Welcome! Nuestra Casa Es Su Casa ...Our house is your house

A glimpse into the life of Daniel and Jaynee Lockwood and their 12 precious blessings. Thank you for visiting; we pray that what we share here may always bring glory to our wonderful God and Saviour. May you praise the Lord with us for the great things He has done and continues to do as we serve Him sharing the gospel here in the little town of Cuidad Insurgentes, BCS Mexico. He alone is good and faithful!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

It is good to remember

Tonight I was especially thinking of all you mommies who have "a few" children. What is a few to some may be many to another. One, two, or three little ones...maybe four or five. As I was sitting in a pile of mega blocks, Lincoln logs, railroad tracks, staples, and spit up, I was remembering and thinking of you.
And while I have 8 chicken leg/thighs in one crock pot and a kilo of cooked pinto beans in the other all waiting to be assembled into a meal, I thought I'd first sit here for a few minutes to tell you what I remembered.
The past couple of days, I've had a couple of hours of having only a few children at home. Daniel's had to run some long errands in preparation for our Christmas service this Sunday and since we are officially on our "Christmas break", several of the children have gone along for the ride.
Daniel asked me to do a couple of things for him while he was gone and then suggested I take some time to catch up on emails or whatever else I needed to get done.
Tonight, I have 3 children here with me. How quiet the house seems! Although, 9 years ago, 3 little children running around didn't seem quiet to me :). Samuel is 9 months old now and last week got his very first tooth! And by his runny nose and fussiness the past few days, I think another one is working it's way through. He's here with me sitting on my lap right now as I type. Twenty month old Eliseo is going through Josiah's pencil cup and 6 year old Josiah is up working on something at his desk.
While I sat down with to work on emails this afternoon with thoughts of how quiet it was and thinking of how much I could accommplish knowing it would be 3 hours or so before Daniel came home, I soon realized something. Or I should say remembered something...I remembered those days when I only had a "few" little ones and it would be close to the time Daniel would be coming home from work and I would think, "He's going to think I didn't do anything all day!" Between feeding babies, cleaning toys and other messes, holding, playing, washing, chasing etc..., I would be so tired and seemed like I couldn't do much of anything for more than a few minutes without someone needing me. Now I have wonderful memories of those days and wouldn't trade them for anything...I was truly tired but truly very happy!! But I LOVED nap time when I felt like I could actually finish one task completely at one time :)
So with Samuel fussing all afternoon/evening, Eliseo filled with his bountiful energy exploring, squealing, and playing, and Josiah who only stayed home because he was a bit under the weather so needing/wanting extra time/hugs/water/toast/head rubs/back rubs/blankets etc... I soon found that not much on my "to do list" was getting done. In fact, it seemed I get more done on a "normal" afternoon.
With twelve children, there are many hands to help. Girls and boys both who love to hold Samuel or play with him when he's fussy and mommy needs to start supper; many eyes to help keep an eye on Eliseo or announce if he's about to go fishing in the potty or dump out something he shouldn't; always someone around who will help with the little things that really add up over a day...make a bottle, bring a diaper, tie a shoe, peel a potato, pick up some toys, etc...
Samuel finally settled down and I set Eliseo in the play room with a couple boxes of toys so I could get to the things Daniel wanted me to accomplish. Eliseo was very content to play and while he got into a couple extra boxes of toys and managed to sneak the stapler off my desk right under my nose, I was able to do a couple of things.
Knowing that Daniel will be home soon, I went to clean up the play room so I could then finish dinner. I sat down on the floor and made a game of sorting the toys into the boxes with Eliseo (of course, to him I think the game was one of "slam dunk" and it was never in the right box!). :) It was then I thought how long it has been since I have sat down like this to sort/clean toys. There is always a older brother or sister sitting along side the littler ones playing too and they clean up afterwards.
I thought of how often I have heard mommies say, "Oh, I only have 2 (or 3 or 4) little ones and I am so tired and haven't had a hot meal in 2 years. How do you manage with 12?"
And then I thought, "Yes, they do get older and and the days, while equally full and busy, do get easier in some ways." What good helpers you will soon have! I was also reminded of how often us mommies with many children get cut "a bit more slack" sometimes. So I just want to encourage you who have a few young ones right now. I remember very well :)
I was reminded to enjoy each season of life the Lord gives. I would type more, but there's a pile of 3x5 cards being carried around the house right now and still some chicken and beans to prepare. :)

