A Long Week At Home

This week I am a single dad. My wife is away, helping her parents with some matters, and so the responsibility for our children and home fall to me. Am I up to the task?

I took the week off work, and there has not yet been a day in which I can readily manage my time, our time. My regard for the Mrs. has always been high, it has now elevated to reverance. How she does what she does in the home is truly astounding!

Things have gone smoothly, although there have been some emotional moments (hey, we have two teens and one teen wannabe, so that is to be expected!). I've kept up with orthodontist and schooling and church activities. The meals have been made on time. The naps for Little Man have been daily.

I'll admit to being tired, due to the youngest not sleeping at night. He has been up 3-6 times each night, and that doesn't allow me to feel very rested. Lower sleep levels invariably lead to lower levels of control, and higher probabilities of anger. Lord, give me grace?

I began the week thinking I'd surprise my wife, and have a number of overdue home projects completed upon her return. There's that sink needing replacement, the paper pile on my desk, the cleaning that she'd like to see done downstairs, the front storm door is showing its age, and more. Hey, I can do that while the kids are occupied with...(fill in the blank).

My optimism, however, has now collided with reality. Get them up, "do" school, feed 'em, drive them to various appointments, make phone calls and more. THAT is what I am doing this week. If lucky, we'll maybe get one of

Today I did get ambitious! Cleaned out the bathroom a bit. Found 12 extra toothbrushes hidden on the shelves...how in the world can a family of eight have so many partiallly used toothbrushes lying around? Sigh. Smile. Gotta love living large! And what a sense of purpose I have now.

Truhtfully, I can't wait to get back to work...where order and some level of accomplishment awaits me. For now, I thank the Lord for my dear wife, praise her for her stupendous work with the children and in the home, and look forward - eagerly - to her return in a few days.