Phases and grace go hand in hand

Well it has been over a year and a half since my last posts. Funny how while some things have changed for the most part life seems to just have continued on.

One thing that I notice about having 5 kiddos is that we always seem to be in the midst of phases. One child is leaving a phase to have the next go through it. The never ending revolving door of phases. lol 

I wonder if past parents just started the saying "it's just a phase" as a way to be hopeful. Being just a phase means that at some point then, that this phase will come to an end and yhur child(ren) will one day move past this annoying, hair pulling out, screaming inducing part of their childhood, leaving you hopefully in a better spot sanity wise.

Of course what most will never tell you is that your child will then likely start a new phase, often a harder phae. A new area to test your parenting skills at and then you cling to that hope once more. And if you have more than one child(or for you real nuts like me, many more children) then you will have multiple children, in multiple phases all at once. Pulling you in so many different directions that your head will spin. And your sanity you ask? Well it is better to just wave goodbye to it, because it wont be returning anytime soon.

Then when you are at your wits end, rocking back and forth in the corner, babbling to yourself reminding yourself "It's just a phase" the universe will grant you a huge blessing and you will see your child doing something completely amazing, like reading a book to a younger sibling or playing nicely all together without fighting, or a family or friend will call you up to share something sweet and kind your child did or said, and you will realize that whatever you are doing as a parent, whatever you are saying to child amidst what seems to be constant yelling and correcting at times, that they are turning into some amazing little people.

You will look back at your outing to Walmart with them and how you felt they were running all over and everyone who passed you was staring at you and questioning your parenting skills and why you even felt qualified to entertain the idea of children and you will take off the non rosed color glasses and realize that your outing and the perception of the trip was two different things.

I remember once when Emmy was tiny and John and I took all 5 kiddos out for lunch. Emmy was needing attention and the others were just being kids. We had decided to take them to a little diner, which we regretted because it was full of elderly couples and we were sure we were ruining their lunch. Here I was a tired mom, with a tiny baby and 4 young children, whose only real "crime" was acting like normal children and I felt like a failure.

Then as we were leaving we had a lady come up and tell us she was a retired teacher and her husband and her enjoyed seeing our family and mentioned how well behaved our kids were. John and I looked at each. "BEHAVED?" but as we looked through the eyes of grace and mercy and saw the reality of the day, we saw they were actually pretty good. And to top it all off we found out a lovely gentleman paid for our lunch, also commenting on how well behaved our children were.

So fellow parents, whatever PHASE you find yourself and your children to be in in this season of your life, show yourself and your children some grace. Someday you might actually miss this season of life. (I know, I know, it seems unlikely, but trust me, it does happen)

Splash Pad

This past week on John's days off we took the kids to the splash pad not once, but TWICE! Daddy decided after going last week that he would wear his suit and play with the kids. Mommy didn't want to get wet though and was enjoying reading a book and staying dry. Of course that was until JJ, Kennedy, and Livie decided they were cold and wanted Mommy to hold them.

The kids were all fighting over my lap. Livie was very upset that the others had the nerve to sit on my lap.

Daddy enjoyed playing with his Jet Plane.

 Kennedy was upset that Livie was taking up Mommy's lap.

 Livie thrilled that she ran off the other kids.

 Daddy playing with Alex.

 Everyone was tired of Ryan dumping water on them so he only could dump it on himself.

Cheesey smile!

Had a really fun day with the kids today. I almost just kept us all home because I wanted to just veg for the day. But I decided to get us all out of the house for a while so John could enjoy a quiet house to sleep in. We all got ready and headed to Walmart to get a few things and to get Alex's haircut.

On the way we past the jail that they were tearing down the saw that it looked like it would come down soon, so we drove around the block, parked, and headed over to the courthouse across the street from the jail to watch the destruction. It was so awesome! I have never seen anything like that. When it came down I seriously sat their with my mouth wide open, amazed at what I had just seen. The kids that it was the best thing ever. Glad we stopped to watch. Don't get to see that everyday.

Then we loaded up and went to Walmart, got Alex's haircut, and then picked up stuff to make pigs in a blanket, veggie pizza, turkey roll-ups, and summer sausage plate for dinner in honor of the Husker game day. We then dropped all that off at home and headed to our next stop, which was a total surprise for the kids.

Ryan came home with a flyer for an event at one of the banks and so I thought it would be fun. Didn't figure it would be as big as it was. They had tons of carnival games, bouncy houses, face painting(I was a bunny), hair spray dye, food, fresh popped popcorn(thanks to my father-in-law), a really fun talent show, and a photo booth wear you could put on different funny props and get you picture taken.

So of course before we left we all got decked out all goofy and took a series of pictures. It was so much fun and such a good memory. The best things about it all was that it was all free. The whole thing did not cost me a dime. Oh and they had a nice petting zoo with miniture baby horses, a calf, chickens, rabbits, llamas, lambs, and A BABY PIG! Livie loved all the little animals.

So we had such a fun morning/early afternoon. Loved spending times with the kids, just wish John had been able to come.