Mommy of 6

7:30 PM

It's bedtime. Finally.

14 hours earlier...

My day starts with Little Man waking up around 5:45, ready to begin his day of mischief. Both fans still on, daddy still in bed, we tiptoe downstairs to start the coffee and relish in the quiet of the morning. We promised the other five a big breakfast. Six, including Bradley. But they aren't awake yet, which means I have a few minutes to myself. If anyone knows how to enjoy the quiet of the morning, it's a mother - especially this newly-made mother of six. So I sit quietly, sip my coffee and read the 4th Harry Potter, loving the quiet of Liam as he explores the living room and stuffs anything and everything worth exploring into his mouth.

As the morning grows brighter, I begin to hear the sound of life upstairs. Thumping feet, the flushing of the toilet, the squealing of brothers annoying one another. Ahhh... Here we go again. :) This is the beginning of my last four days of playing mama to five rambunctious, highly energized children - ages 9 to 1 1/2.

10:00 AM
Half a box of pancake mix, one sausage roll, a pack of bacon and a dozen eggs later, breakfast is over. I'm trying to encourage the oldest four to quickly clean the kitchen TOGETHER. Who knew you could have so many wars before 10 AM? Bradley and I sit in the living room while I read and he plays guitar. We spend the next several hours referee-ing games, movies, arguments - you name it. Bradley graciously lets me take a nap as I've been a bit more tired than normal lately (don't worry...not pregnant).

2:00 PM
We've skyped with mommy and daddy in Africa, seen pictures and finished some PB & J's. Quiet time upstairs. At least...almost quiet time. Still a few too many thumps and screams.

5:00 PM
Dinnertime? Ravioli! Frozen ravioli...well, almost frozen...well...cold. Cold? After some investigating, I discover why the ravioli - and the ENTIRE outside deep freezer - is completely defrosted. Why? Someone unplugged it. :( So I make the ravioli, along with both casseroles, an entire bag of chicken, and a meatloaf. Better safe than sorry, right?

7:30 PM
Bedtime. Liam is bathed. Luke is exhausted. Caleb is on his bed, and has been for the last 30 minutes since he can't seem to obey this evening. John, Becca and Hannah get their pjs, brush their teeth and get to bed. And it's quiet! Finally. Bradley starts some work on the computer, I sit down to read, enjoying once again the silence of the evening.

"Miss Jessie?"
Sigh.
"Yes Becca?"
"Hannah whipped me with a belt."
Sigh. "OK."

9:45.
Hannah is walking back upstairs to bed, her chores for the evening finished. And now that it's bedtime - not only for the kids, but also for me - the house is quiet. :) I make them some special pudding pops, pop them in the freezer, finish some laundry, take a shower and finally lay my head on my pillow at 11:00 PM, knowing I'll be lifting it back up at 4:30 in the morning to go to work at the hospital.

Who says being a stay-at-home-mom isn't a full time job? :) But what a rewarding full time job it is!!

Truth

What does it mean to take all your thoughts captive? And how is this possible?

I'm plagued by the constant lies of worthlessness. That I am not what my husband wants. I am not what is best for my child. I can't keep my house clean, or my pantry full. I lack the knowledge to be a good nurse. I am not patient. I am not kind. I am not loving. I forget to encourage people, to uplift them. I forget to listen. I am not good enough. I am not good enough.

I am not good enough.

Thankfully, God does not judge me on the fact that I am not good enough. Because Christ is. And in that fact, I take those other thoughts captive and speak the truth.

The truth? I am a child of God and I am loved by Him.