What's a mother to do?

"How do you have enough energy to keep up with all of them?" I've been asked.

"You are braver than me," I was told when I had the four littles at Wal-Mart grocery shopping.

I like to tell people, "God gives me just enough energy to do what needs to be done." I am NOT by nature a person loaded with energy. But, I do work well under pressure.

I have learned since beginning my parenting journey 24 years ago...that life is short. They grow up too soon. Enjoy them while they are little. It is okay if someone drops by when the house is a mess. You will never catch up on laundry.

 Food eaten after being dropped on the floor or the ground does not ususally make a child sick. Panty liners can bring out much creativity. (Click here if you've forgotten that story.)

I know that four children will enjoy sleeping on the floor in an executive suite room more than sleeping in their own beds. I have learned that memories are made from simple moments...like running through mud puddles. I know the sweetest hugs often come early in the morning, and cookies can sometimes make the best breakfast.

And, today I learned that playing the Wii is an activity that can NOT be postponed. Josie-Tatum, the ever motherly 9-year-old, assisted her brothers out of the bathtub while I was cooking supper. I knew the girls had been playing the Wii and soon heard the boys taking over the game.

After turning the burner down to low so our nutritious Hamburger Helper could simmer, I decided I wanted to watch the boys play. The squeals of laughter were calling me. So, what's a mother to do when she sees what I saw?

Why, take a picture, of course!!!!

Oh, how hard I laughed when I walked through the doorway. We must not postpone the opportunity to play a game just to put on clothing!!!

The other lesson I learned, "Perhaps a 9-year-old daughter is not quite ready to supervise the ending of bathtime."

(I also learned about www.drpic.com . There you can upload and edit photos....including adding the blur effect to a portion of the photo. This information will come in handy the next time I interview a person in the protective witness program.)