5 reasons I should have stayed home!

Its snowing here....again.
I don't think we've had so much snow by this time of winter in years. It is beautiful and the kids love it. I just wish Ben didn't have to work in it. I really worry about him out driving in these snowstorms. I really hope this one doesn't strand him out in South Dakota like the last one!

Last night was our church's Children' Christmas Program. The 3 oldest boys did a great job remembering their lines and I was a proud mama for sure. But the evening didn't start out so great. Trying to get 5 kids and myself fed and dressed nicely and to the church by 6:30 is a feat in itself but when you throw in the extra hiccups I was about to find a nice little dark quiet hole to hide in. It started by the rushing through the house, trying to get coats and shoes and hats and gloves on everyone because it was a cold night...-7 degrees.

 #1 reason I should have stayed home=While we were driving into town I realized that dummy mommy forgot to put a sweater on Audrey who was wearing a sleeveless dress.When we got to church I realized I forgot mine as well.

 #2 = Trying to rush into the church from the parking spot on the street while we were running late while trying to balance a 1 1/2 year old on my hip along with carrying all the gifts for the Sunday School Teachers, the diaper bag, my purse, my big camera and holding a 2 year old's hand so he wouldn't get hit by the cars that were driving past. My blood pressure was I'm sure sky high just by doing this when the gift bag for one of the teachers decided to rip open from the bottom and out flew the 2 ltr of Sprite and a roll of Summer Sausage across the street. After yelling for the kids to "HELP ME" we managed to get into the door of the church.

 #3= While standing in the entry, Ethan, who is holding the platter of Christmas Cookies that we brought for the fellowship afterwards drops it and they all roll onto the floor. Right there I just wanted to cry and run away! Finally we get all the treats picked up. All the kids go to where they are supposed to be.

#4 =  I go downstairs and see my sister and she asks me if I'm all right. I just break down right there. Tears and all. I ran to the bathroom to try to suck it up. The program starts. My mom takes Owen to sit with her. The program starts and I'm so proud of my kids up there. Then the singing starts.

 #5 = Audrey decides she needs to go up there and sing with the other kids, unfortunately for here Mommy won't let her have her way. She proceeds to scream and throw a hissy fit every time the kids do a song. I finally gave up and walked out with her. 

Finally the program ends and we visit for a while and then go home. I was so happy to go home. Its days like this that make me hate Ben's job. I hate being alone for special things the kids have. I don't think he's ever made it to any of the kids Christmas Programs. It makes me sad that he doesn' get to see his kids up there. It makes me sad that while everyone else's husbands are there for them to help them just to get the basics done ,like helping everyone get to church,I am all alone trying to manage 5 kids. I know my husband hates being gone for those important things too. I'm so thankful that I have a husband that works so hard to provide for us even if it means him having to miss out on all the fun stuff with the kids but it doesn't make it any easier.

I realize now that even though I wanted to run away last night, I'm so blessed with such a great church family. When the cookies dropped a wonderful lady from church quickly said "It's o.k honey, 5 second rule right and the carpet just got vacuumed so its clean. Let me help you" What a lady- she is so sweet. I don't know if she knew how close to tears I was. Blessed with a mom who helped me with Owen and helped me get all the kids out to the van when it was over.Blessed with a sister who knows what I'm feeling and understands when I break down in tears in front of her. My other sister who tells me she likes my skirt even though I felt like I looked like crap. My pastors wife, she tells me that I encourage her when I don't know how that could be when she's the one that always has an encouraging word. It makes my tear up just thinking about all the wonderful people God has put in my life to be there for me when I feel like I can't take it another minute.

I have so much to be thankful for and I'm just so thankful that He is always there putting people in my life when I need that bit of comfort or encouragement. Its so amazing to me that the God of All the Universe cares about me. About all of us. He sent his one and only son to be a savior to us. Just to live so he could die for us. Think about that. Did you know that you were loved that much? And even more amazing is that He would have done all that just for me or even just you. He is Wonderful. I hope that you want to know Him if you don't already because He is there just waiting for you to accept that amazing most wonderful gift of love.


2 Corinthians 12:9,10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" Therefore I will boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in persecutions, in hardships, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.