I haven't been posting as much lately ... basically because all I have to say these days is this: I AM SO TIRED!
And I sure am
tired of hearing myself complain about being
tired.
Thus the silence.
I don't know that there is any "solution" to Chloe's nighttime wake-ups. I don't think I am being overly indulgent or overly harsh in my approach. I just think that she needs to get older and become increasingly mature and "sleep-trained" and eventually she will sleep through the night regularly. Honestly, my other two took awhile to sleep through the night too. I think it's just wearing me down because I am also taking care of 2 other kids who have legitimate needs for love and attention too! :)
I will say this. God is certainly teaching me to depend on Him for my energy. And He continues to provide. So many people have helped me out in various little ways, and I thank God for them.
While I do struggle some days and it can be difficult to be at home with small children, the truth is - it could be so much harder. And God has really put things in perspective for me over the past month. There is a woman at my church who I have known since I was a grade-schooler. I went to Sunday School and youth group with her daughters. And she recently had a recurrence of cancer and they basically have told her that the cancer she has now is incurable. It is so sad, even though I know she will be at peace with God in heaven. I just feel badly for her having to say good-bye to her children and grandchildren. It doesn't seem fair.
Also, I recently found out that my Aunt Linda is dying of cancer as well. I saw her 6 weeks ago at my Grandpa's 100th birthday celebration and she seemed totally fine. We spent time at her house and she had thoughtfully pulled out toys for my kids to play with, held and bounced a crying Chloe, and sent the kids off with little treats she had bought them for the plane ride home. And now literally 6 weeks later - she is in a hospital bed in her living room, unable to walk, with her hair falling out, and very little time left. I really am in a kind of shock about it.
I pray for her and my uncle, and for our friend at church, as often as I think of it. It's the least I can do. And as I said to my mom the other day, it is hard to be a whiner about my lack of sleep when I think of these situations.
It's so easy to focus on the negative in our lives. I do it far too often. But God is teaching me to find the joy in each day and I am slowly learning. Because who knows how many more days we may have?
Bottoms up! :)
Our indian princess eating her breakfast
I took the kids to the mall to see Santa on Wednesday. We had an absolutely wonderful time together! I almost couldn't believe how good everyone was. I took this picture to show Audrey's pretty hair - some lady at a kiosk offered to curl it ... and we said yes!
Audrey, my blue collar gal, "fixing" stuff around the house. Daddy said she should drink gatorade like he does when he is doing field work :)
Chloe hanging out with her Uncle Andy on Thanksgiving
Our Thanksgiving tree completed! Although are we ever done giving thanks?
We started decorating for Christmas. Boy, does Carter love this musical snow globe.
Audrey was totally into decorating the tree this year. A girl after my own heart!
Audrey with her favorite princess ornament.
My girls in their Christmas jammies. Although Audrey has been wearing hers since September ...
Here is one way Chloe differs from her siblings ... she will actually do "tummy time."
Daddy & Audrey had some fun together this weekend -- they even went bowling, just the two of them!
