Down in the Grumps

I KNOW EVERY HOUSEHOLD THAT HAS CHILDREN EXPERIENCES DAYS WHEN THE GO-TO DISPOSITION FOR THE DAY IS GRUMPINESS.  OUR SOCIAL CALENDAR IS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AS WE PACK IN VISITS WITH FRIENDS, WEDDING-RELATED EVENTS, AND SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY BEFORE THE BIG MOVE TO CLEVELAND.  OUR WEEKENDS ARE ESPECIALLY BUSY, AND OFTEN INCLUDE TRIPS TO MILWAUKEE.  WITHOUT FAIL, COME MONDAY MORNING OUR CHILDREN WAKE UP STRUNG OUT AND EMOTIONALLY UNSTABLE AS THEY ADJUST TO LIFE IN THEIR OWN HOME, THEIR OWN BEDS AND THE ATTENTION OF ONE TIRED MOMMY (INSTEAD OF TWO SETS OF EQUALLY TIRED, BUT VERY DOTING GRANDPARENTS.)  IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT TIME SPENT WITH LOVED ONES IS PRECIOUS, BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE AFTERMATH IS ANYTHING BUT. 

YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF THOSE DAYS.  HAVING MADE IT THROUGH MONDAY UNSCATHED, I WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY TUESDAY'S SNEAK ATTACK.  DRESSING WAS A BATTLE. DIAPER CHANGES FELT LIKE ONE-ON-ONE COMBAT. LITTLE UNDERPANTS CONTAINED COUNTLESS "LAND MINES" THAT COULDN'T QUITE MAKE IT INTO THE TOILET. NAP TIME INVOLVED AN HOUR OF (FAILED) NEGOTIATIONS RESULTING IN ONE NOT TWO BABES IN SLUMBER.   AN AFTERNOON TRIP TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP TURNED INTO BOOT CAMP AS TWO EXCITABLE CHILDREN MADE IT THEIR PERSONAL MISSION TO CLIMB UP AND JUMP OFF EVERY POSSIBLE TYKE CHAIR AVAILABLE IN THE KID'S WAITING ROOM.  TENSIONS WERE HIGH, ENERGY LEVELS EVEN HIGHER.   NOT EVEN A SPONTANEOUS PIZZA DINNER COULD APPEASE THE TROOPS.  AND, SADLY OUR GENERAL (AKA - DADDY) WAS CALLED TO DUTY ELSEWHERE.  AFTER BATHING THE LITTLE SOLDIERS, NURSING THEIR WOUNDS, AND TUCKING THEM IN THEIR BUNKS I FELT LIKE I HAD JUST SURVIVED OUR OWN LITTLE VERSION OF WWIII.  THE COUCH WAS CALLING MY NAME.

INEVITABLY, THERE WILL BE  DAYS WHEN WE EXPERIENCE MORE BATTLES THAN PEACE TREATIES.   IT IS SO EASY TO LOOSE ONESELF IN THE MIDST OF LOUD VOICES, MEAL PLANNING, TOSSED TOYS, AND FAILED ACTIVITIES. AS I NURSED MY OWN BATTLE WOUNDS ON THE COUCH THAT EVENING, WATCHING THE SUN SET ON OUR DIFFICULT DAY, I WAS FILLED WITH RELIEF AND THE PROMISE OF A NEW DAY. 

TODAY, I WAS MET WITH THE SWEET SOUNDS OF BIRDS SINGING, THE WARM GLOW OF SUNLIGHT AS IT FILLED MY KITCHEN, AND A SONG IN MY HEART REMINDING ME OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;



There is no shadow of turning with Thee;


Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;


As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.


Great is Thy faithfulness!


Great is Thy faithfulness!


Morning by morning new mercies I see.


All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;


Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!


Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,


Sun, moon and stars in their courses above


Join with all nature in manifold witness


To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.




Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth


Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;


Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,


Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!