I only hit the snooze button one time this morning. ONCE. I was up at 6:35 and made my way, bleary eyed to the coffee pot (which is kind of funny, since I drink decaf) and plopped myself down at the kitchen table for my AM ‘quiet time’. Right now I’m going through Henry Blackaby’s ‘Experiencing God’ for the second time, I love this study. By 7:20 it was time to rally the troops (actually they should have been rallied at 7:15, but in true Stefanie-style, I leave all things until the last minute ;)) Jude, who normally wakes around 8:00, cries out, obviously not waking up on the happy side of the bed. I have to let him fuss for a minute so I can get the boys going: “Asher, time to get up, baby! Dalton, do you want me to pick out your shirt?” I help the boys pick out their clothes and rush back to the kitchen to push the Toaster Strudels down once more in the toaster. Yes. A hot, steamy, homemade breakfast at our house, daily no less! I go into get Jude who, as soon as he sees me, breaks into a big grin. I snuggle with him for a minute or so, but have to get back to getting the boys off to school. Soon the boys wander out, still pulling their shirts over their heads, forgetting socks and one belt. So I rush to gather those things before hurrying back to finish their breakfast with an original frosting design by yours truly, topping each of their strudels. Asher eats, Dalton watches Clifford the Big Red Dog alongside a barely- not crying Jude as he holds his beloved pillow in one hand and his equally beloved juice cup in the other. I have to make lunches for both boys and go through their bookbags and the bus comes in 10 minutes, argh! Why do I DO this daily!? I was getting up at 6:00 before Christmas break but can’t seem to back to going to bed before 11:00. Note to self: GET UP EARLIER! I press on, making sure that Dalton’s PB&J is super thin, cut into triangles. Since it’s close to commissary day, our pantry is lookin’ pretty empty and have to ask what the boys will take in their lunches. Lunch boxes? Where are they? Asher has trouble with his belt so I stop to turn it around and put the boys’ socks on. As I rifle through the boys’ backpacks to find their lunch boxes and sign their agendas, I read that Dalton had is ‘clip pulled’ yesterday. A HUGE no-no in our house. While it takes 3 clip pulls to really get in trouble, our kids know they should not misbehave in school. I know Dalton’s teacher and she is an angel, I am certain his clip would only have been pulled with good reason. I have no time to talk to him about it other than reminding him that choosing not to tell us about it yesterday was deceptive. I also inform him that his father will talk to him about it when he gets home today (I am so glad that I can put this yucky stuff off on daddy!) Then it’s hugs and kisses and “I love you”s all around, hats, jackets and backpacks firmly attached, they are out the door, running for the bus stop like they are racing ~ actually, I really think they are racing. Now onto Isabelle, she’s already up (I know this by her calling incessantly “Mammaaaaa! Mammmaaaaa!!” until I open her door, telling her it’s time to get up. Most days I am greeted with her big smile peeking out from underneath a mop of crazy black hair. I take off her diaper and she, as usual, asks me, “poo poo?” to which I reply, “no, just pee pee” and she seems satisfied. She’s really obsessed with Jude’s poopy diapers right now, and I think she just wants to be sure she’s NOT pooping in her diaper while she sleeps, like her stinky little brother 😉 She doesn’t have to go to the bathroom so we go to get dressed… what will it be today? I get a bit crazy, pick out some dark red corduroys that she has not yet worn this winter. They fit, and look cute, so I find a shirt to match. We move on to the hair station. No clips that match. I forage. Nothing. I get desperate, I pick something that’s close. Yuck. What time is it? I have a minute. I’ll change her. We go back into her room, starting from scratch. This time she looks adorable, I start to put her hair up and hear the bus coming. 5 minutes early. Greaaaattt. What is the deal this morning?!? I’m rushing, trying to get her hair up (she can not go without her hair up, it’s a complete nuisance to her) and grabbing the clip as I run to the front door. Jacket: on. School bag: on. We run hand in hand to the bus and I lift her up, setting her up at the top of the stairs with the bus monitor. I tell her I love her, pull her leggings down over her ankles and pat her on the tooshie. I turn to run inside, it’s cold out here. I hear, “Mammaaaa!” Highly unusual, Isabelle’s never called to me from the bus. I turn to see her still standing where I left her. What’s wrong? She threw up on the bus last week, I worry about a million things as I run back to her. When I get close enough, I see her standing there, perfectly perfect. Her lips are pursed. She wants a kiss from her mamma. Oh. Dear. Lord. Thank You for this child. And for the reminder that in all the craziness of raising these children, that You are blessing me.
whew! I am exhausted. LOL Loved the account of your morning and of course your conclusion. Aint life grand? 🙂
A hectic, yet truly heartwarming account of your blessed morning!! Love it! 🙂
You always put a smile on my face!
