The Barela Family

This week did not roll out like I had planned. I was planning an overly productive week. Brian was traveling. I was looking forward to quiet evenings getting plenty ‘o stuff done. Not that I wasn’t going to miss quality with my husband but you know, looking forward to a change of pace for a few days. Well other things were in store for me. The morning Brian left I woke up with the flu. So. Not. In. The. Plans. Being sick is not high on my list EVER. Being sick when flying solo on the homefront is at the THE very bottom of my list. Because you know it doesn’t really make a difference if you’re sick to three young kids. None. My hopes for productive days and evenings were quickly erased. There was a lot of extra sleep, like in bed before 9pm, some extra TV time and moving rather slowly throughout the days. Still, I am thankful I was able to quickly redirect be efforts and attitude. Which is very unlike me. Usually I am not a very joyful sick person, rather grouchy in fact. I don’t like that MY PLAN is ruined because of sick days. I know so ugly and self centered. But true.

Despite being sick most of the week I can say now that I am feeling somewhat better I had a good week even though it wasn’t what I expected. I just saw His hand in cool, unexpected ways. Here are a few:

1. I was given the opportunity to encourage and pray for Brian in specific ways while he was gone. Even though we were miles apart I felt very close to him.
2. Our life group meeting this week was in our home. I love having others in our home, especially close friends. It was loud and chaotic at times times with lots of kids but still so awesome to see how God continues to knit our hearts together as a group. Love it!
3. Our good friends Andy and Jenni had the kids and I over for dinner. She often makes a point to have us over when Brian is traveling. He travels often so we gather around their table frequently. Words cannot express how much I appreciate a meal with other adults when I am managing on my own. The encouragement, community and the mere fact that the evening goes that much faster to bedtime blesses me so much!
4. Before I go to bed I always go in and check on each of kids. I make sure they are covered up and snuggled just so. I like to look at their faces so sweet and peaceful. A good picture to take in, especially if that particular day I didn’t see a lot of sweetness out of them. This week God impressed on me to lay my hands on each of them and pray for them specifically. I just felt God met me right there and placed specific words on my heart for each of them. I was so blessed by this special time with each of them. I think I will continue.
5. I had the privilege of attending my first school field trip with Mason. Oh my. What an experience with 90+first graders. I had Mason and two other boys in his class to keep track of throughout the day. Truth be told, probably 3 of the most energetic boys of the whole group. But we had so much fun. We went to Conner Praire, which is right here close to us. It was my first time and I loved it. The part of the park we visited was Praire town, back in 1800’s. We visited the blacksmith, the candlemaker and potter. We churned butter and played “stick and hoop” and got water from the well. You know just living the life of early settlers. No biggie. We also visited the one room school house and sat through a lesson with a VERY strict schoolmaster. This lady was not messing around and took her role quite seriously! I question whether she really knew it was not 1836. It was there where Mason asked me if I attended a one room schoolhouse or a regular school like him. Wow. And I thought I was aging pretty nicely. Most of all I loved watching Mase interact with his classmates and teacher. It gave me a better picture of who he is at school. I must say I was very proud of our little guy and what I saw. It was a great day to spend together!

I am thankful God’s plans for my week were different than I what I intended, even if it did include the flu. Hope you take some time today to think of the highlights of your week and thank Him for them! For it was His plan all along!

{photo credit}
Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a mom. Of course I only saw and imagined the wonderful cute things like dressing your kids in super cute outfits, pushing a stroller, having a little person snuggle right up to you because YOU are their mommy. All those things have happened and I loved it! Better than I even imagined it. But there have been a few surprises along the way. Sometimes I find myself doing/thinking a certain thing and I am just surprised.

• The amount of things I can accomplish before 8 am.
• A fully stocked fridge and pantry really does bring joy to my heart.
• How I can whip out a decent meal when the fridge and pantry are rather empty.
• How my sweet little babies that I love so much can cause such frustration in my heart at times.
• The amount of patience that God can give out if I choose to accept it.
• Cleaning out dirty, nasty trash cans and returning them into sparkling, clean state again brings me such satisfaction.
• Standing in line at the Post Office with 2 crying girls, several others staring at me, them then back at me. I smile.
• Helping with homework, responding to a text from husband and answering 17 questions about why we don’t have an upstairs house all while cooking dinner with 4 little “helping” hands is no biggie. Ok, well maybe sometimes. But I do it without a second thought.
• The number of questions I answer a day is mind boggling. This explains why my brain is mush my 8:30pm.
• Having uninterrupted bathroom time of any sort is a true luxury.
• The amount of random items I find in my purse, in the car and under the couch never ceases to amaze me.
• Being a mom and running a house well is the hardest job I’ve ever had or ever will have.
• I am desperate for God’s wisdom, strength and guidance each and everyday. Attempting to do it on my own is not an option.

I’m learning not to be surprised where motherhood takes me. I am confident wherever it takes me I am being led by Him and he is not surprised at all. He rejoices with me when items are picked up off the floor during the 7 hours that everyone is sleeping. He gives me strength when all I want to do is crash on that floor I just picked up. He gives me wisdom when I have no idea what to do next. Even though I never thought of certain things in my mom job description he did. Nope he’s not surprised. He just knows. I’m learning to “just know” he’s there in the big things and mundane things. I need him in all things in this great and glorious job of being a mom. Whatever is behind the next door I know I can handle with him.

How about you? Are you surprised ever at the things you do as a mom?