Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen

1...See that little picture of the ant and the crackers above, well I have felt a bit like that little 'ol
ant today, a bit burdened and weighed down. Although the weather was perfect, I wasn't. Something was chewing away inside of me that I didn't and still don't have an answer for.


2....So to help take my mind of it all I visited my oldest daughter and two of my granddaughters. I took another three of my daughters with me. One more daughter unfortunately lives just over an hour away and couldn't be with us. Confusing huh? :)

3....My almost 17 year old spending the night with her big sister, was another reason for the visit. Plus my 6 year old granddaughter and her almost 8 year old auntie are the best of friends and are always looking for opportunities to get together to play.

4....And for me to just hang out with my kids is always a pleasure!
It's fun and noisy and family and there's a whole lot of love between those kids of ours. But still I couldn't unwind completely.

5....Their laughter and playing around with each other makes me laugh and I feel very rewarded as a mom. It's beautiful to see them so close.

6....Even so, I just couldn't seem to find the balance I needed even in the company of my girls.

7....So I am still trying to relax on the 40 minute drive home. Traffic jams and half road closed stoppages and the loud music my 13 year old was listening to (which by the way, I did an admirable job of blocking out) did absolutely zilch toward improving my emotional state.

8....For those of you who don't know, I have seven, yup, seven kids. Two boys and five girls, all of 'em treasures. They are my joy and sometimes my frustration and a big part of my value of who I am in this world.

9...I mentally roll my eyes when people say to me, "Oh my, you are a glutton for punishment. All those kids. Don't you have a TV!"
I love each and every one of those seven kids, how could I not. My flesh and blood.

10...Even when they are driving me crazy with demands and issues and worrying the heck out me, wondering if they are okay. And so far they are all okay. Their adventures and forays into adulthood have certainly been interesting and in some instances downright dangerous.
By the grace of God they are alive and well. Blessed, yes I believe we are.
*Sigh* We still have three to get to adult hood.

11...Being with my girls today was good, very good. Helped me think about more than just my own issues. But the real turning point for my getting myself together was the quote below.
I found it on A Little Piece of Me while I was supposedly preparing dinner.

12..."It has been said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength." ~ Charles Spurgeon

13...A freeing truth for me in those words.

Happy TT! :)

Love,