The problem with announcing that, hey, I’m going to blog again, is the fact that, once said, one puts herself under a bit of a self-imposed obligation to, you know, actually blog again.
What she tends to forget, when writing said post of announcement, is that she does, in fact, have two young ones running wild with boundless energy through her hallways and she has to actually carve out time to sit down, laptop in lap, and think in complete sentences.
What I’m saying is that I’m a little rusty at this, so bear with me. You might read some posts full of absolutely nothing for a week or two. Just until I get my sea legs back.
Anyway.
Today is the kind of day that leaves a person ready for bed at 8:00.
8:00 AM.
Wait–I think I feel like that every day, don’t I? Eh, such is this thing we call motherhood.
It started sweetly… up early, devotions on the couch while John finished his across the room, coffee sipped from my favorite mug (yes, I’m just that sentimental) and then snuggles with Troy when he woke early. He started asking questions about Jesus and somehow we ended up talking about such weighty matters as salvation and, for the first time, I sensed he was really starting to grasp the basic concept of atonement. It was precious, and I was still floating on a mommyish cloud of “oh my word, that child is a gift from God to teach and what a responsibility and he’s so cute and I love him so much and he’s getting so big and soon he’ll really understand salvation and his little tender heart just melts me and…”
…and then we heard the earth shattering “MAMAAAAAAAA!!!!!!” of the toddler, awake now, in his crib, and READY to be whisked off for snuggle time in the big bed.
It was exactly 3.4 minutes before the first hitting or pushing or whatever it was took place and I tried to hold onto my calm while putting out the fire. It worked. Sort of.
Until 5.6 minutes later when the second altercation began, having something to do with who got to lay on Daddy’s pillow and who got to snuggle in Mommy’s right arm or something like that–hard to tell when the only one who can talk coherently is crying–and the calm? It was ready to take flight.
Come on, children. Mommy is feeling very serene and content and spiritual this morning. DO NOT RUIN IT, thankyouverymuch.
I’d like to report that from that point on, the day went off without a hitch. No more scuffles or strife. No bad attitudes, disrespectful tones or disobedience. And with a Mommy who retained every bit of that early morning quietness of heart.
I’d like to report such a thing, but the Bible says “Thou shalt not lie.”
Which might explain why I’m writing about nothingness rather than typing out one of those fifty five posts of actual substance written on the walls of my brain.
I sat down an hour ago intending to get some serious blog work done here. Write a post, wrap up a couple articles I’ve had sitting in the drafts for YLCF, catch up on email (oh, email, how I love and adore thee… until I neglect thee for a week or two, and then, oh email, how demanding thou becomest upon my attentions!) and maybe, just maybe, do some blog hopping, like in the old days.
(Side note: I’ve been visiting a new blog or two every day the past week–some of you lurkers and even sadly neglected faithful commenters, and I must say how much I love finding new people. I get a little giddy at the comments that start out saying, “I’m a long time lurker…” So come on, people, let me know you’re there. (An exemption, I guess, goes out all you church people hiding in the shadows. I already know you’re reading, even if the only way I find out is when you accidentally mention something I never actually told you face to face. HA! Caught red handed.) I heart lurkers.)
But, the only part of that list that was actually accomplished–if you could even call it that–is the writing of this pitiful excuse of a post. The problem? Facebook. I’ve been a long time Facebook hater. Or, more accurately, a Facebook lurker. (See? The lurking thing? A trend.) But somehow, in the past several weeks, I got sucked into the vortex. Slid down the slippery slope. Jumped off the cliff. Dove into the deep end.
Or not really. But, it is amazing the way that place can drain the time out of a person once you get used to short blips about your aunt’s cousin’s daughter’s friend’s sister-that-you-knew-from-preschool’s life. I’m sure there’s someone around here I could blame for my mindless meanderings into Facebook territory, but I’ll keep my suspicions to myself. And, next time, just tell myself the pictures and quizzes and who-knows-what-kind-of-aqua-farm-mafia-life can wait.
Because when there’s an hour free from the moment-by-moment sparring matches that come from having two boys (it’s mind boggling how quickly a simple hug can spontaneously combust into a wrestling match with boys–just imagine the scene when they’re teenagers) I think I should grab it by the horns.
Or, uh… the laptop.










Guilty as charged.
I found your blog right after your husband deployed and then lost it around the time he came back.
But then I found it again a couple months ago and I am glad I did.
Enjoy blogging again. :)
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I'm a long-time lurker. :) Came from ylcf a while ago…
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Your day sounds so much like every single one of my days. =) I'm glad your back. I'm pretty much a lurker, but I have commented from time to time. It is hard to leave comments when you have one muchkin tugging at your skirt and the other one nursing. =) Found you from Heather Y's blog.
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I'm one of those long time lurkers. Love your blog…one of my favs!
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hmm… I guess I'd have to say I'm a lurker too. Never thought of myself that way, but I have to admit your are on my feed. :) I found you through the YLCF, and I have been reading your blog for over a year now. Since I'm coming out of the lurkers closet now, I guess I'd better say while I'm at it how much your blog encourages me in my walk with the Lord. I have really appreciated being able to read your thoughts about serving the Lord through serving your family.
Thanks so much for allowing us to get peek into your heart!
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Love it! Love that you'll e back in whatever form "more regularly" takes! Found you a few days before John cam home and I've loved reading your voice ever since! It's fun reading about little boys when my world is all about keeping little girls from screaming at each other wiith voices only dogs should be able to hear! ;)
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Okay, I'll delurk:)
I love your blog. I found it through YLCF many moons ago and enjoy visiting.
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LOL!!! I just love your posts! You are so funny and "REAL" thats the best part!
Ginger~
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Great post! Your posts never fail to make me smile, no matter what they're about. Whether it's a sweet, sympathetic smile; laughing with you, smile; or encouraged, uplifted smile. Thank you! :)
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Your posts do always make me smile.
And as for Facebook, I do want to get one someday, esp. since a few close local friends have now jumped into it and it would be nice to keep up with them that way. Anyway, I would probably stick to just adding close friends and just lurking for others I know…but don't want them to necessarily know all about me! ;oP
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Well, since you asked…
I am a long-time lurker too. :) Your blog is encouraging, amusing, and real so I keep coming back to it. Glad you are going to try to return to a more regulare posting schedule. I am kinda hoping to do the same….we'll see. I totally agree about facebook, it is partially to blame for my lack of bloggity-ness lately as well.
Samantha
http://www.soonendinjoy.blogspot.com
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Hi!
Yeah, I've really enjoyed your blog! I've even left a comment now and then. Your frankness about every-day-life is…REAL.
Come visit our family blog. We're glad to have you!
Livy
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Ok, i am a long time lurker. I have commented on here a time or two. I love your blog, and have been praying for you and your family.
Chris in Iowa
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Not exactly a lurker. I post off and on with long periods in between sometimes. I come in and read whenever I have a new post.
Enjoy every moment of them being little. Even moments like this morning will be missed as they get older and no longer are fighting over who's being held by whom. :)
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Well, I think you know me ;) Been reading for years and commenting occasionally.
I do love your posts, Ash! So true, so full of wisdom and humor. They always make my day :)
I'm so glad you're writing again!!
Your boys are precious; so very precious!! When you write about them, it brings back memories of when I was younger and my siblings were much younger… babies!
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I only comment here and there but I think I've been reading your blog for a couple of years.
My trouble with fb is that I get sucked into it first thing in the morning. That whole "devotions on the couch before the kids are up" thing? I need to do that. Something tells me that would be a better start to my day than reading one liners about my elementary school friends' mornings…
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