Today, my new baby is two weeks old. Today was also the first day I have been left to take care of my four little ones without help. I have been dreading this day and praying everything goes well, and that I can handle the messes, the cooking, the diapers, the nursing, the entertaining, and on top of it all the teaching of my babies.
I have been blessed with the Lord's tender mercies today. Today has been such a great day despite my three older ones recovering from a stomach flu, it being a cold wet inside day, and having a nursing newborn that needs a lot of attention from me.
This morning the boys got up and ate a few snacks while I finished nursing the baby. I finally was able to go downstairs and made breakfast. We were eating by 9am. While the kids finished eating I swept and cleaned up. While we ate we listened to scripture stories about Jesus Christs miracles and his apostles and it prompted some discussion about choosing the right.
Lesson #1 patience, independence
Lesson #2 when we chose the right we are happy
We were gifted some madlibs for Christmas and my 6 year old LOVES them. We did about three today right after breakfast at the kitchen table.
Lesson #3 nouns, adjectives, verbs, new vocabulary like "filthy"
After the madlibs I put the baby in her baby wrap for a nap and headed upstairs to brush our teeth. My six year old made his bed and brushed his teeth, got dressed, and came over to tell me he was going to take out the clean laundry and put the wet clothes in the dryer too. He did that and then informed me he wanted to sort the clean laundry and put it away. He initiated this chore all on his own, and was happy to do it!
Lesson # 4 personal hygiene, family responsibility, cooperation, organization,cleanliness
While upstairs putting laundry away the kids noticed some new books and they wanted me to read to them. By this time the baby needed to nurse. So I nursed the baby while we read four books on math concepts, and community helpers.
Lesson #5 addition, all about police, paramedics, and fire men
After our stories we had a snack and some free time. After a while my son came to me again to tell me he wanted to prepare lunch for everyone! So he put together a nice little lunch of an apple, blackberries, chips and salsa, and trail mix.
Lesson #6 joy in service, putting together a healthy meal
After lunch the little girls napped while we played a dice game where we rolled the dice and wrote out addition problems on the white board. We played for over 30 minutes. The boys didn't want to stop!
Lesson #7 writing addition problems
The day wasn't exactly perfect, but it was the kind of day I needed to know that although I have a lot going on, and things may not be ideal always, there is so much to be learned from just living life! I know my Heavenly Father lives and knows me and my needs, desires, and worries. Today was just a confirmation to me that He is present in my life, and the life of my family.
Learning will happen in our little home with the Lord's guiding hand.
