Confessions of a Crazy Busy Mom

Hello! I am not sure where to start, but my heart has really been praying about my blog lately and my thoughts and feelings on trying to revive it. I decided, its going to happen, and I am going to go back to where my heart was with this years ago...on praying for my (our) children. I see this school year opening and my heart wants to just pray pray pray for my children as they enter the world. A new school year started today and I have the privilege of working at the same school where my oldest daughter Arcadia attends. Our relationship has grown tremendously since she and I have been together. I get to see first hand the struggles of a high school student. What an incredibly scary place to be, but then again, each age presents its own scary situations. If you know me, you know that I have 4 children. Arcadia is 16 and a junior in high school, Eireland is in 8th grade, Tristan is in 5th grade and Phoenix is in 2nd grade. I am trying to raise world changers and what better place...

I do not like change. Simple as that. I do not like change that is for the better, I do not like change that is for the worse. I just do not like change.  It literally hurts my heart. The reason my favorite book is Little Women is because I can identify with Jo and her desire to have everything stay the same. EVERYTHING. I wrestle with changes in my life much like in the life of Jo. Unfortunately for me life doesn't stand still and changes occur on the daily. Recently my sister challenged me to a Bible verse challenge on Facebook. She has the best intentions and when she asked me why I hadn't posted any Bible verses my answer was appalling and party true. My answer, "I don't like the Bible." Hear me out before you close this blog and judge me relentlessly. I said it was only partly true. The truth is this. I feel lost, mostly because I am experiencing a lot of change in my life, things I have no control over. Arcadia's best friend moved away, we chose a...

I haven't posted on my blog in more than a year. I wanted to, I thought about it, I even wrote posts to be shared and then I didn't. My heart is here, my desire is here, but my confidence is not.  I wanted my blog to be about parenting, about loving your children and about encouraging one another and in the past year I have felt like more of a failure in all of these areas. I have struggled as a mother, I have struggled as a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, you name it, I have felt as though I have struggled, and if not struggled, then failed all together. I could not share my heart if I did not have my act together right?  Then it happened.  I was scrolling on Facebook and it hit me like a ton of bricks and each word (well, almost each word as we have different names) rang so very true. I thank the Lord for my youngest sister, I actually thank him for each of my precious sisters as they all add something to my life, but in this case it is my 19 year old s...

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I wish anxiety and OCD were as cut and dry as something like asthma. What causes it? What sets it off? What do you do to make it better? Simple right?  For anxiety and OCD it's SO different, and when it happens to a child, again, it's so so different. I can't answer the question, "Well, what does he need to be successful in the classroom?" My answer today might not be my answer tomorrow or a week from now. "Phoenix needs to stand up while he works, he needs to be able to move around. He needs to be able to do this would the teacher thinking he isn't doing his work or is a distraction." But next week it might be, "He needs to wash his hands 13 times without the teacher thinking that he's 'playing' in the bathroom." It's not the same all the time.  I am so thankful that this year Phoenix has had a teacher that has accommodated him and adjusted things and has been aware of his 'issues'. She knows exactly the right place...

Never mind that I haven't blogged since Arcadia's 13th birthday, which was in May. Never mind that I have been so neglectful of this blog, I think that the name says it all. I am too dang busy! Recently we have been going over a series of sermons on church that really have God working on my heart. Not just working, but working OVERTIME and then some. What last nights sermon boiled down to is love, and loving other. Don't get me wrong, I love others, I do. But I tend to love them on MY terms, and MY terms only. Our pastor asked us when the last time we did something for another person in love, and I thought smugly to myself, I do, all the time. Then he asked, when was the last time we went above and beyond? Loving someone extravagantly. I had to be honest with myself, and the answer was I didn't know when. Let me set the stage, I went into church with an unsettled heart, and so during our beautiful worship set, I prayed. Because I was coming into the service with a...

Arcadia turned 13....Thirteen, say that with me TEEN. I have a teenager. When I was younger I never imagined I would have children. I thought two things would happen: A. The rapture would take place or B. I would die before I had children. Don't laugh, I actually thought that. Now I realize, I'm old! Now here I am a day after my oldest child turned 13 reflecting. Arcadia was born ON Mother's Day in 2001 at 9 pm after a long miserable labor. I'm sorry, I don't think the labor process is a beautiful thing. I just don't I think it's gross and I had to make sure a each of my children were CLEAN before they handed them to me- judge all you want, it doesn't change my opinion or make me a bad mom. Although I didn't think the labor process was a beautiful thing, becoming a mother was.  In 13 years, Arcadia has taught me more about myself than I could imagine ever learning in a life time let alone 13 years. We have gone though ups and downs and awkward times ...

