Family Business

The truth is, joy bubbles up in moments you don't see coming.  It overflows in giggles at the kitchen table, cascading to the floor along with Cheerios.  In hug-attacks that end in a heap on the floor with slobber-kissed cheeks.  In emphatically shared rambling stories filled with indecipherable words. In glances exchanged across carseats, secrets transmitted in silent brother-understanding and followed by snorts and guffaws.

The truth is, hectic is always only one half-step to the left.  All can be clipping along as carefree as can be and then.  Then someone bolts in the mall.  Then someone absolutely without a doubt most certainly must have a bottle this instant.  Then someone's sock feels funny and he crumples to the ground with inconsolable shrieks.  Then something explodes.  Then someone explodes.  Or multiple thens happen at once and hectic becomes overwhelming - which is only a quarter-step farther than hectic.  

The truth is, family is a delicate balance of highs and lows and living them together.  Ofttimes the highs are gloriously high and the lows cavernously low.  And the strong emotions that accompany them are not always worn well or expressed graciously by anyone, let alone the preschooler/toddler/baby crowd.  

The truth is, sometimes being at home all day with three littles gets monotonous.  Sometimes heading out feels like so much work.  Sometimes there are too many load of laundry, too many dishes, too many time-outs, too many hours until naps, and too many 'why?' questions.  

But there's more to it than you can see from the outside.

The truth is, we are cultivating an atmosphere where three vastly differing children all feel loved and safe.  Where their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met.  Where they are growing into people who have a greater understanding of how to deal with their emotions, how to be a friend, how to respect authority, how to be responsible and independent.  Where they are exposed to new activities, ideas, and opportunities so they can figure out who they are.  Where they can ask and explore big questions with people they trust.