, but I like how it turned out and it has a spot in my family room now!

I had seen these French-style mirrors on the Internet and loved, LOVED them.  I was inspired by Susie Harris’ Blog ( link SusieHarrisBlog) and her DIY post on these mirrors!  Then I was at the Home Depot one day and found a scrap piece of wood that was marked to a few dollars, so I grabbed it. 

Before, making something out of nothing.

It was long and narrow.  My next purchases were molding, decorative wood elements, and inexpensive 8x10 mirrors.


I spent the next week attaching the molding, filling wood, distressing mirrors and then finally painting it. 

The finished project!

 I gave it an old white chalk paint base coat and brushed over with golden yellow chalk paint.  There was some distressing before a final antique wax coat.

You can’t beat a test project that seems to work, especially when you do not spend much money on it.  I keep telling that to Mr. Lizzard but he just rolls his eyes.  Of course, he is probably thinking of my projects that may cost a little more.

So this brings me back to the beginning and the ‘funk’ of cleaning up and cleaning out.  January seems to be a funky month for many.  You are in the slum of the lows because Christmas is over.  It is cold…and here it is abnormally cold.  It is dreary. I, like some of you, get a little bluesy with the dust and clutter and all of these other things I have mentioned.  A piece of encouragement is peace.

“My peace is such an all-encompassing gift that it is independent of circumstances.  Though you lose everything else, if you gain My Peace you are rich indeed.” – From Jesus Lives by Sarah Young

And then there is one of my favorite verses (that I should read to myself daily), Philippians 4:6-7:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Amen to that.  Now go out and encourage each other.  Pray hard.  Get that dustpan out and whistle while you work!

With Joy,

Tracey 

Pink Lizzard Designs