"The reason that we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel."
Our Facebook-worthy pic of our gloriously wonderful Father's Day
Let's go behind the scenes, shall we?
To start the day, our six-month-old black lab puppy began barking sometime around the six o'clock a.m. hour. So much for anyone sleeping in on Father's Day (nevermind the fact that I was also up at 4:45 a.m. with our semi-neurotic 11 year-old lab who thought he needed to go outside and hunt or whatever)! Matt said that he would "puppy-sit" since he is the morning person in our family. It's just not my gift, although I was willing to try it for him in light of the whole Father's Day thing. Not long after the puppy's awakening, our two little (human) cherubs bounded down the stairs...
It's Sunday which means... we go to church. If we are in town, not sick, and didn't attend a Saturday night service, we go to church. Pretty much always. My children seem alarmed and surprised by this. Every. Single. Week. Kid #1 planned ahead and was showered and ready at a reasonable time (evidently she learned from a devastating debacle a couple of weeks ago- and I learned that it takes time to get the "bumps" out of your ponytail, so give her fair warning). Her dear younger brother, however, alerted us to the fact that showering and church were not on his very busy six-year-old agenda... even on FATHER'S DAY! Cue the screaming and gnashing of teeth. We made it to church, but not without a detour. Okay, so it really wasn't a detour. It was an abrupt stop along the side of the highway during which Daddy informed the children that spitting water from their cups on each other was not okay and neither was complaining about having to stay in Lifekids (our children's church) while Mommy and Daddy served on the host team (Host Team: involves smiling and welcoming everyone as if our household didn't fight its way out the door this morning).
When we arrived at church, one of Grant's good buddies from school and his family were there visiting for the first time. GOD. BLESS. THEM. Seeing his friend, G seemed to turn his attitude around. Everything was peaches again. Fast forward an hour and forty-five minutes later. Daddy chooses our lunch spot, Freebirds (because, OH YEAH, It's FATHER'S DAY!!). Matt thought it would be quick, and allow us more play time at home. As you might be able to predict at this point, this was not somewhere G wanted to eat. Of course! Big sis wasn't on board at first, but when I reminded her of the day, she hopped on. After some nourishment, everyone seemed more even-keeled. Hallelujah!
We followed up our meal with a trip to Southern Ag to check out the leopard geckos because my little man has a birthday in just SIX DAYS! I guess I neglected to mention that the little guy seems to be having a bit of trouble giving Daddy a day when he has a birthday in just SIX DAYS! Did I mention that he has a birthday in just SIX DAYS? If I did, there is a little guy in my house who will be happy to share the news. Every hour or so.
What have we learned from today? Well, I think it has proven to reiterate what I decided a few Mother's Days ago. Lower the expectations. Every day is a gift, and we have two little blessings whom God entrusted to us EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. There are days when everything falls into place and we feel like Supermom and Superdad. And then there are the days when we find ourselves pulled over at the side of the road confiscating Tervis cups and we must remind ourselves that THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS. Just because it is Father's Day or Mother's Day doesn't mean that we get a break from parenting (Unless, of course, you are not around your children on said day. Six years ago, I informed Matt that the only thing I wanted for Mother's Day was an uninterrupted day of shopping. I spent five glorious hours away, bought only a pair of shoes, and returned ready to face another day of mothering my then three-year-old and 11 month-old.). I have learned that the kids didn't get the memo about not fighting on Father's Day. Neither did the dogs (I hear the puppy terrorizing her "big brother" as I write this). Someday we will laugh about this, right?!? Or at least pour a glass of wine, clink glasses, and congratulate ourselves on making it through another day.
Our pastor at Lifechurch.tv, Craig Groeschel, often speaks about how when God calls us to something, he often leaves out the details. Why? Because we simply couldn't handle them. We couldn't handle the raw, unfiltered truth of parenting, so He spoonfeeds us over time. Our two-year-olds test authority because... hold your horses, parents, the teen years are coming! And we just couldn't handle them. Yet.
The truth is that with God and my awesome husband, we will get through this. I am so utterly thankful that he asked me to that high school Homecoming dance almost 21 years ago. I can't imagine a better father for my children or a better-suited partner for this journey. I love him because he fought for me when we were apart in college, because he chooses to work from home to be near us, because he pulls the car over to discipline our kids when needed, and because he loves on them daily in words and deeds. He is an incredible example of integrity, perseverance, and love for our children. He works hard and he plays hard, and we love him to the moon.
Happy Worst Father's Day, honey! Here's to next year!
A bit more accurate pic of how the day unfolded
P.S. As I was getting ready to post this, our puppy chewed up one of Grant's new Keens (shoes) while Anna was supposed to be watching Fern. Anna was on her iPad. So long, iPad. Gotta love parenting. Did I mention that it's been raining all afternoon, as well????
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."
Psalm 127:3-5
