My M's

Fun fact: Micah and Mabry are both "M"s because even though they came from different countries and at different ages (birth and age 4) they both joined our family the same year, just 3 months apart. The Lord had promised me two babies the fall before and every time I call their names together, I'm reminded that God is faithful to fulfill His promises. 

In trying to take that last pic today, these two were cracking. themselves. up. The whole time. And the laughter pics are just as sweet as the final shot, so I have to share some of those too. ;)

Fishing hook: 1, Kates leg: 0

Someday we'll look back and laugh at that time I almost had a heart attack. Wait, there are a lot of those. 

I mean the time Kate found Jakes fishing lure.

Yesterday I heard screaming from my bedroom. The "I'm about to die" kind of screaming that throws every mom's adrenaline into overdrive. I came in to find Kate {literally} hooked to my bed. One end of a huge lure was in my bed and the other in Kate's leg. And upon surveying the situation through panick-struck-vision and seeing that the hook was fully through her leg but that the hook wasn't "set" (that term was for you Dad) I knew that it was up to me to pull it out. And quickly because she was still screaming and flailing and I knew there was a high possibility of it going in deeper- and then I wouldn't be able to get it out. Not to mention how painful that would be for poor Kate.

It also flashed through my mind that you aren't supposed to remove shrapnel from a car accident or explosion because once it pierces your body, it's holding in your organs, so it has to be removed by a medical professional. "Pull it together Amy, this isn't shrapnel, it's a fish hook. You can do this, just do it quickly. And don't let Kate see you panic." 

After that is sort of a blur that involved a phone call to my husband, the doctor, some info about her latest tetnis shot, some hydrogen peroxide and melaleuca. 

Look at that cute leg. This is why her nickname is Squishy.

Entry wound and exit wound. It went in at the top and was coming out the other side. So freaky.

Oh and a I had to have Ashley run to grab scissors so I could cut Kate's shirt off. It was in the hook good and I didn't want to risk stabbing her again or pulling it up over her head to get it off. And Kate wanted that thing as far away from her as possible- and fast.

Thankfully the lure had never been used (it was still in the box) and her shots were up to date and she's a super resilient kid. Within 30 minutes she was running around and fighting over which color Popsicle. Although I'm sure that leg is going to be sore for a little while and we're watching for signs of infection.

Someday it'll all be funny. Right now, I think I see another gray hair.

Heart and Home

I've been working on a blog post for a month now and trashed it 3 times.

Summer is *ahem* busy. Not like going places and doing things busy. Just juggling daily life busy. And in the busyness, my heart is stirring. Attacks on Israel. Revival in the church. Prayer for our nation. Burdens for our community. My heart is stirred. I've got an adventure itch and a heaven craving.

But meanwhile in mommyland....................

I wake up every day to kids banging on doors, yelling, crying, laughing or needing to pee. I jump up looking like I've got the virus from World War Z and try to focus my eyes while I pour 4 cereal bowls with one hand, drink coffee with the other and listen to Ashley and Emily simultaneously talking to me. And I must comprehend what they're saying because there will in fact be a quiz at the end. Or at least a, "so can I?" to which I'll need to have an answer.

Then I start the laundry, unload the dishwasher, clean up breakfast, wash 4 faces, break up any fights, and tell Micah for the 3rd time, "no more buddy, breakfast is over."

And like every other day except Sunday, I sweep 15 times, clean the counters 46 times, remind the kids to close the back door 87 times, pick up a toy and toss it into the playroom 329 times and tell some one to "get down" 751 times.

At naptime it just means more of the same thing except its a little quieter and fewer kids are walking behind me spreading around cracker crumbs, grass, and Legos.

Around 4 or 5 I get the "on my way" text from Jake. This is when I realize I haven't changed clothes or looked in a mirror all day, so I run upstairs to clean myself up with a praying-the-kids-don't-burn-the-house-down speed.

Once Jake gets home and we talk about his day (because mine are all the same) while I cook dinner.

Then we eat dinner... well, everyone else does. I hold Kate down in her chair with my right leg while cutting up someone else's food. If I stop to eat dinner myself, I might fall asleep.

After that I clean up dinner and do the dishes. 

By then it's the little kids' assembly-line-bath-time and then bedtime. Bedtime is sort of like the new Planet of the Apes movie when they're still in the big cage together and run in circles around that tree swinging their arms and making whooping noises. Only picture me and Jake in the midst of it, trying to catch/tackle one and wrestle them into pajamas.

Once the apes little ones, fall asleep the big girls want to negotiate bedtime, argue over my iPad, ask if they can have dessert, tell me why they need new clothes or want to switch bedrooms. Eventually they fall asleep. Still talking. And probably dream of more talking.

And then with what little energy I have left, I might take a shower. Or eat ice cream. Whichever seams more important.

And yet.

My heart is stirring.

Better yet, my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. Its not easy to keep up with whats happening in global news from deep in the trenches of motherhood.

As moms, we have to bounce back and forth from: crying out to the Fathers heart for eternal matters... to solving why one of the kids has reverted to pooping in her bathing suit at the pool. Just keeping it real, people.

Sometimes that back and forth is so intense it makes my head spin.

But I must. I don't have a choice. I have to hold perspective in both worlds. The middle east and mommyland. The White House and the Spencer House. World news and the school newsletter.

If you're reading this and your heart is heavy for a touch from God on our nation... or desperate for a move from Him in your life, house, community and church...

but your house is sprinkled with naked Barbies, plastic food and lego pieces, and your laundry is full of Buzz Lightyear underwear and disney princess nightgowns... If your car looks like this:

You're not alone. I know the juggle well.

But lets rise to the occasion. Lets never forsake pressing in to the Father for our burdens. Lets make sure that the exhaustion of motherhood doesn't cause us to fall into a spiritual slumber. 

Lets run the race, train our children, love our husbands and be strong women who are ready for anything.