My Three Morning Lessons

I learned three important lessons this morning, all between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. The main idea rolling through my mind was, "It's way too early to start making lemonade."

This week was much smoother. I made progress with my writing, and I adjusted better to the transition. My quiet times each morning have been purposeful and filled with peace. The assurance of following God's plan has lifted my spirit. So when the lemons started rolling in late last night, I should have been better prepared - armed with His Word and ready to fire off prayers as needed.

Lemon #1 showed up as lack of sleep. My husband's new work schedule is just plain crazy, so when he woke me at 12:30, after I'd only slept about an hour, it took a few minutes for my brain to register the next lemon.

"The car won't start."

This meant he needed to take the other car. So I'm lying there in bed half asleep when it hits me. I can't get everyone where they need to go. My initial reaction was shameful. It's a bad habit I have. Yes, Warfield, I am admitting - in writing - that I was wrong. Instead of doing what I needed to do first (pray), I jumped on the defensive. The lack of sleep just exacerbated my response.

I realize what I did was what I do too often. I used prayer as a last resort, not my first response. If I had taken this approach, I probably would have remembered the AAA benefit before my husband pointed it out to me (another painful admission).

Thankfully, I was able to get everyone where they needed to be on time this morning. When I went to Auto Zone, I discovered they were having a rough day too. The computers were down, but I was able to get a new battery. The beauty of cash. My 198,000 mile Mitsubishi was ready for another beating running kids all over town.

The three lessons learned this morning:
1. Pray first. How many times do I have to do this before I get it right?
2. Renew the AAA membership every year. Just for my peace of mind. 24 hour roadside assistance means I can call at 4:30 a.m. and have someone sent out to help me.
3. Carry cash. You never know when technology will fail, especially if you urgently need something.

What lessons have you learned this week?

Transition Time

I write this blog post after almost two full weeks of chaos. My husband started a new job last week, which was a positive change, but the schedule is doing a number on me. After a year of him being out of town for four to five days a week, I am grateful to have him home every night. Of course, that means no more hamburger helper, a few more dishes to wash, and wow, how do I ever keep up with the laundry? In the same week, my oldest daughter started swim practice before school. Now I see her about thirty minutes in the morning, and an hour (if I'm lucky) in the evening before she disappears into her room.

My writing schedule was one goal that got pushed aside. Final edits for my devotion book need to be completed, but my brain has been fuzzy. Even writing The Wright Stuff has given me trouble this week. I tried to work on a post last night, but a killer headache created some not so fun side effects like nausea. I tried again earlier today, but the topic wasn't coming together. Now, as I write, I have just dealt with a meltdown over a hoodie from one child, right after another called to tell me the pick up time changed. Goodbye dinner plans.

Earlier this week I whined to a friend about my inability to accomplish anything right now. She reminded me to adjust my goals in times of transition. As much change as our family goes through, I should have known better than to try to keep in my same groove. I guess I'm just stubborn and think I can push through anyway.

To repeat the words of my wise friend, I have a question for my readers.

How do you adjust your goals during transition?

Milestones & Mommy Tears

After a rough start in getting the kids off for the first day of school last week, I was stunned by the emotion of taking a child to high school. I thought I was better prepared for this milestone, so I did not expect the tears that blurred my vision watching my beautiful, tall, growing-up-way-too-fast daughter walk into the school for her first day of ninth grade.

I tried to mask my emotion while my three other children sat quietly in the back seat. Then my six year-old said, "Mommy, are you crying?" This started a new flow of tears. How do you explain that you're sad when your children grow up, but proud to see them take big steps?

I cried when each child started Kindergarten, but for different reasons. There were "first child" tears and "my little girl is scared" tears. Five years later, I experienced "my child didn't wave goodbye" tears, and finally "the baby is in school" tears. But I also cry every time I see my children perform in school plays, church musicals, sporting events, and band concerts.

I hate that it is easy for me to get red-nosed, so I'll blame that on my children. With each baby we added to our family, the probability that I would cry during any given event increased greatly.

Each milestone tugs on my heart a little differently.

I'll admit, there are times I don't want my children to grow up. I want them to still need me, and sometimes my tears are a longing for that need. But that's not my task. My tears should represent a satisfaction that my children are taking positive steps for their future.

So you'll see me crying at the next church musical, and I will probably embarrass my children. I expect there will be more tears to come.

As my mother advised, "Save some tears for graduation."