Laundromats and Character Lessons

Today the girls and I had an adventure at the laundromat where we took Lainey's comforter to be washed from the sickness of the other night. Okay, so it wasn't really an adventure, but it's amazing how fun some things can become when you talk them up in just the right way. "Look girls, it's spinning so fast and look at all the bubbles (that are cleaning away the chunks that almost made your Mama sick on the way over here)!" It's the little things in life. I can remember being in first grade and Mrs. Rice reading A Pocket For Corduroy which involves a little girl taking her dearly beloved bear to the laundromat only to have him get left behind to have many adventures. I always wanted to go to the laundromat once I heard that story, but don't think I ever did. So, now my girls can mark that off their list of dreams I am fulfilling vicariously through them.

Lainey and Sarah Grace also helped Lon build a lean-to outside today to hold some wood he's gotten recently. They were pretty good at helping bring nails, hold stuff, and asking a myriad of questions. They're good at the latter most all the time. What's that, why, and why not are things we hear on an hourly basis. The more I get into this motherhood thing, the more I realize just how very difficult it is. Because we want to be the kinds of parents who are very involved in what our children learn and not just hand them over to others who are deemed experts (a title which is often handed out with little forethought or checking of credentials), I feel that we are going to be very, very busy these next 18+ years. In spite of the lack of a 401K, retirement plan, vacation (what's that word mean?), or sick days, it's a job I wouldn't trade for any other. For those who think that being a stay at home mom is boring, think again!! There is so much to do. Not only do I have to teach these little people how to eat with utensils, tie their shoes, make their beds,etc., I (and Lon, as I am not alone in this endeavor) have to mold their little characters and teach them what it means to love Jesus and be like Him. That's the hard part because it's something that we often struggle with ourselves! They are depraved, albeit cute, willfully disobedient creatures who are struggling to do their own thing in this world, but so are we! Thankfully, we have been redeemed by a loving Savior who desires to make us more like Him and Who will walk ahead, beside, and behind us as we seek to teach these girls important things such as the importance of serving others (this lesson often is taught through not saying "Me first" when it comes to brushing your teeth or getting your vitamins), praying for others, trusting God, and being humble. I'm so grateful that I'm not on my own there because I would fail miserably. So, as I go to bed tonight wondering if I taught my girls anything today besides the importance of never getting into a clothes dryer and closing the door (yes, Sarah Grace tried this) or of not throwing a piece of wood and hitting your sister in the head because she took a toy that you really wanted to play with (yep, Sarah Grace tried that too; wow, she was on a roll today!) , I thank the Lord that He has walked with me every step of the way today and will go before me tomorrow to prepare their hearts and mine for what He has in store for us! Thank you Jesus!