Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson

We are smack in the middle of our first week as a family of seven...it's honestly going better than I thought.  Granted, I was keeping my expectations pretty low because throwing teens, elementary children and grownups who have lived alone and gotten set in our ways just felt like a recipe for disaster surprises.  Because of scheduling prep work and God's timing, we sort of eased our way into the full-on family fun.  We had Mr. Wonderful's daughters, then just my children, and finally this past Sunday all seven of us together. 

For the most part, it has been fun. We had a dead fish and two wet beds on our first night under one roof (Baby boy drank too much before bedtime and Sonny the wild Shih Tzu was feeling nervous, or marking territory, or something!).   My three are convinced Mr. Wonderful doesn't have a job, since he works from a home office.  They have all kinds of questions like, "Who is his boss?" and "How does he get a paycheck?"  Our fabulous babysitter has continued at our new home, even though the drive is longer...we are so grateful for her.  I know it has been an adjustment for him to work with young children in the home.  It's louder, there is more activity, more noise.  He sends me comments throughout the day by phone or text about the happenings. 

Dinnertime is fun, but cooking for seven unique people is a challenge.  I'm used to simple (elementary kid-style) meals and need ideas.  Plus the kitchen is bursting at the seams with lots of duplicate items.  We have little counter space and boxes everywhere.  The logistics of moving into a home which is already full have been overwhelming.  I'm craving clear counters and white space!

We marvel at the number of dishes and loads of laundry.  We are incredulous at thinking about the emotions of so many people...did she go to her room because she annoyed?  mad?  normal teenager?  Is he irritated at the activity?  Do they feel replaced?  Is he feeling at home?  Are we demanding too much, too soon, too many changes?  We have a lot of precious hearts to consider. 

And I don't want my groom to feel neglected!  So, I'm trying spend some time with him before tackling that laundry.  He's been a dream and so helpful.  He's more emotionally intelligent, kind and gentle even in discipline that any man I've known.  I picked well!

Oh, and yes, I am Mrs. Robinson now!  I'll talk about the whole name change situation soon - has anyone else done that?  Send me any great recipe ideas that are family friendly and simple.  I need kitchen help!  Does anyone want to see more wedding pics?

We Did it!

What a Privilege!

I am so ready to marry Mr. Wonderful this Saturday - what a privilege it is to be his wife.  I'm giddy with excitement at the friends and family who will all be gathered to celebrate with us.  Seeing all the details that I've planned come together will be rewarding.  The romantic in me is having a blast.  But honestly, I can't wait till Sunday.  I so look forward to waking up with my man and all the activity and people being a sweet memory.  I do love a grand event, but I'm so happy to get to do normal life together. 

Something else struck me this week...I know as sure as the sky is blue that I don't deserve Mr. Wonderful and was surprised to hear him say those words to me.  I understood then how sweetly the Lord has put us together.  In the best way, we both feel we are the Lucky One and look forward to  proving it to each other for the rest of our days.  It was very affirming that as much as I love and even need him, he really does need me, too. 

I trust him in a way I haven't trusted before.  I do not feel defensive or inferior, I know Mr. Wonderful is looking out for my best.  I'm so confident in his decisions, his understanding and his leadership.  Mmmm, after the wedding, do I become Mrs. Wonderful?  I hope he sees it that way!

Signing off for now, thank you for all the well-wishes!

On Saying Yes and No

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As the only responsible grown-up in our home, it has been evident on many occasions that I am limited.  My resources are limited.  My time, attention, finances, stamina, even mental energy are not inexhaustible.  Sadly, I do not have super-hero powers.  For a long time, I tried to hide my limitations.  I said, "Yes," to things that I really didn't want to do or couldn't afford just to please others.  I agreed to things in order to avoid confrontation.  I overextended myself to look good in the eyes of others. 

By doing all these things, I was crushing the spirit of who I really am.  I used my resources on things that weren't really that important to me.  As life became more complicated and the people who depend on me more numerous (ahem, three babies in less than four years!), I had a hands-on course in shedding that which isn't essential and in prioritizing.   I love the freedom that acknowledging my limitations has brought me!

Every time I say yes to something, I am saying no to something else.  If I say, "Yes, we'll go out to eat tonight."  I know that means I'm stretching our pantry supply for an extra couple of days.  When I say yes to ice cream at 11 pm, I recognize that I'm saying no to feeling sleek and svelte in the morning.  Okay, so I never really feel sleek and svelte, but you get the idea. 

I've been amazed at how universal this principle is.  Every choice has positive and negative ramifications.  Every choice.  How serious is that!  Now, not every choice has consequences that truly matter, but many do.  When I say yes, to that splurge on new shoes, I have to remember I'm saying no to something else. 

I was discussing this concept with Mr. Wonderful recently and I emphatically said, "Yes!" to him.  He laughed and asked what I was saying no to with that?  "To everyone else," was my reply.  It was a lighthearted and quick response, but it was true.  When we say yes, even to the joyous things, we must also so say no.  We limit ourselves in order to experience deeper relationships, security, history - there are so many rewards to limitations!

