The Woman With You

I'm nesting.  No surprise there since I'm 34 weeks!  I'd say it's about time!  Too bad that nesting phase doesn't happen a bit earlier.  The kids and I accomplished quite a bit around the house yesterday and my whole body ached by bedtime.  I finally decided to take a bubble bath, hoping the warm water and soft tunes of Kenny Chesney would soothe my swollen and aching joints and limbs.  The only thing missing was something cold and fruity to drink.  ;)

As I searched through Kenny's songs on his MySpace player, I came across one I haven't heard in a while....The Woman With You.  I've heard this song a hundred times, I think I even have the CD.  However, this time it hit me in a completely different way.  I could really relate to the lyrics......

Been gopherin', chaufferin', company chairmen.
Coffee maker, copy repairman.
Anymore there ain't nothin' I swear man that I don't do.
Been juggling, struggling, closing big deals.
Dancing backwards in high heels.
Just when it feels like I can't make it through.
She said it sure is nice to just be the woman with you

As a homeschooling mother to 9 children (almost 11), I'm definitely the gopher, the chauffer and chairmen of our home while Daddy is away working.  Instead of coffee, I fill up cups with water, milk and/or juice constantly and cook meals.  I repair toys, bikes, games and kiss gently boo-boos that sting and hurt.  I juggle the older kids with the younger ones and really struggle on days when nothing seems to go right and no one seems to listen and obey.  Closing big deals means finding books, toys and kid clothing at reasonable prices and then settling sibling arguments that arise throughout the day.  I'm not going to lie.  Taking care of 9 kids all day every day with hardly a break is not easy.  It's not impossible, but there are days giving up and crawling back to bed seems the only reasonable option.  

Then, Daddy returns home and all is forgotten.  His return home is probably the most exciting part of our day.  There are days I don't know who is more excited to see him...me or the kids?  I love him with my whole heart.  After almost 16 years, he can still make my heart pitter patter with just one glance.  After all the kids are tucked into bed, we snuggle every night on the couch watching TV, reading or simply talking about the day's events before going to bed together.  We stay connected and close this way and I don't know that setting apart each night for one another was ever intentional, but just sort of became routine as God blessed us with one baby after another.  I do know our mutual growth in Christ is a large part of who we are as a married couple, even as a family.  I am thankful to God every day for the love He has for us and for our family and for the opportunity He gives us each new day to mirror that love within our family.  What a huge blessing!  I pray all married couples and their families may have this same love and devotion to one another as shown within the Blessed Trinity.