Please Come Home to Me

My girls come home tomorrow.  They've been at girls camp this week.  ALL THREE OF MY BIG GIRLS-- gone.

I've been home with three boys and Greta.  And Greta has undergone a personality change this week and it's not pretty.  

Let me say this.  My life has NOT gotten easier with the girls gone.  True, I was down by three children and the schedule was markedly simplified with not having to worry about the logistics of transporting them to to their many practices and lessons and work schedules and such.  But OH!  How I've missed their conversation and their humor and their helpfulness.  I had not realized how much they helped out with the younger kids.  I had forgotten the stresses of being home with all young children.  I would so much rather be home with eight children ages 1-18 than 4 children ages 1-10.   

I dreadfully miss the older kids.  With no big people at home, you have to take EVERYBODY EVERYWHERE!  

Cannon started his three week long ballet workshop this week.  We had to leave the house around 2:00 pm.  Right smack in the middle of Greta's nap time.  This might explain her transformation into the toddler from "you know where" this week.   Seriously, wailing and growling, and gnashing of teeth.  The girls are going to wonder what happened to their adorable, sweet baby sister.  They will wonder what we did to her in their absence.  

Basically, what I'm saying is, if you are a mom of small children (no one over the age of 11)-- your life is HARD!!!  I know it has it's rewards, but let me tell you-- it gets WAY better.  Teenagers are marvelous.  I hear young adults are hard.  

My oldest is on a mission and loving life, so I can't comment on young adults yet.  But the teenagers are interesting and excited about life.  They are testing out their independence, but still in your nest.  They talk to you-- in reasonable voices.  

 Little ones need help with everything.  I feel like my two youngest yell and scream their needs at me all day.  They can't get their own food.  They need help with bathroom needs.  They need to be buckled in their car seats.  They need stories read to them.  They need help bathing.  They need help with shoes and socks.  They need to be watched when they go outside to play.  They follow me around-- no exaggeration-- three of four tried to break into the bathroom while I taking care of needs today.  Or perhaps worse than following me around, they sneak off and find ways to silently get into trouble.  

I'm not used to having to meet all these needs by myself.  I am accustomed to having three other moms (Bethany, Elinor, and Faith) around to help with all their needs.  So, yes, I am a big whining whimp this week.  I've gotten older and am out of energetic "young mom" shape.  I'M EXHAUSTED from all the little needs.  I will give Cannon a shout out and say he has tried to be very helpful and I do appreciate his efforts.  But still, he's no match for the three girls!

So there you have it.  I am not what I once was.  If I ever really was that great.  Being home with small children is lonely.  I remember that feeling.  Thankfully, that's not a feeling I have much anymore.  

The girls come home tomorrow.  I CANNOT WAIT!!!