Family time

Sometimes I take a step back and I look at my life. This time around I became very tired at the sight. Our current obligations and responsibilities exceed normal capabilities. Frequently, we are in the position of being "on" to support a floundering state of another; It may be Isaac's job or, more frequently mine (due to the nature of my position), family issues on BOTH sides, etc. We juggle the external trauma with kid fun and alert and deliberate attentiveness to their growth. We are intentional to shield them from the drama and stress while not sheltering them from life. They are good kids with kid difficulties. We have a budding (in every sense of the word) moody pre-teen that needs a new definition to her parent/ child relationship, a highly curious 7 year old boy who loves to be stimulated intellectually and physically, a 2 and a half year old full of life and vibrancy craving more touch and snuggle and rest. Our almost 10 year old seeks to not get caught in the middle. We must steal time away to focus solely on her with individualized apt attention. It is a blessing to be a parent, yet something that is flying by way too fast. In the midst of our life right now the one thing bringing me pleasure of epic proportions is quality family time.

Tonight we gave the 11 year old time at home for "quality alone time" (her request), while we took the other three down to the park out back to run and jump rope, play in the sand and wrestle in the grass. The summer evening humidity paired with the cool of the grass to intoxicate our nostalgic senses. Laughter and creativity was in abundance. The result of an evening together was evident in the bedtime process.

I am blessed beyond measure.