Help.

{Okay, just a warning. I’m pretty sappy and probably a bit hormonal right now so lots of personal ramblings lately and ‘thoughts’. Hope that is okay. If not, just ignore this post and move on!}

A lot of people keep asking me if I am going to hire help when the new baby comes … how am I going to handle ‘it all’, etc or if this is ‘my last’?

And maybe I’m crazy. Maybe I’m living in a slightly-dreamy fairy world, but I think everything will be fine. We’ve been working so hard on homeschooling that we’re almost done and will be over the majority of it by the time the baby comes … and then it’ll be summer … and the girls and I will be spending a LOT of down time together … and THAT, that, I can handle.

Yes, there will be things that will be busier than normal.

The laundry. No fun.
The floors. So annoyingly dirty with all those bare feet.
The dinners that need planning. And cleaning up afterwards. {Why DO I make rice?! Someone slap me!!}
The outings that will have to be more routinely planned. {And praying we get our a/c fixed on the suburban before the heat comes!}

… but really, this is what I signed up for and this is what I feel so blessed to have! If we look at our tasks of being a mom, washing floors, doing laundry, grocery shopping (Oh, it sounds so glorious, doesn’t it?!) as annoying-to-dos, our attitude will reflect that. I’m not saying I will have joy in every single moment of every single day … I will get tired… I will be exhausted and I will probably want to die around the third month of sleepless nights (Is that not the hardest part? Off the babymoon, and into to the depths of exhaustion?!) … but …it will be fine. 🙂

Today, after coming home from a long dance practice with the girls, I was feeling very tired, had to make dinner for the girls before they left from their Awana club, had to clean up, find the backpacks etc. and I looked into the other room and saw Lacey, in all our eight year old maturity, sitting, rocking Lovelyn (who had missed her nap because we were at the dance practice and was very tired and crabby when we arrived home) and stroking her hair ever so gently, slowly putting her to sleep.

It was so precious. So precious.

It made my heart go pitter-patter.

I hadn’t asked Lacey to help with Lovelyn and we all know little 18 month olds are not exactly the happiest right before dinner (aka. the witching hour). It just completely blessed me to see Lacey step up to the situation and care for Lovelyn in such a motherly way.

It doesn’t matter that my laundry is still on the line (to be fair, it’s the fourth load today!) and that it’s supposed to rain tomorrow (yes, I plan on getting it off the line – eventually). I am grateful.

“Motherhood is a calling, a privilege, and a gift.

It is our legacy. It is what we embrace and pour ourselves into.
It is not burdensome.
It is not an onerous list of unending tasks to complete. It is not some half-hearted thing we do on the side of other things.

Motherhood is a most powerful and significant calling.
We have the opportunity to be in a loving relationship with a precious one-of-a- kind creation from the very hand of God Himself.
We are granted guardianship, friendship and mentorship with an eternal soul whom we have the joy of sharing all of life with.
It is the most amazing thing! What could be a better use of our time? How can it ever be thought of as less than what it truly is?
To be in relationship with our children and grandchildren throughout our lives with the ability to love and minister to them is absolutely the best of all opportunities.”

-Above Rubies

April 24, 2012 - 10:25 pm

Carrie After a busy day and only getting to spend a couple of hours in the evening with my boys (and ofcourse they didn’t fully cooperate, but for a 5 and 2 year old, they did pretty good) I sat down and read your blog, Help.
It reminded me to take a breath and enjoy my babies, they won’t be babies forever. There is always cleaning, laundry and dishes to do but my babes need hugs and kisses! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!! Congrats on your newest baby girl!

April 15, 2012 - 9:07 am

Monica Hi Gillian,
I just wanted to encorage you by saying that you are absolutely right not to worry and everything will be fine. You have the lord and you need to continue to trust in him for all things. Continue to recieve this blessing with a glad heart 🙂

April 14, 2012 - 9:28 am

Sherri Smith Very touching Gillian. Your girls all have a loving, caring heart, and that will certainly be a great help to you in the coming years. Enjoy them. xo

April 14, 2012 - 9:09 am

Kari That made me cry. That’s so awesome and when u have ur kids do things for u unexpectly it is the most amazing feeling ever

April 14, 2012 - 8:49 am

marcia you are an AMAZING mother and it shows in how amazing your girls are! you have created a loving, nurturing home filled with so much fun, joy and (pink) positivity! your girls (and baby-to-be) are the luckiest kids in the world! you are an inspiration to all mothers.

April 14, 2012 - 8:42 am

Grandma Gerr Yes, Dear sweet Lacey! What a wonderful, loving, sensitive child! <3

April 14, 2012 - 8:36 am

Sam I love when you post “personal” posts Gillian! You are an inspiration to people and God certainly uses your insights and stories to bless us. Please continue to share your heart because it is a gem! All the best with your home delivery..praying everything goes great for you!

April 14, 2012 - 7:43 am

Terri-Ann I’m expecting number 4, and people often comment about how crazy life must be. But honestly, I think 2 was the hardest, when a newborn and a toddler both need you and there’s no one but you to fulfill what they need. Once the oldest is 4 or 5 years old, it’s amazing how much easier it makes things! My oldest is now 6, and can entertain his brothers, make breakfast and lunch, oversee a tidy up, answer the phone, and get ready for school on his own. Just like you wrote about your daughter jumping in to help – it’s amazing how much easier things get as your oldest children get older and we help them learn what it is to help out as part of a family. You’re doing a fantastic job!