Do you call this vacation?

Back again.

Not that we really went anywhere.

To those who asked if I was sick, or if we were on vacation.

Nope.

I never felt better (except for fatigue) and I wouldn't call the last week "vacation".

I had no intention of taking a blogging break, but somehow the tyranny of the urgent swallowed me up. For most of the summer, with a desperate dog paddle, I kept head above water.

Until the past week. Somewhere between starting school, watching pears rot in their crate and tomatoes finally begin ripening, plus all the usual laundry, bickering children, and empty stomachs - there wasn't enough hours left in a day to give attention to the computer.

I knew if I sat down to type, all you would hear was a dull whine.

And no one wants to hear about my horrible housekeeping that allowed mice to move into my kitchen cupboards. I'm not sure what I hate worse then mice - maybe snakes? At least my son is thrilled with another money making opportunity as he gets 25 cents for every mice he catches.

It was the kind of week when the car needs new tires, each of the children's bikes takes turns breaking, and the bathtub leaks into the basement ceiling. Ed is about to hire a full time maintenace person around here. Except that we couldn't afford it.

And speaking of leaks...apparently I wasn't quite busy enough since I started (yet again!) to potty train the two year old. I'm trying to see small signs of progress,  meanwhile, the new floor is being thoroughly initiated to life in a house with small children and she has gained the nickname "Puddles".

We did go camping this weekend. But by the time we packed up half the house for a two night trip ten miles away, it was not feeling much like vacation! I thought surely I had overpacked and I'd bring half the clothes and food home. But no, the food found it's way into hungry bellies and every last item of clothing returned wet, sweaty, and otherwise grimy. Several pairs of pants took a trip directly to the trash can. How do boys destroy clothing that fast? But have so much fun doing it!



Tired of the whine yet? If I knew what was good for me, I'd delete this post. But for all of you misguided souls who think I am some sort of wonderful, here is proof that I'm not. Because I've only shared half of my bad attitude, my short temper with my children, my desire to never preserve another jar of anything in my life. Is mothering, gardening, and homeschooling worth it? This week I wasn't sure.

Praise the Lord, I don't need to be ruled by my emotions. Thank Him for sisters that help with canning. And for a husband that spends every night of the week fixing something and unpacks that mountain of dirty laundry. For the spirit of God that speaks through the preaching of the Word. (We were camping at a church campmeeting and were able to take in numerous services throughout the weekend.) For the fellowship of Godly friends who spur me on to work with joy.


I do love my family and the children God has given. I do gladly give my hours to cooking, teaching, laundry, and mopping up puddles. I look at my seven year old and know that time is fleeting. Some day (so I am told) I'll look back on this week with sweet nostalgia.

But for now, I'll just go set another mouse trap.