Sleep ...

My life right now seems to revolve around sleeping:

I count the hours Miriam sleeps at night and track the time ... I worry about my husband getting enough sleep & his sleep not being interrupted because he has long days at work ... I push my older 2 children to get to sleep because they go in to school extra early with Dan each morning now and sometimes have trouble waking up. I count how many hours of sleep I am getting (6-8 hours per night, interrupted, of course) and hope it is enough to keep myself functioning and from not getting sick or worn down.



The only one who has no trouble with sleep is Miriam: She can sleep anywhere ... any time. And in fact, I'm surprised she still sleeps SO MUCH. I keep waiting for the days when she is awake for longer periods of time and is more active. I'm trying to take advantage of these long periods of her sleep while I can - trying to get caught up on housework and paperwork and reading and of course blogging :)

I have come to accept that I will only be getting very small projects done over a very long period of time ... but small steps will get it done eventually. I've decided that if I can keep up with laundry, dishes, meals, and bathrooms, I'm doing very good at this point. And most of all keeping up with my kids - and keeping this little girl HAPPY:

Sometimes I feel a little selfish that I'm no longer working in a ministry with my husband (aside from some accounting work at home); I know I've isolated myself a little, and I'm lonely occasionally - but I am never bored at home, that's for sure. My family is my ministry right now - and knowing of so many families who are struggling with sad situations and who are dealing with seemingly insurmountable problems, I am thankful that I can focus on giving my own a safe, calm place to rest (usually!) when they come home from work and school and dealing with difficult situations or people sometimes. We aren't a perfect family - and I certainly am not the best mother or wife, but I am hopeful to be better than I was. I am thankful for one more chance to be in this position of being sheltered from the burdens of ministry (missing the joys of the ministry though!) - and just being able to take care of those who are the easiest to take care of - my own family. God has certainly given me a great gift - not just Miriam - but a position I thought I'd never get to do over again: focusing on being a wife and mother. He is the God of second chances!