When I bought my house, I said no to every other house on the market.  When I cut my hair for a trendy new style, I said no to pony tails.  When I make healthy choices, I'm saying no to indulgences like brownies and vanilla Coke.  It's easier to limit myself in some areas than others. 

I'm surprised at how considering this concept has helped give my life direction and to clarify my priorities.  When considering a purchase, a schedule commitment or even a menu item, I am learning to distinguish how my yes will also be a no.  I'm even trying to communicate this to my children...and they get it on their levels.

Do you recognize the intrinsic limitations of your human self?  Do you try to do it all?  How are communicating your priorities and values to those around you and refining them for yourself?  Is it hard for you to come to a point where you stop looking at your options?

Others are talking about this, too!

Choosing the Best Without Having it All

When You Say I Do, You Also Say I Don't

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Five Years

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Five years ago I was experiencing my first summer as a single mother.  I was so unsure of what the future held.  I was insecure emotionally and financially.  I remember struggling to accept the reality of my life, longing so much for it to return to the (false) reality I thought it was before.  I had trouble sleeping, eating and often paced or had to step outside for deep breaths to alleviate the anxiety I felt.  I distinctly remember feeling like I was drowning.

Five years ago, I had an infant, a two year old and a six year old.  We somehow managed to have a fun summer with lots of trips to the mountains, many evenings with grandparents and a hodge-podge of volunteer babysitters as I began working full-time.  It was a summer of so many changes and transitions.  Really, it was a season where my life turned onto a path different from the one I had mapped for myself and strategically planned. 

I could have never guessed that the road would lead met to THIS summer.

Five years ago I could not have guessed or imagined the kind of love I experience now.  I hadn't felt the acceptance and friendship.  I didn't know how deeply my family loved and supported me.  I was afraid that God would write me off as unworthy.  At the time, I didn't even know some of the people who are now the most important to me.

I have met and will marry my best friend.  I feel so connected to Mr. Wonderful that I feel like we have known each other for decades.  I have been so pleasantly surprised to realize my heart is capable of hope, trust and love.  I discovered I am able to embrace the children of another person with similar feelings of responsibility and investment as my own biological ones inspire.

Five years later I am settled into my role as a single mother and (mostly) confident about the responsibility that role brings.  My parents have relocated and I no longer attend the dear church where so many helped me in the early days.  We have registered to attend a new-to-us school this fall and will live in a home in which we have been guests.

I am a very different person today than the one I was five years ago.  I am less rigid and more fluid.  I think there is less tendency to control and more ability to let those closest to me discover themselves.  I am more realistic, tend to be a bit cynical and yet I'm capable of hoping.  I no longer feel the need to know every answer before taking a risk...in fact, I'm much more willing to take risks and try things!  I'm not afraid if things don't turn out perfectly.

Please know that if your summer is a difficult one, you have no idea how things will be five years from now.  You will be stronger, more experienced, more sure of yourself and your strengths.  Set some goals and hold them loosely.  But keep striving and moving forward.  Life, even with the many challenges, is so sweet!

One Month

I was going to say, "One month till my life changes..." but the truth is I am already changed.  I am a single mother about to become a wife and bonus mom.  Sometimes I'm nervous about how it is going to go!  Yes, the wedding has a lot of details and moving always create major anxiety for me.  But I anticipate much adjustment and great challenges over the next couple of years.  Still, I can't wait!

Moody Monday

I had a lovely weekend, just lovely!  I missed my father terribly and wished I could have spent time with him.  I hope he knows just how much I admire and love him.  It's been a rough season for him the past couple of years and I think he forgets what a great Dad, Papa, person he is!  I was thinking about how the things our parents say create the internal 'soundtrack' that we play to ourselves throughout our lives.  My father never let me forget how great he thought I was, how smart, how pretty and special I was to him.  I notice Mr. Wonderful speaks the same way to his girls (even thought they sometimes blow it off) it's one of the reasons I love him. 

 

Speaking of Mr. Wonderful, he purchased a new suit for our big day ... my he looked handsome!  I've never seen him in a suit before.  Our culture just doesn't provide that many reasons to get dressed up.  Life it very informal.  I like it kind of fancy sometimes!

I'm getting very excited for our wedding day!  It's going to be so fun to have all our family and friends in the same place.  The bridesmaids (my sister and future step daughters) are all fitted and the dresses under alteration.  The wedding plan is coming together and Mr. Wonderful is giddy about the roles he gets to play.  The end feels in sight...I'm trying not to wish away these final weeks as a single mother to my three.  We've enjoyed carefree summer fun and too many late nights.  They seem happy and secure, looking forward to our future as a larger family. 

It's a good season of life.  I'm grateful, for a sense there will be many challenges ahead! 

There are three stages in the work of God: impossible, difficult,done  - Hudson Taylor