I'm a lucky woman.

“What do ships, railways, mines, cars, and government exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes?...[the Homemaker's] job is one for which all others exist." -C.S. Lewis

My first few months of motherhood were rough. I refused to let my baby cry, which led to lots of frustration and sleep deprivation. Looking back, I really had no idea what I was doing. I felt extremely bored just taking care of one baby who doesn't do much, but at the same time I felt overwhelmed with my new responsibilities.

It is so satisfying to look back and see that I really am improving in my ability to do this! There are still those frustrating days when I can't keep up. But overall I am getting better, more patient, more creative in how I deal with these toddlers, more compassionate when they get frustrated and angry, more able to keep things tidy and clean. When I mess up and the days are long, with everyone crying at once, I try to step back and remember that not only is this job the most important one in the world, but that I really am getting better at doing this.

I feel so grateful to have these four. Yes they cry and hit each other and make messes ALL over the house. But at the same time, they are so good! And just like I am getting better, they too are improving and growing and learning from their mistakes.

I had a few requests for Mother's Day, and they were (almost) all met. We went on a walk and enjoyed the lovely weather. The kids were good at church. I didn't cook dinner. (ok, so I sort of did, but it was an easy one.) I am enjoying a lovely back scratch right now. And I ignored everyone for a couple of hours while I figured out how to make picture collages and make a new blog header. (Silly, I know, but that's one of those little things I would never take the time to do, so I decided that on Mother's Day I would not feel guilty for wasting time on the computer!) I really love when Rick puts together a video of the kids for me for Mother's Day, and he did record a bunch of footage, but his eyes are not good enough to look at the screen to make it, darn it! (Rick had eye surgery last week, and the recovery is brutal!) So hopefully I will get my movie sometime soon.

Aaand here is an example of NOT-so-great mothering. I must have dropped a sewing needle on the ground somewhere. Isla must have crawled right into it. In the picture, my finger is touching the sharp end of the needle through the skin. Weird, right!! When I put her down for her nap that day, I felt something poke me but thought it was the snaps on her outfit. When she woke up three hours later and I picked her up, I looked down and saw this needle sticking out of her knee! She was acting totally normal, but I freaked out a little. I waited for Dr. Rick to come home, and he really had to yank that thing out. Poor girl!

And here is my little momma, Faye girl, trying to give a bottle to a little girl we babysit sometimes. Ha! Faye really does think she's a mom sometimes, I think. You should hear her yell out the back door for the boys to come inside, and when she tries to discipline them!

I took the boys to the library for craft time yesterday. So proud of Everett for sounding out words so well!

Funny that they both addressed their Mother's Day cards to "Page" instead of mom.

I am so grateful to have this job of a homemaker! And especially for those four funny little people sleeping upstairs. I sure am lucky to have them.