I preface this post by saying I love my life (I hardly need any more excitement, chaos follows me) and would not change anything about it (except losing some weight, getting more sleep, and having a home that is never dirty) but some days are just like the movie "Groundhog day".
It's those days that start when I walk into the laundry room and think "Seriously? Again." Photographing my groundhog day or rather my everyday.
1. I wake up to find one or two baby boys who had at some point in the night found their way into our bed. I have no idea what time the migration happens, they are just suddenly there with elbows and snuggles. We are staying strong with Loaf. She loves her own bed.
2. Start the laundry. It's overflowing because I didn't wash over the weekend and it's past time for the children to empty their baskets. I begin to wonder why we have closets and drawers.
3. Dishes and kitchen are next. Most of my day is currently spent in the kitchen. I live with bottomless pits of eternal hunger. Love seeing the chopsticks with the silverware. Beef and broccoli last night.
4. There is always a bit of trains in the mornings. We are still in our pajamas while the cleaning is happening, although Brick is currently on his 3rd shirt. He doesn't like to be dirty and a little bit of spilled water is considered dirty. I'm to the point where I recycle the "water shirts" back into his drawer for another go around.
5. Phone calls and emails. There is always a bit of scheduling that needs to happen each day. My phone needs to be dusted.
6. Bedrooms are clean (well, at least mine is). Lunch is over, clean clothing for everyone, and a little bit of quiet time has started. Nap time is non-existent for the boys. Loaf comes and goes to her own schedule. She does love being with her brothers.
7. As often as I can I try and sneak a few moments in here. I love having it close. Whether it's squaring up a block or two or mending some pants. This room is a favorite, perhaps I shouldn't have included it in the groundhog post.
8. There is only one photo for the rest of the day. Life just gets to chaotic with homework, activities, dinner, etc. I find that as I write this, I'm so thankful for groundhog type days. Days filled with beauty, love, joy, laughter, tears, and health. Life is fragile and I'm thankful for every day with all it's messes.
Our family home evening tonight was one of those times. The babies were bouncing off the furniture (literally), Rock was in a belligerent mood (we had a rough patch today), Tank was making paper airplanes (at least he was quiet), Loafie was having a melt down because she was tired, there was some sort of foot issue with the girls and in the chaos of it all John is teaching so eloquently about the creation. This world was created from chaos. Christ gathered the chaos and formed a world filled with splendor and beauty. The lesson was for me.
I don't know if you'll find comfort in this or not, but my life is the same, just minus five kids! I keep a little framed word above my washing machine. It says "ENJOY". I like having it there to remind me that even though many days another load of laundry seems so mundane, I am doing it for the people I love and I need to learn to enjoy it. Some day all these little ones and there massive quantities of laundry will be gone. And I will miss them. Until then, though, I am going to refer back to the picture of your creative space often - it looks like Heaven on earth to me and I want to be there with you!
Posted by: Samantha Lee | January 25, 2011 at 06:35 AM
Beautifully written!
Posted by: mindy | January 25, 2011 at 07:49 AM
My laundry shall be up to my eyeballs, I have to stay off my feet for a couple of days... so it is building since early last week!
Posted by: Heather | January 25, 2011 at 08:57 AM
Love seeing you, upside down in a spoon, in pink, with a camera in front of your face! Yeah, groundhog day around here, too!!!! :)
Posted by: Sherry | January 25, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Oh--and our family night was extremely similar (minus the sheer number of kidlets). The boy was jumping up and down on the couch, the girls couldn't stop touching each other and laughing, while the dad was teaching about the nature of our Father in Heaven, and how one of his qualities is that He is endlessly patient with his children. The belligerent one? Me, this time. Wishing I was more like Heavenly Father...
Posted by: Sherry | January 25, 2011 at 10:18 AM
As another mother of 9 kids, I can totally related to the Groundhog Day theory (and the losing weight thing)
Call me anytime you feel like complaining and I will do it with you.
With Gratitude to The Groundhog,xox Laura
Posted by: Laura Solomon | January 26, 2011 at 05:59 PM