I've Been Told I'm Normal...?

Normal... what is normal?  Do you live in the normal realm???? I'm not sure we do!  We (the kids and I) vacillate between the unique/extraordinary to the blah/boring... So much depends on the mood of the day... did we get enough sleep? Is the sun shining? Is there an adventure in the works... Lately, I've found my "mother rhythm" has been off. I've been struggling to gain perspective... I feel overwhelmed -- I'm told this is a "normal" feeling when you have young kids.  Instruction, discipline, consistency, cleaning, cooking... more cleaning ... are the nuts and bolts of my day...  

A friend shared Galatians 6:9 with me and it has been running through my head all week!  It says, 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, 

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

I've taken a deep breath -- it will all be okay... I just need to keep loving, instructing, disciplining... being consistent, cleaning, cooking -- and NOT GIVING UP!

... Here are some extraordinary memories from our past few days...

 Our friend Kasie brought us some fish.  She bought like 50 fish for her church's Valentine's Day Banquet centerpieces.  She saved us 7.  This fall I found a couple aquariums by our mailbox with a FREE sign on them.  I have plans to turn them into a gardening project with the kids, but the 7 fish needed a home.  Well... soon after Kasie left one of the fish "swam" to the bottom and began to "sleep"... later that afternoon we left for an hour and came home to find 4 more "sleeping" at the bottom of the tank...

 I figured it was a good opportunity to talk about "death"... It was a great little discussion with Ethan.  In the middle of our discussion he asked, "Why is heaven in the sky?" Trying explaining that to a kid!  I don't shy away from "uncomfortable" discussions with him -- I love talking about those difficult-to-understand things.  I find as I try to explain and describe things it makes me think... 

When we finally told the kids that 5 of the fish were dead ... they were okay.  We fished them out and I let them look at their bodies.  We had checked some fish books from the library and had even found a informative movie about fish ... I pointed out their body parts -- I definitely learned a bit about fish this past week!  They are beautiful little creatures!  

The next morning... only one was left swimming.  I was sure he would be gone by now... but last time I looked he is still splashing around!  On Saturday we went to the pet store and picked up 4 bigger goldfish.  Micah and the kids named them.  Spike, Cheese Puff, Freckles, and Stickers... Ethan named the little fish Little Bait... (cracked me up)! The lady at the pet store told me I need to clean their tank ONCE A WEEK!... Hum... wonder how long we will have these guys around?

Banana Popsicles 

 For family night Ethan and I made Banana Popsicles... they are tasty (and easy)! You cut up bananas into thick slices... lay them flat on a plate and put a toothpick into their centers and freeze them.  When they are completely frozen melt chocolate (I only had white almond bark), dip them in the chocolate and sprinkle with sprinkles. I had a cucumber so I poked the toothpicks in it until the almond bark was dry and then I put them back in the freezer.  Easy... and yummy... and cute!

 This weekend the boys got haircuts... I have a feeling when Ethan gets older he will let his hair grow long... because he HATES haircuts!

It was the most comical/ridiculous haircut EVER!  Ethan usually just screams during haircuts.  I am not sure it if is the sound of the clippers or the little bits of hair falling on his face (or a combination).  This time we put earplugs in his ears, gave him a wet washcloth to hold over his face, and then Micah held the vacuum and sucked up hair while I clipped.  WOW... it was a challenge -- and Ethan ended up screaming the whole time anyway, but hey we are trying!

We have another "normal" week in the works... (Actually) I'm in Great Falls, MT with Micah -- he had a meeting and I was up for a day away.  The kids are safe at home with Uncle Eli (at least I hope!)... we will get back to more vacillation from extraordinary to boring tomorrow... have a happy Tuesday.

ps... I might be back online on Thursday!  Micah is starting Seminary and needs to have the internet... YIPPPPPPEEE!