22 comments:

  1. Thank you for your encouragement today. I hear often from my friends with many children that "it does get easier," but it was good to hear a few specifics about how it is actually easier. I am one of those moms with "a few" right now: a 3 1/2 year old, a 22 month old, and the third on the way in one more month! I found your blog through another friend's site and have often meant to write and thank you for something you wrote. My husband and I met on the mission field in North Africa and hope God calls us back there one day.

    Merry Christmas from Virginia Beach!
    Tiffany

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  2. Jaynee~ Thank you for sharing this. I just love reading "seasoned" mothers things like this. I know you were doing the same thing I am doing now and it is encouraging to see a mother who I see myself like one day too. Having four so close is challenging because they are younger and I do all the work. It will be a blessing as they grow to have some helpers but I enjoy this phase. My middle name is exhaustion for sure. I would love to know, did you give it to the Lord how many children you were having right off the bat or later in your marriage? It is so fun to see you guys. My husband and I are like....wow we will have that one day. A bunch of sweethearts all around us. I can not wait. Really I can not!!! Bless you!
    Jessica

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  3. Thank you so much for your words. You have blessed me with some much needed encouragement today. :) I always wonder if my husband comes home and thinks I have been lazy as my two toddlers tear apart the house faster than I can clean it. But you are right... the day will come when I will have great helpers. I'm already trying to teach them to help with some simple tasks and they are doing well.

    Thanks for your encouragement!

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  4. Have found the same here - when I am left with2 or 3 little ones at home, I am so much busier than when everyone is home. Not only do the older ones help, but the younger ones are more content to play when the older ones are around the house. When I am here alone with little ones, they want me every minute!
    I am learning to not expect to get lots of projects done when I am left with littlies - just plan on spending more time with them and using the time to train them to do jobs the older ones ususally do.
    Hope you had a little bit of break - even if you had to keep Eliseo out of the toilet all by yourself. :)

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  5. Boy, did I need this reminder tonight! Thank you, Mrs. Lockwood!

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  6. What a great "rememberer" you have :-) ~giggle~
    I couldn't agree with you more. We have so many extra hands to do all those needful little things. Today I was trying to get lunch on and had Granton under my care with absolutely no helpers. I too, was reminded of when it was just Garrett and I and how busy I was. 20 yrs later, I'm still busy just with helpers and so joyfully blessed!

    ~Cinnamon
    p.s thank you for praying for Gavin's surgery. He goes in at 9:40am (our time of course :-)

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  7. I felt busy with one. Then I felt busy with 2 then 3 etc. Now I feel busy with 9:)

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  8. What you say is so true. I only have six, but I couldn't have had the three younger ones without the help of the older ones. As they get older you have more and more hands to help with the younger ones. Thank you for your encouraging words! God bless you!

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  9. While it's good to hear "it gets better", I know a few years ago, when ever I heard that I would cry! A few years has changed a lot... now we have a 6, 5, 4, 2 1/2, 18mos, baby in heaven, and one due in April(all girls so far :-)! Days go much better now then when I had a 2y/o, 14 mos, and newborn!! Thanks for the reminder.

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  10. Great post Jaynee. I, too find my days easier with the older ones around to help out. When we were expecting #9(which I miscarried) many people commented on how busy I would be. I said that I was busier with 6 ages 7 and under than I am now. Now I am in supervisor mode, not primary cleaner-upper :).

