The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

Back to School. We've all seen those commercials with the parents dancing down the aisles as they buy their kids school supplies. I've never really identified with that sentiment, to tell the truth. I happen to like my kids, and I like to be with them.

Sure, there are the obvious benefits -- a little more quiet time, not to mention the fact that my kids are going stir-crazy to get back. But on the other hand, I miss them. And there's that nerve-wracking first day, bringing your kids into that sea of hyper children, straining to hear their names called and putting them into the hands of a stranger.

All in all, I'm okay with it, though. I know that beyond all the worries and missing them, God has them well in hand. That's all I need to know.

Messy Hands

We have a three-times daily ritual in our house. It's called wiping the twins up after eating. First, you get a wet cloth. Then, while using one hand to fend off the other grabbing baby hand and a biting baby mouth, we wipe down the first hand. Next, while holding the clean hand in a firm grip, we hastily wipe down the high chair tray so the clean hand stays clean. Repeat with the other hand, then the face, where the biting hazard increases significantly. If necessary, we do the hair, ears, neck and upper arms, too, and sometimes the legs as well. More often than not, this is done while the baby is wailing and gnashing her teeth. Then we get to do it all with the other baby.

The point is, this whole exercise reminds me of what God has to go through with us. We get our hands messy -- sometimes more than our hands -- playing around at life. We throw stuff all over God's nice world, too. But instead of meekly letting Him clean up our mess, we fight, kick, grab, bite, and scream at him. Sometimes we try to grab the cloth and do it ourselves. But when it's all said and done, if we really want to get clean, we have to let Him wash us. The great thing about God is He will wait until we're ready for Him.

Summer days are here again!

Unlike some moms, I celebrate when I have my son home for the summer. Although I do get a little more in the "I'm bored" or "She's bugging me" department, I enjoy not having to bundle everyone into the car or stroller to rush Liam to school and back every day.

But it's more than just the practical aspects of summertime. I'm looking forward to enjoying time with my son -- playing with him, teaching him, getting to know him, investing in his life, filling him up with love. I can tell how much it means to him when I see his face light up.

Obviously it won't be entirely easy. I'm going to have to rearrange my routine to fit everyone. I'll have to take an extra body with me everywhere I go -- what's one more? I'm going to have to deal with a lot more playtime politics, too. But all in all, I wouldn't trade this precious time with my son for anything.

Should I stay or should I go?

A friend approached me recently, asking how I find stay-at-home mothering. The question got me thinking about that age old question of motherhood, or at least half-century old. It used to be that only a few moms had to go out and work, but most working moms did it because they wanted to.

In the last little while, I've noticed more of a trend in the opposite direction. A lot of moms look at me with my brood rather wistfully and say "I wish I could stay home, but I don't see how we can do it!"

Well, let me tell you, if we can do it, so can you. We have four kids under 6. My husband now makes a moderate income, but before this year it was pretty low. We've never had benefits up until this year, either. But we've owned a house for 6 years, and two cars. I make money from the government for raising responsible citizens (does that make me a civil servant?) And the plus is, I don't have to miss the first steps, first tooth, etc.

Does that mean it's been all coming up roses? Hardly. We've had to make some sacrifices. We don't live in a huge, new house. We don't drive cars with all the bells and whistles. I don't colour my hair (grey hair is a crown of glory, people!) We use Christmas money for new clothes or things for the house, or we make do with hand-me-downs. When Kevin has to work, he has to work. And so do I sometimes. There's a million things you can do from home to augment your income. And yes, you might have to -- gulp -- budget!

But really, when you add up the costs of both parents working, you're paying for childcare for however many kids, work clothes (which are more expensive than jeans and t-shirts!), maybe lunches out, and goodness knows feeding that gas-guzzler is a drain these days.

I'm not saying every mom should stay home. I'm just saying it's time we realized that the question of staying home or going to work is still a choice we can make. We moms shouldn't feel forced to leave our kids.

It Starts Here . . .

I remember once having a visit with a friend and her two-year-old who was very busy. He decided he was going to take a drink -- he must have been just learning how to use a cup -- but he chose to take one from my glass, and from each of the adults around the living room. His mom put up a protest, but without any follow-through, there was nothing stopping him.

I looked at my own son, still a tiny baby, and vowed he would never get away with that kind of bad manners. He grew up to be every bit as busy as that little boy, and training was a struggle every step of the way. But I've learned that manners start in the high chair.

My one-year-old daughter illustrated this point last night by grabbing my napkin. It seemed innocent enough -- even my husband protested when I took it back. But I pointed out that this is the battle ground when the war for good manners begins. If I don't teach my babies (who are still reasonably compliant) to respect the property of others, how will my toddlers (who are usually not so compliant) know?

Then the other baby, just this morning, spit out her yogurt. Again, cute, but not cool when she's older! We've been teaching our babies sign language so instead of putting up a fuss or spitting out their food, they can say "All done" in an appropriate way. Of course, that's not to say they always do it, and that's where correction comes in. I'm sure you have your methods. Turning the high chair around worked well for my older daughter.

It's never an easy road, but I'm determined that I'm going to raise kids who are respectful of others. There are far too many older kids and adults who were never taught these basic skills.

Boy, are your hands full!

I don't know how many times I've heard that -- especially in the last year -- from some amazed person in the grocery store. My usual reply is a smile and nod, or "Yes, yes they are!" or often "Happily so!" It's sort of an obvious remark to say to a mom who's cruising the store with four kids under 6. And yes, my hands are very full.

But as I think about that statement, it brings to mind another connotation. Like scooping up a double handful of water to drink, I want to be daily drinking deeply of the Living Water. I need the Holy Spirit to equip and empower me. I can't do this life WITHOUT my hands full!

So that's why I chose to rename my blog "Hands Full" -- not only does it describe me to a T, it's also a reminder to me, and to others, that we should always have our hands full of Living Water!