Coffee – Consider the Birds…

Groundhog Day

October 8, 2015 Consider the Birds

The alarm goes off. I hit snooze. I get up. I wake the kids. I fight with the kids. I make breakfast. I fight with the kids. The kids fight with the kids. I drive them to school. I fight with the kids. I come home, do various tasks and work. I pick kids up from school. Clint and I fight with the kids. Homework gets done. Fighting. Pack lunches. Arguing. Dinner. Kids fighting. Bedtime. And repeat.

For the foreseeable future; repeat!

This is life lately. That, up there, on repeat. Especially, the fighting. So much arguing, debate, and controversy about EVERYTHING. I guess I should thank my lucky stars for the break that comes with school everyday, but it doesn’t seem like enough. It just is NOT enough! I actually overheard a meaningless debate turn into WWIII about an episode of Cake Boss. Yes, you read that right…Cake Boss.

I know, I know, how do I dare share with you that my precious family isn’t the perfect example of sibling togetherness?! I write an encouraging blog. This just seems wrong. What am I thinking, letting you in to see that behind the pretty little white porch is an actual war zone? That includes a boy who hasn’t said a nice word to his sisters in weeks, and girls who share a room, but can’t speak to each other without tears and a good amount of yelling. And, of course the hidden minefield. My house is so full of teenage angst and hormonal outbursts that make no sense, anyone who comes in close contact leaves confused and with a mild case of PTSD. But, I did! I let you in. Now you can see this day. This groundhog day. This monotony that never ends and just keeps showing up the minute the alarm goes off.

Every. Single. Day.

Now what? Am I going to share a cute anecdote that makes it all better? Am I going to tell you that I found the secret to teenage togetherness and homework harmony?

Nope. Just Nope.

I am going to say that my heart knows it’s just a season. That being a teen is hard especially with annoying sisters. I feel pretty confident that they will eventually tolerate each other? I mean this week, they did sit in the same room without complaining about how loud the other chews breakfast. Thats progress, right?! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m just crossing my fingers that it doesn’t mean they finally succeeded in their master plan; to slowly kill me…I am hoping that you’ll read this and be encouraged that you are not alone. Or, that you don’t have it so bad after all. Maybe, I’ll give you a good laugh. Or, maybe you read this and think I’m being a whiny baby. That you have it much worse than I could ever imagine…you probably do! But, now I’ve validated your position and you’re slightly encouraged; BOOM! Drop the mic! I found a way to encourage you by using discouragement! My blog is a success!

I will choose happy this week by thanking God for the ~~strength~~ SANITY that comes from strong coffee, a little sleep, and the moments that happen just before bed (that’s when all three of them are snuggled in their beds looking like angels sleeping). Wait a minute, two of the three talk in their sleep…

Two Things

September 4, 2015 Consider the Birds

Sharing this little post again, because…well, it’s my blog and I can if I want to 😂 Plus, with it being the last Friday of summer vacation I think we’ve all been here a few times and could use a friendly little reminder about the joy of coffee!

I woke up this morning and the first thing that entered my congested, hurting head was “great, I’m getting sick!” So, I laid in bed a little longer, made myself get up, and stumbled downstairs.

Ignoring the girls, who were in their bedroom on the iPad. Which is quite a thing; I usually don’t show such restraint, and how in the world can the Shaytards be that entertaining?

I did not check on the boys, who were in the basement. Also a thing, because I am sure they stayed up all night playing video games, and needed food and water, and someone to make sure their eyes had not in fact burned up in the sockets.

I finally made my way to the kitchen.

It seemed like it took forever! Like every step was a mile and every noise I heard made my head explode. But, I had survived the journey and my reward was the sweet smell of those delightfully roasted beans as hot water poured over them.

I stood there taking in the beautiful smell, and thought to myself how can I be getting sick the day before we leave for vacation?

Of course, my thoughts were disturbed by yet another fight about whether one girl spitting at the other was on purpose or by accident (you read that right; ANOTHER fight about spit), only to be reminded that I really didn’t feel well or have the patience for THIS day…AGAIN.

I poured that sweet smelling goodness into my mug and inhaled.

Let it cool for a second and took a sip.

Then, I took another and looked out the window. It was in fact a really beautiful morning.

How had I missed this?

I took a few more sips and smiled. I thought of how nice it was that the girls had each other; even though they have been fighting like stray dogs in an alley. I was also grateful for the boys, and the fact they have been friend for the last 5 years.

As I stood on the porch, the noise of the continuous arguing faded, and the world felt like it was at peace around me.

Birds chirping in the background, sunlight beaming through the windows, and a cool breeze hitting my face, I realized my headache had also faded into the background. I could also breathe a little better. My congestion had melted away as I stood here sipping this dark wonderfulness (it’s a word; trust me).

Coffee had healed me. This dark nectar of God had stepped in and transformed me into a person. It had grabbed me by the shoulders, looked straight into my eyes and told me I was fine. I was going to make it through the day.

I. Could. Do. This.

I was doing this…and I was happy doing it! I felt like a new person. Awake and ready to tackle another day!

I am going to choose happy this week (and probably for the rest of the summer at the very least) because I have coffee…and Jesus…and Jesus made coffee. I am starting to realize these two things are the only way I am going to make through summer.

I mean, through parenting.

Okay, life. I meant to say; the only way I am going to make it through life!

Two Things

June 26, 2015 Consider the Birds

I woke up this morning and the first thing that entered my congested, hurting head was “great, I’m getting sick!” So, I laid in bed a little longer, made myself get up, and stumbled downstairs. Ignoring the girls, who were in their bedroom on the iPad. Which is quite a thing; I usually don’t show such restraint, and how in the world can the Shaytards be that entertaining? I did not check on the boys, who were in the basement. Also a thing, because I am sure they stayed up all night playing video games, and needed food and water, and someone to make sure their eyes had not in fact burned up in the sockets. I finally made my way to the kitchen.

I stood there taking in the beautiful smell, and thought to myself how can I be getting sick the day before we leave for vacation? Of course, my thoughts were disturbed by yet another fight about whether one girl spitting at the other was on purpose or by accident (you read that right; ANOTHER fight about spit), only to be reminded that I really didn’t feel well or have the patience for THIS day…AGAIN.

I poured that sweet smelling goodness into my mug and inhaled.

Let it cool for a second and took a sip.

Then, I took another and looked out the window. It was in fact a really beautiful morning.

How had I missed this?

As I stood on the porch, the noise of the continuous arguing faded, and the world felt like it was at peace around me. Birds chirping in the background, sunlight beaming through the windows, and a cool breeze hitting my face, I realized my headache had also faded into the background. I could also breathe a little better. My congestion had melted away as I stood here sipping this dark wonderfulness (it’s a word; trust me).

I. Could. Do. This.

I was doing this…and I was happy doing it! I felt like a new person. Awake and ready to tackle another day!

I mean, through parenting.

Okay, life. I meant to say; the only way I am going to make it through life!