    Cindy

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  11. Thank you. I needed this today. My "few" are a 4-year-old boy, a 2-year-old boy, and an 8-month-old girl. My baby girl just learned to crawl and cruise, and I am having to go back to the "chasing" mindset, and constantly watching for chocking hazards. I'm so very tired of winter already- the hats, coats, and boots that can't get put on by themselves and the constant struggle to get out the door. I was so very tired after taking the three of them to a party today- and your post was uplifting! So thank you. More self-sufficient days are on the way and I need to remember that,

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  12. thanks for that - it rang to this mama's ears with my 4 1/2 yr old, 2 1/2 yr old, 1 yr old and a little one on the way. thanks for the reminder to enjoy this season. I often look forward to having more help as they grow but know it will go by quickly.

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  13. I have never commented before, but I love your blog! I am a mom to children 4, 3, 2, 1, plus another one on the way. Thank you for writing this--it is so nice to hear from a mom of many! I admire you greatly, and would love to get better acquainted someday! :)

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  14. As we are expecting #5 in just a few days, I can completely relate to all you have said. We have told people lately that it will be easier to have "just" 5 now because we have so many hands to help (9,8,6,4) then it was when the three oldest were 3,2 and newborn. THAT was tough...THIS is just another new lesson for my girls to learn to be wives and mothers! They have been learning to work around the house and in the kitchen...NOW they will also be learning how to care for a baby AND take care of the house and my son will be learning how to protect another sister. How gracious of the Lord to choose when the right time would be for them to learn these lessons! We pray He will continue to add to our numbers but will be content if this is our last one (we lost our last four babies). Thank you for sharing all of your joys and struggles with those of us with "small" families!! ;-D Blessings to your family and we pray you have a very Merry and Joyous Christmas!

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  15. Happy Birthday to the Bullfrog!!! I was looking through a notebook this morning, ran across my list of all your birthdates, and whaddayaknow? Mr. Nehemiah turned...three?....yesterday. :) I hope it was fun!

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  16. I just wanted to thank you for your blog. You are an encouragment to so many, including me. Your family is so sweet and your blog is truly one of my favorites.
    Merry Christmas!!
    Holli

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  17. Hi there, I'm Lydia! A lady found my blog and shared the link to your blog with me! I'm 16, but Ihope to have many children someday (my goal: 18..lol :)). Anyway, I'm soo encouraged by your posts. I do commend you for your ministry! I'm a Christian too and I am really blessed by your testimony! I would love if you checked out my blog: http://visionsofmercy.blogspot.com. I know you have a busy day schedule, but if you find a small moment, I'd really like it :)

    Thanks for posting! and i'm looking forward to following the rest :)

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  18. My first son is mildly autistic and is 9 so he is a lot of work for me. He has rage issues and the like. :( it puts a lot of stress on our family and the other 5 children. Nevertheless, we love him to death just the same even though he keeps me running. LOL. I have 6 kids close together under 9 but I appreciate the times when they help me with a little one, get a diaper that I forgot to grab, etc. I love having kids. Just feels like a busy, busy stage! :D

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  19. Thank you so much! God spoke to me through this post. I have a 10 month old and another one on the way in 4 months. My husband just had his gallbladder removed last week and I have found myself awake at night crying from exhaustion and wondering how am I going to do it all with two babies?! It has also been a wonderful reminder how much my husband does around the house. Merry Christmas and God Bless!

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  20. thank you for this post! It's a big encouragement to me right now. I'm a mommy to a 'few'(3,2,9m), so this is good news to me!

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  21. When I had my triplets, my eldest was just 5 and the second 2,5.
    I clearly did not want to make "helpers" out of my kids. I wanted them just to be "children"...
    People used to ask my oldest one "and you must be mum's big helper!"
    And she used to answer "no".
    But don't miss understand me, they all got to help in the house getting older, sharing chores, learning to do their share. Now as adults they share the "work" of festivities when they come to visit... it is very nice for the mother... Because putting on age... we are more and more tired!

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  22. Jesus spoke through you tonight and I am so thankful! We have 4 blessings here on Earth and one with Jesus--I visit often for uplift, encourgement, joy and peace.

    Thank you for your honesty and commitment to the LORD. It radiates through your writing.

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