Picking up Toys for the 15 Time!?!?!

I have really been struggling lately with not spending enough time with the boys.  I am so tired and wore out by the time I get off work, my evening goes by so quick, I regret not spending the quality time with them like I feel I should be.  I have made it a point the last couple of weeks to plan a special activity with them each evening.  With Dr. Seuss' birthday being on March 2nd, it has helped a lot.  I picked out a story to read them every evening, planned an activity or art project to do with them as well as planned a Dr. Seuss birthday party and invited their friends.  Despite the weather, we still had seven kids and babies show up!  With that week being over, I feel much better about the time I did have with them; however, I still struggle with those little, extra moments such as feedings, diaper changes, car rides, etc.  Am I making the most of the moments I do have with them? Am I spending too much time on my phone while feeding?  Am I not making him smile and laugh while changing him enough?  I watch my husband with the boys and how he never seems to miss a moment to make them laugh. even if it's just changing his diaper.  I will go into the room when he is changing little man's diaper, and little man will be giggling and laughing.  He never seems to give up those small moments he does have with them in the afternoons. Today on my way to work I heard the song "Do Everything" by Steven Curtis Chapman on the radio.  It reminded me of the Bible verse I am constantly trying to teach my students.  "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Colossians 3:23  My challenge this season leading up to Easter is to make the most of all the moments I have with my children, not just adding special activities into our day, but focusing on those car rides, feedings, and diaper changes as well.  I want every minute of every day I have with my children to be worth it! I want them to know it is the small things that I will miss some day.  I will miss cleaning up spit up, changing diapers, giving baths, receiving smiles and hugs and kisses.  I will miss those words and sounds coming from the back seat.  I want to cherish these moments now and know I did all I could for my family because it does matter.  It matters to God! I pray that everything I do, I do %101 for the Lord!  God sees what we do, and I believe it really does put a smile on his face!  I want to love my children and husband like He loves me!

Do Everything
Steven Curtis Chapman

"You're picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today
Matching up socks
Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away

You put a baby on your hip
Color on your lips and head out the door

While I may not know you,
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?

Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

Maybe you're that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name

You may be hooking up mergers
Cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day

Little stuff
Big stuff
In between stuff
God sees it all the same

While I may not know you
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?

Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And everything you do

Maybe you're sitting in math class
Or maybe on a mission in the Congo
Or maybe you're working at the office
Singing along with the radio

Maybe you're dining at a 5-star
Or feeding orphans in the Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere that you are

Whatever you do
It all matters
So do what you do
Don't ever forget

To do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause He made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace

As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you
To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

In every little thing you do
In every little thing you do"