The Crazy Hour

I think every mother of little ones knows what I am talking about.  That time late in the afternoon when the kids just go nuts.  School is over for the day, the littlest ones wake up from their naps with a new burst of energy.  Everyone is cranky...and then the whining starts.

"When's dinner?"  "I'm starving!"  "When's Daddy getting home?"  "I'm bored!"

The baby is fussy, the kids are fighting and I am just trying to get dinner on the table.
So how do we calm the crazy hour?

I put them to work.  Nobody stays bored in this house! :)

I try to turn the crazy hour into a time of preparing for Daddy to come home.  After working all day he wants to come home to a haven, not a landmine field of toys.  So, we do a quick pick up.

If I were to yell at the kids, "Clean up this mess!".  They would take one look, feel overwhelmed and protest.  But If I enthusiastically say, "Ok, let's do a quick clean up, everyone pick up 10 things."  They jump right to it, usually turning it into a race.

Then we start on dinner...I try to plan out dinner at least that morning so I am not scrambling at the last minute to make something.  I love having the kids help me cook, but we have a lot of little hands that are eager to help and sometimes it is overwhelming.  I try to use this time as my special time with one of the kids.  They take turns who will get to help Mommy in the kitchen, and the rest will help set the table.

They clean off the day's schoolwork, wipe it clean, fold the napkins and set out the silverware.  They love to pick out a candle for the centerpiece.  They are so excited to show Daddy when he gets home and my assistant chef is just bursting with pride over our delicious meal.

Why is it important to prepare our homes for our husbands?  Because he deserves it. 

"But he doesn't know what I've been through all day!"   No, he doesn't, but neither do you.  He has had a boss to answer to all day.  He has had a long day away from his family just to provide for us.  He hasn't had a sweet baby to cuddle or little ones giving hugs. He has missed many first smiles and first steps.

Yes, I know how hard it can be to be home all day with a full house and no break.  I am sitting here now with 3 hours of sleep and no shower...but I would never want to trade this life for what my husband goes through all day. 

Every man wants to feel like the king of his castle.  And when he comes home feeling like a king, he will be more willing to treat you like a queen.

Contentment

(Photo Credit)

This morning my husband called me "Madame Blueberry".  I was so mad! 

If you aren't familiar with the VeggieTale, Madame Blueberry is a very sad berry because nothing that she has is good enough.  She then goes to Stuffmart, where she buys everything thinking it will make her happy.  She of course learns along the way that things don't make you truly happy.

As he left for work I was still fuming.  I looked over at our 8 year old toaster, that only toasts half the bread and makes a loud squealing sound to tell you your half-toasted bread is ready.  "I'm the most un-materialistic person I know!".

This all started because I mentioned that I really want to paint the house.  We were in a hurry to move in and had agreed to wait to paint until we had more time and our budget allowed.  We've lived here 2 months and already my hallway is lined with little fingerprints.  There are crayon marks on my dining room wall, and no matter how much I scrub, I can't get the stains off of this ugly, flat white paint.

I don't think I am being discontent.  The walls are dirty and it's embarrassing. 

Hmmm...embarrassing why?  Because someone might come over and think I'm a bad homemaker?  Because my stuff defines me?  Ouch.

"But I never buy anything for me!"; I reasoned with my conscience.

The truth is I would feel guilty spending money on a new toaster when my kids need new shoes.  Or on paint for the house when our daughter needs a new bed and is sleeping on a mattress on the floor.

Contentment is not being a martyr.  Contentment is not being cheap.  Contentment is having a thankful heart.

Is painting your house or buying small kitchen appliances a sin?  Of course not.  But having a coveting and discontent spirit is.  (Exodus 20:17)

My husband said he was only joking, but I think there was a lot of truth to what he said.  He sees my heart more than anyone.  His comment forced me to do a lot of soul searching and I didn't like what I saw.

I am overwhelmed with God's blessings every time we drive past our first home.  That sweet, little cottage that could literally fit in the kitchen I have now.  And in that tiny cottage with it's one foot of counter space sat this same ugly toaster.

Thank you Jesus for these walls that keep us warm
And for all these messy little children who make it feel like home.
Thank you Jesus for the bread we have to eat
And for this ugly toaster that sometimes toasts but always squeaks.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:12-13

My Sanctuary

This is the first house we have lived in that had a dishwasher.  My husband would joke that our dishwasher only worked on Mother's Day.  Washing dishes by hand seemed like one of those never-ending chores.  The sink would be empty just in time to start the next meal.

As moms of little ones know, meal clean up is an event.  You have sticky children and spills to clean up under and all over the table.  Baby food smeared on the highchair and crumbs to sweep up off the floor.  The dishes usually came last.

There were days where it seemed overwhelming.  Just as I would start to wash them, the baby would cry or some other disaster would erupt.  It was frustrating because dirty dishes would take over my kitchen.  I hate feeling cluttered.

I was so excited to finally have a dishwasher.  It has saved so much time in my day and I can hide my dirty dishes in there until I have a full load.  I've even taught the kids how to load and run it.

But...dare I say it...I kind of miss washing them by hand. 

Those moments at my kitchen sink were my sanctuary.  I would look out my kitchen window, watch the wind carry the birds and daydream.  I would use those moments to pray, reflect and remember. 

My windowsill held mementos from our honeymoon, Bible verses I was memorizing, photos of my brother who I miss more than anything...and usually a few dandelions that my children had picked for me.

As my hands were scrubbing, I was venting to God about the things that had hurt my heart that day.  I complained (probably about having to wash the dishes again!) and He would quiet my soul.

I may not get a weekend away or even an hour, but I can have my moments at my kitchen sink.

How do you find your quiet moments in the midst of a busy day?

Homemade Chai Latte

I had my first taste of chai tea when I worked at a coffee shop many years ago.  One sip and I was hooked.  It's a creamy, sweet and spicy cup of comfort.  All the recipes I had found to make it at home called for exotic spices that I didn't have and I was not willing to pay $$$ to invest in them.

Then I found this recipe in my Betty Crocker cookbook.  It may not be completely authentic, but it is delicious and made from spices that everyone should already have in their cabinet.

I halve this recipe to make a jumbo mug just for me. :)

2 cups water
4 bags black tea
2 cups milk
2 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Heat water to boiling in a medium saucepan.  Add tea bags, reduce heat and simmer  uncovered 2 minutes.  Remove tea bags.

Stir in remaining ingredients; heat to boiling.  Stir with a wire whisk to foam milk.  Enjoy!