Being Careful and Making Plans.....

       With a tiny little one in an action packed house, I find myself trying to be extra careful not to leave her unattended. Even in those perfectly safe places like cribs or a bouncy seat the common dangers of flying super heroes, dancing ballerinas and airborne sippy cups seem to find her.  I even call upon my oldest children to sit in the room with her if I have to walk out so that any other loving, kind and helpful children that happen by will not be overcome with temptation to play with this new, live baby doll.  However, even my best laid plans always seem to have hiccups.  Whether it be the phone ringing in my teenage daughters pocket or the army of boys shooting each other with darts (Nerf) there is always a distraction to cause the babysitters to leave the room and the baby is left all alone and unsuspecting. Even those safety belts on the swing cannot keep her down.
       I try not to panic when I find a pile of blankets where the baby once sat or a trail of cracker crumbs leading through the open gate and up the stairs and no baby or toddler in sight. Abby, Sammy, Katie, Noah?  Where are you? Where is Emma (2 mo.)?  Where is Lily (18 mo.)?  What are you doing?  How could I miss this? I was only out of the room for 2 minutes....2 MINUTES! Where is Eve and Jack?  I thought they were watching! What is a mom to do?  Well, I can honestly say that i am not one to panic or worry much, but it does test my patience.  Should I be upset about what could have happened or be grateful that nothing did? 
       No matter how careful I am or how well planned things are there is usually something I miss or that goes wrong on my watch (the 24/7 watch). Sometimes I wish I had an extra set of eyes or arms then nothing would ever happen, right? But placing my trust in physical things like my own strengths or my older children doesn't work. I need something better, more than myself.  The one thing that i forget amidst all the chaos is that I already have that in Christ. He's my one hope, my protector and the one who lifts me up. He's there. Watching over my children and giving me wisdom, understanding and patience to handle whatever comes. He's the only one in whom I can place my trust. Thank God He is watching when I cannot, listening when I am not and Willing when I will not.

                                              (Proverbs 3:5-6)
                              Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
                              Lean not on your own understanding;
                                 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
                                  and He will direct your paths




So, I put Emma in her bouncy seat and buckled her in so I could run downstairs to start a load of laundry. When I returned a few minutes later I saw this..... I did not even realize it was NOT a doll in the doll stroller until I rounded the corner and saw the bouncy seat empty!  Luckily, this was not one of the most dangerous things my girls have done with their sister.  This was actually cute and Emma seemed to enjoy it.  They even remembered to buckle her in! 

 This is Noah sleeping on the living room floor. After destroying the couch and throwing the toys everywhere (he was just playing) he stepped on something and wanted a bandaid.  By the time I got back with the bandaid, about 5 minutes later, this is what I found.  That is what I like to find after leaving children alone in a room for a minute!!