Stephen left this morning for a quick work trip back to Minneapolis, leaving me solo with all 7 kids. Everything was going fine (thanks to awesome friends at church) until I started feeling not so great. Like I stayed in bed all afternoon until I remembered the miracle that is ibuprofen. Anyhow, Elise took care of the little kids while I rested, but also while I rested I had a chance to talk with almost all of them.
Elise brought me lunch and we talked about summer plans--things she wants to do and things I want her to do. Trevor came in after playing in the water and told me all about it (until I realized that he wasn't wearing anything under his towel!). Lincoln talked with me about today's primary class--he loves to talk. We all read scriptures and prayed together. I "tucked in" Lincoln and Trevor from my rocking chair, first praying with them, then rubbing their backs while they stood next to me, leaning against my shoulder while I sang "Army of Helaman". They asked what the song meant, so I reminded them of the story and how the song reminds of to be obedient and faithful to what is right.
Ezra has been fussy tonight, so Elise and I took turns helping him, but finally, finally he slept during scriptures. I tucked Ruthie in, reading a book, singing "I'm Trying to be like Jesus" and kneeling by her little bed and praying with her.
The table is covered in breakfast, lunch and dinner mess, the sink is full of dirty dishes, the dishwasher full of clean dishes. But as my mom's poem (which Ruthie has me read every time I put her to bed) says,
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow...
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep...
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.