Way to go Stefanie!
You made me cry at work…
I need to buy more tissues. 🙂
Loved, loved, loved this post, by the way!
Karrie in Indiana
🙂 Sounds like a replay of some of our mornings. Glad to know I’m not the only last-minute mom in this world.
The pics of the kids are simply adorable!
Sharon
Your post made me laugh (because my mornings are oh-so-similar!!) And of course I was teary by the end reading about Isabelle wanting a kiss from mama. Who could ask for anything more? “Blessings” was the perfect title for this story.
Hugs to you all,
Rebecca
PS. I am impressed by your early rising this AM. I hit the snooze button twice. 🙂
Stefanie! I just love your posts…I’m only dealing with my one heart girl from China, Kaylin, and one teenage daughter right now (oldest 2 boys in college) and honestly, don’t know how you do it. Love the new look on your blog too. I check in here a couple of times a week but haven’t said howdy yet…so finally HOWDY!! ~Anita
I’ve often wondered about ‘a day in the life’ of your family! And bravo to you for your AM quiet time — it’s one thing I’ve not been able to do consistently since becoming a parent.
Whew…..you wore me out. I love reading your blogs. Your babies are precious! I cant wait to follow your journey for your baby boy!
Green Party of Four
Whew….you wore me out too! What a great ending to such a hectic beginning though! This so makes me smile!!!
Sounds like a perfectly, wonderful, normal morning! And it sounds like you enjoy every minute of it! You are so blessed!
This made me laugh! Brings back memories of elementary school for our older kids. Won’t be long and I will be there yet again! Now, I struggle out of bed at 7:30 to tell them goodbye. 🙂 You have such a fun sense of humor that you seem to take it all in stride! You truly are BLESSED!
Wow, what a rush in the mornings!
I’m surprised you don’t have the clothes and lunches done the night before though! It sure makes it easier in our house and we only have one sleepy head to get up!
I bet summers are more fun-sleeping in!
Such a funny, sweet post! Your kids are just precious.
I feel like that is my normal morning with TWO children – how do you do it???? Such a blessing those beautiful babes of yours – just love the little peek you gave us of your day. Thank you – I think this is one of my favorite posts, it’s in the day to day we see all the true miracles.
Heather
This is just what I needed to read tonight!!! We’re going home tomorrow Stef….HOME!! You are so blessed….amazing how He reminds us in His own way!
With love,
Anna
I am amazed and humbled that you are able to be such an awesome mom with so many little ones. I loved this post! Isn’t it neat the way God gives us these special little moments like the kiss in the midst of life’s craziness. He knows exactly what we need. Thanks for sharing this!
Oh, this is my favorite! I love it, love it, love it. And I am sure as shootin’ that God has to be looking down on you and smiling at His daughter taking such good care of His flock! This makes me smile from ear to ear. Thanks for sharing, Stefanie! Large families are so much FUN, aren’t they? 😉
There is only one thing I would recommend you do differently…CAFFEINE, HONEY! Don’t you know it’s got to be CAFFEINE? 🙂
Laine
I am tired just from reading this, although it sounds sort of like mornings around here. Maggie will just add to the fun!
This was one of my favorite posts. I am going to miss my little ones when they are older…this reminded me of how precious these years are….
Wow! I find it impossible to get the four of us out of the house on time I don’t know how you do it with your brood! Great post!
You did it to me again. I’m practically sobbing.
God how I can’t wait to know what that really feels like, but I get so close to it, watching you.
What an amazing family you have Stef.
Hi there, I just popped over from Rumor Queen. Just reading about your morning routine is getting me tired!!! You SO have your hands full, but in a really wonderful way. You are very blessed with your beautiful children.
My hubby and I are waiting for our first child from China. I can’t wait to have my own “momma” mornings…but on a MUCH smaller scale!
Donna 🙂
Congratulations on your pending adoption!
When you are ready to obtain your son’s “finding ad” (which has a photo of him months younger than his referral photo!), come visit us at http://www.research-china.org. We also have tons of DVDs and photos!
All the best!
Brian
Stefanie,
I LOVE your writing! You have such a gift in expressing the beauty and magic in everyday moments! Thanks for sharing!
Love,
Kim