Early Risers

Have I ever mentioned that our kids get up early?

The people in our real life know this.

How DO people get their kids to sleep until 9am?

Or even 8am?

Or even 7am???

I know, you can teach your kids to look at the clock and stay in bed until those times. This worked for Josh until he had brothers. We are teaching David to wait quietly in bed until the clock hands are "up and down" (i.e. 6:00am). I would be so happy with 6:00 am...

It just doesn't work with this one...

Our kids are ALWAYS awake during the 5:00 hour. Sammy is usually first, and he usually wakes up David because he is LOUD. So I am up too. And how can I expect Josh to stay in bed after Sammy wakes him up too if I let his brothers get up?

The funny thing is that I am an early riser too. I am usually up before the kids. One would think that if I wake up this stinkin' early I would have some "me" time. Some quiet time with God. Sometimes I do have, like, 15 or 20 minutes.

I am writing this while Sammy talks to me. It is 5:45am right now. Perhaps I will have to finish this later.

Once in a while - like maybe twice a month - I get an hour. But during that hour, I just never know when a munchkin will wake up. So often it is just as I open my bible. This Mama doesn't spend much time reading the bible. Not much quiet time with the Lord here, no sirree. I figure He put these kids in our family, so this must be OK with Him in this season.

But sorry, Lord, I just don't feel obligated to play with these kids, or feed them, or even give them much attention until it is actually morning. It feels like I am rewarding uber-early rising when I do that.

OK, writing that out loud sounds so callous and unloving. Our Father loves me at all times of the day and night. He is there to comfort me whenever I call on Him.

On the other hand, children need sleep. When either D or J get up that early, they are grumpy and weepy and oh so sensitive. They need more sleep. S seems to do OK getting up uber-early, which makes no sense because you think the youngest would need the most sleep. Every kid is different... our kids are SO proof of that.

Aren't they beautiful when they sleep?

OK, now Sammy is showing me his spit bubbles. And laughing hysterically. Good thing he's so cute. Even this early in the morning.

(((hugs))),
chris


This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
                        ~ Joshua 1:9