I am assuming that even if you are not a believer you have uttered the words "I am so blessed." or have had someone inform you that you are, "so blessed".  Simple. But what does it mean? Does it mean that because you got a new car you are blessed? Or is it if you got a job while you were unemployed? Does this imply that because I do not have a new car or a job I am not blessed? I am more blessed than a homeless person who has a tent for a home? Is Tom Brady more blessed than I am because he has multiple homes? Is the family who has 19 children given more blessings that I because I only have 4 children? What about the family who is struggling to have children? Am I more or less blessed based on the things I can or can not afford? The list could go on and on and on...its limitless.  I have been reading, listening, looking, and observing in general. Trying to figure out what exactly is a blessing.  When I searched Google, I had over 9,700 matches...

I pull up to my mother in laws house and tell Tristan and Eireland, "Ok, have a great day! Tristan, remember I'm seeing your teacher this afternoon! I love you both."  Before Tristan's little hands could grab at the door handle, he shouts, "MOM! YOUT FORGOT TO PRAY FOR US!" (I don't think he actually knows how to speak in a normal tone, everything is done yelling.) We have made a habit of praying before each child gets out of the car at their destination. Indeed, today I forgot.  This is more than a normal little boy reminding me that we forgot to pray. You see, Tristan is struggling in his faith. Don't get me wrong, he's 6, I'm not expecting him to pass a theology class. But he is struggling. Often times at night when we pray together and I ask for his requests, he is not even interested in praying, and doesn't want to be a part of it. Thus, I simply lay my hand on him, grab Phoenix's hand and pray FOR Tristan. As well as praying for...

Where I have I been since December? I'm still searching for that answer myself. December brings about the typical things- holidays, family gatherings, etc. it also brought about a major life change for our family: my husband had spinal surgery- the one we have been waiting 2 years to have. In the midst of all that, I still needed to work and take care of the kids, oh, and did I mention we moved?  I don't think I could go into all the details with out needing a nap, for a week, but I wanted to let you all know that I am still alive. I was not taken over by my children, although, at times I thought that might actually happen. I'll be getting back on the blog daily now, with prayers for our children, inspirational photos and stories, and maybe even a give away. :) You can look me up on Facebook: CrazyBusyMomOf4, and Instagram under the same name.  My family was blessed beyond words with the meals that were provided to us while my husband was down for the count, the phone calls...

Mornings in our house are usually busy and full of stress to say the least. It seems as though no matter how hard we prepare the night before, things do not go quite right. And all too quickly I lose my patience.   My little Tristan, is all boy, and he is forgetful. He's full of life and excitement, and sometimes forgets to take a few moments to ensure that his responsibilities are taken care of. Today was no different- he had lost his library book for the second week in a row. Seriously, he had it yesterday! All of is looked for the elusive book. We were already running late and we needed to leave home, without his library book. He cried all the way to my mother in laws house as he knew he was going to lose his responsibility piece for his pyramid at school. I genuinely felt bad, but how else was he going to learn that there are consequences to his forgetfulness.  Like I said, I lost my patience, as I do most mornings. I struggle with this, every morning. And Tristan left fee...

Tristan told me this morning he didn't want to go to school today, because he said he he no friends and his little face just looked crushed and he started to cry. My heart broke- no parent likes to see those child hurt. I know Tristan has friends, but sometime kids can be hurtful- my son included. Today, my prayer is for our littles to have kind words and actions towards others and that others would have kind words and actions towards them. Kids don't always get along, I get that, they don't even have to like each other. That's ok too. But what they do need to do is be respectful no matter what. Teaching children to turn the other cheek is also not an easy task. It's a difficult concept for adults to understand! But it's not impossible. Ultimately, it comes down to loving one another.  Lord, I pray today for our little guys to be loved and accepted by others and reciprocate the same love and acceptance. I pray that our kids have good day at school or at home- wh...

My job is unconventional to say the least. Maybe one day I'll go into more detail, but for now, I'll leave it at, I am a sign language interpreter, and I have the wonderful opportunity to travel to some awesome place. A requirement of my job, listening.  As I sat and listened to a girl, her mother, boyfriend and friend talking. She seemed to be super polite and very well mannered, mature and she was beautiful. They tall talked a out college In two years, volunteer jobs they have now because not only do love them, but how beneficial they would be to their college applications. The girls wanted to go to a very prestigious Christian College- which, I'm not knocking, I went to a pretty amazing Christian University, they talked about the teachers they did not like and so on. All very normal topics- until the mother left, after that, all class went out the window and they turned into pretty rude kids with mouths like sailors. Their demeanors changed and didn't have a care in ...

The phrase, "One off those days." has come out of my mouth several times in the last 24 hours! As moms it is so easy to before overwhelmed with the every day tasks, let alone adding several stressful issues on top of them. For me, I admit I become so focused on all of the things I new to accomplish or fix or take care of that I often times overlook the things that stress my children out. Or, I dismiss them all together because they aren't a 'big deal'.  I could not be more wrong! To my little guys it is a big deal if their jacket is not zipped up just to the right spot, or if a special blanket is left at a grandparents house. It's a big deal if a permission slip was not turned in the next day or if you forgot the page of your math homework. (Yeah, all of those were big problems in our house these past yes days!) I need to make them feel more important and not dismiss the small things. I need to help them work through their issues and help them resolve them, an...

