Stages of Life

Life flies by at an amazingly quick pace, but for the most part, I haven't really felt "old" until this summer. Especially yesterday. There is no place like your OB-GYN's waiting room to make a 34 year old woman feel old. I sat there and watched as pregnant mom after pregnant mom walked into the room, and wow, did they look young. And the men (boys) they dragged (literally, in some cases) with them looked even younger. I'm hoping they weren't all sixteen like it seemed, but regardless of their actual ages, it made me look back over the stages of life that we go through.

As children we counted the days until every birthday, longing to grow up, desperately wanting to go to elementary school, then to middle school, and to high school. We couldn't wait until we could drive, date, go to prom, and then graduate. Then we would dream about college, a job, getting married, and having kids.

On of my first thoughts in that waiting room was how thankful I was that I wasn't pregnant, carrying a baby seat, or hoisting a 13 month old on my hip. But then I thought...what is the next "big thing" in life that I am dreaming about? At this point my life, what milestone am I looking forward to?

A few minutes later I was in the doctor's office going over my medical history with the doctor. The list was lengthy: Habitual Aborter (which means 'miscarriages' for the non-medical people), possible PCOS, multiple D&C's, Ectopic Surgery, gallbladder problems, Polycystic Liver Disease, mother with breast cancer, father with diabetes and high blood pressure. Suddenly my next "big thing" to dream about became obvious -- NOT DYING! I felt OLD.

I realized at that moment that I had officially entered the stage of life that begins when one is finished having children, and ends with.....uhhhh....retirement? If you're lucky.

The good news is, I feel as if I can say that and not be depressed about it. I'm excited for this stage of life. I have been blessed to be able to experience everything on my original "dream" list. There may have been a few bumps along the way, but I was able to grow because of each bump (or mountain) we had to travel over. I have no idea what God has in store for this stage of my life, but I'm looking forward to finding out.

Even if it means I have to get OLD in the process.

Things I'm Pondering

~Since I live in a family of all boys, does that mean I'm supposed to learn to put the toilet seat UP when I'm finished?

~How many times am I going to kill my foot by stepping on Legos before I throw them all away?

~How is it that my closet can get so messy when I only spend at most 3.4 minutes in there each day?

~Is it really necessary to keep the "hiking boots" from high school in my closet just in case I ever need them?

~How is it possible that my freezer is so full of food and I can't figure out what to make for dinner?

~Why can't my three year old grasp the concept of using WORDS instead of screaming at the top of his lungs?


~Why do Friday nights no longer feel any different than any other night of the week?

~What does "Mom, I did it accidentally on purpose!" mean?

Trip to Illinois

• Hanging out for long talks.
• A drive through Amish country.
• Texas Roadhouse.
• A day of shop 'til you drop.
• Pretzels in the mall.
• 1500 trips to the bathroom.
• Movie night and caramel popcorn.
• Tried out a new Greek restaurant. Yes...I ordered chicken.
• Saw the dancing pizza guy. I never would have believed it if I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes.
• Packed two freshman for a week long mission trip. Glad my kids are 6 and 3.
• Culvers!
• Favorite quote of the weekend: From the 8 yo about the 6 yo..."I think he's just going over to the neighbors to put the moves on some girls."
• Very little sleep.
• Way too many hours in the car.
• Wouldn't have it any other way...except maybe fewer hours in the car.

Lazy Days of Summer?

SATURDAY--

Family fishing day at the pond behind our house. The 3 yo caught his first fish ever. He's so proud!

It was time to go, so the 6 yo was reeling in his line. It got harder and harder the longer he did it. "I think I have a fish! Help me!"

"It's a fish!"

"No, nevermind. It's just a snag."

"No! It's a fish!"

SUNDAY--

Worst stomach pain I've had since miscarriages and childbirth. But at least back then I knew what was causing it! We almost headed to the ER, but the pain gradually started subsiding. My mom's guess: gallbladder.

MONDAY--

Drs. appointment to see what is going one. Result - gallbladder sonogram.

I came home to this. I'm sure after all these years, I should be used to this, but for some reason, I am just NOT.

Also on Monday, I once again became the sole female in a house full of boys. The girl who had been staying with us for the past nine months moved into her very first apartment. I hope she loves her independence as much as I did at that age! I sound so old. Oh, to be 20 again....

TUESDAY--Beans. Corn. A swollen black eye for the 3 yo after a run-in with a baseball bat.

WEDNESDAY--Gallbladder sono. We are hoping for results on Thursday.

TODAY--Leaving for girls' weekend in Illinois!!!

Wake Up and Listen

Me: Gripe, gripe, grip....more bean picking...gripe, gripe, gripe....Flood insurance nightmare....gripe, gripe, gripe...


My 6 yo: Singing at the top of his lungs, "The Word of the Lord is true, we can trust Him, we can trust Him..."


Me: Complain, gripe, complain...field work...school work...gripe, gripe

My 6 yo: Belts out, "I get down, He lifts me up, I get down, He lifts me up..."

Me: Complain...too much cleaning....gripe...kids are fighting...gripe

My 6 yo: "You're powerful! You're unshakeable!"

Funny thing is, I was just saying the other day that I don't usually hear God, and don't know when He is speaking to me. It seems like maybe I should pay a little more attention to what is going on around me! The very same day I had a friend tell me to read Psalm 119 in The Message. What a blessing it was. It's long, but a very worthwhile read.

Blessings to you this 4th of July weekend!