I open the lid if the washing machine and see a mixture of whatever Arcadia picked up and threw in there. I looked in there and thought to myself, "Sometimes I wonder what goes through her mind." Then I remembered, she's 12. What was going through her mind? I told her to start a load of laundry- I wasn't specific. Well, I thought I was specific. "Start a load of laundry that has Tristan's uniform pants in it." I meant, start a load of a dark clothes and make sure that Tristan's uniform pants are in it. The pants are black, the load of laundry would then be a load of darks right? Well, yeah, maybe if you are 31 and have been doing laundry for more than half your life. But when you are 12, you hear, "start a load of laundry, I don't care what is in the load of laundry, just make sure that Tristan's pants are in there." Seems legit right?  I remember plenty of items being 12 and much older in which I was told go do a load of laundry, a...

I have two boys, Tristan and Phoenix, 6 and 4. One likes cars and trains, the other likes guns and all things Army. They could not be any more different even if they tried.  Raising boys is interesting to say the least. My boys come after my girls, so when Tristan came along, my world was turned upside down. I had all these plans for Tristan- he was going to be the next Tom Brady. His baby shower was even football themed. As it turns out, he really has no interest in playing football- he desires to join the army. Phoenix is still 4, so I still have a little time to brain wash him into thinking that being the quarter back for the New England Patriots would be the best thing in the world. Hey, I can dream can't I?  Needless to say, we as moms want to see each of our children achieve greatness. No matter what our 'plans' for them are. I see God teaching me daily that my plans are not always HIS plans and I simply have to trust him, that he will direct my path as their mom and ...

Today's prayer is for girls- don't worry, tomorrow will be our prayer for boys. I'm a mother of two girls, 12 and 9. And let me tell you, as time goes on, it does not get easier. I look at my 12 old and I see the world she is entering, and it scares me. Honestly speaking, it is also an opportunity to increase my prayers for her, but also more opportunities to lead her in a way that will encourage her to lead a life pleasing to Christ. Not just my 12 year old, my 9 year old as well. So today, my prayers are focused on them.  Dear Lord, thank you for my two beautiful daughters. I thank you for the bond that I have with each of them, and I ask that you increase that bind daily. Being a mother to a daughter is such an enormous responsibility. I need to teach them about becoming young women with a heart that is focused on you. I need to lead by example to them. Help my girls to build open and honest relationships with me. The world for them has the potential to be a tempting and...

I know I skipped a few days, I'm sorry. With the Thanksgiving holiday, I found myself quite busy. I actually did think of a daily prayer I wanted to post, but then I was worried that the words wouldn't be quite right. So today, my prayer for our children is two fold. First is to be Thankful. Second, it is to see the bigger world around them and how they can make a difference.  If your friends with me on Facebook, you see that I often times post or share photos from the Jessie Rees Foundation. Which was started by a 12 year old girl who was dying from cancer. Her mission? Spread joy and encourage others to Never Ever Give Up. Creating the term NEGU. I encourage you to take a look at this foundation as for some reason, it really reached out and touched my heart like nothing else. The 'home office' is called the Joy Factory and volunteers can come near he help stuff Joy Jars, which are then sent to kids everywhere battling cancer. It's quite amazing. The Joy F...

Today's prayer comes from the deepest part of my heart at the moment. My husband has been out of town the past few days, and my children have been challenging to to say the least. The theme for the past few days has been to get along with each other, to respect each other and love each other. With 4 extremely different personalities this has posed quite the challenge. Today, however, I came home from grocery shopping to experience the sweet sound of all 4 of them playing together in their moving box fort. For this morning, great success. I realize this does not mean they will get along forever, or even for the next hour, but at least for the moment. Which is why is will continue to be part of my prayers for them.  Dear Heavenly Father,  Thank you for each of my children and their very different personalities. Each one offers something very special to our family. I pray Lord that you instill in each of their hearts a deep love and respect for their brothers and sisters. That th...

I work, a lot. It's no surprise. Today I left my house at 4:55. My Littles were all asleep, snuggled in their warm beds dreaming of who knows what, while I stumbled out to to my car to scrape the ice off of the windows. I won't be with them all day today as it looks to be a 14+ hour day. So today, my prayer is for them to be good while I'm away. For them to be safe and for me not to miss them too much. They will be just fine, and they are with my sister so I at least know that the house won't burn down. :) Good Luck Patience.  Dear Lord,  Thank you for my job, and the fact that I enjoy it. I pray that my children understand the long hours I need to work to provide for our family. I pray that today they they behave, and that they do what they need to do, I pray that they also have a nice day enjoying time with each other, their aunt and cousin Baby B. Keep them safe while I am not there with them. Help them to know that I love them, even though I am not there with them. ...