Over the last month, I have learned some new things about myself. Well, let me re-phrase. I haven't learned new things, I have just learned how my characteristics can have a negative effect. I am a control freak and it may be causing me some problems. I apparently don't like things to be disorderly. I have trouble thinking clearly when my house is not kept in a certain order. People do things differently than me and perhaps that is ok. Although we are called to be hospitable, it's hard.
Keeping a clean and orderly house is ok. There are many reasons that a neat house makes sense. I want my children to know the value of taking care of the things that God has given to us. For sanitary reasons alone a clean house is important. Do my canned foods have to be organized by likeness? I don't think so. Do my pots and pans have to have their handles pointing in the same direction? Probably not. Do all of my glasses have to line up a certain way? No. Does it matter if the kids cups and plates are color coordinated? Of course it doesn't. But do I fret over these things. Sadly, yes. I guess it is possible that I may be a little OCD. I certainly do not mean to make light of such a disorder because I know people truly struggle with this. It interferes with their ability to lead a normal life is some cases. I used to tease that me being OCD was a gift not a diagnosis. But over the last month, I have learned that having a clean house has become a source of pride.....to the point of having physical ailments. I already kind of knew this from a lesson I learned last year, but this time God made it abundantly clear. I stress over the things that simply are not that big of a deal. Stress causes physical problems.
I have had the wonderful opportunity to have my in-laws stay with us over the last month as they were waiting for their house to be ready to move into. They just moved here from Nevada and Beau and I are so excited to have family live here in town with us. What a blessing it is to have family near. We have missed that for the last 3+ years. We love Ben and Katie and their little munchkin, Myla. They are a neat family and I personally have learned so much from Katie. She is a kindergarten teacher, a healthy eater, and a wonderful mom to Myla. Apparantly there are different ways to fold a towel that are more space saving and efficient than how I have been doing it for years. Who knew? And, I learned a new faster way to poach eggs. But more than that, she's a pretty fun girl to hang out with. Although she describes herself as quirky, I find her endearing. Prior to this past month, my interactions with Katie have been sparse so I haven't had the opportunity to really get to know her.
When you share your home with 2 additional adults, a baby, and 2 dogs to your already large family with a chaotic schedule, changes have to be made. Both families have to make concessions, be flexible, be tolerant, adjust lifestyles, and simply be patient. My boys fell instantly in love with Myla. I truly believed that after a few days, their enthusiasm would wane, but each day was filled with a new excitment for their sweet cousin. Although they were never rough with Myla, they never understood the law of "boundaries". Poor Myla had 3 little faces within inches of her own face for 30 days. But only when she was awake. LOL
My boys had never had any experience with dogs either. Because Beau is allergic to pet dander, Ben and Katie out of courtesy, kept their dogs on the back porch. Dogs and running loud boys who like to taunt dogs didn't work very well. My youngest, especially, liked to run up to the porch and tease the dogs. This, of course, would cause the dogs to bark. Those poor dogs. In the end, even after 30 days, the dogs did not like Carter. In fact, they growled at him even when Carter was just walking by and acting appropriately. I know Rosco and Teddy are happy to be back in the house now as Ben and Katie just moved this week into their new property.
I had the opportunity to love on my niece. It was awesome having a baby girl in the house. That was a new experience for me and one that I loved. Myla has a huge smile, loves to study situations, and has a calm pesonality. And she's BEAUTIFUL. Did I mention she's a girl? Finally, a little more estrogen in the house. Woohoo. God may have never given me a girl to raise, but I have a little niece in town that I can love on.
During their time here, Katie worked one on one with my kids. They made play-doh together. They practiced writing sentences and sight words together, and Carter worked on his name with Katie. She taught me some new strategies to try with Carter as he has trouble focusing. I never saw her in the classroom, but I can only guess she is probably one of the best kindergarten teachers out there. How lucky New Hampshire will be to have her on their teaching staff.
Ben and Katie helped us get ready for our home study last week. She helped me clean the house. In fact, she finished almost the entire first floor for me so I could focus on other tasks. She and I worked well together. They were great house guests and I feel that I benefited from their stay.
Now that the 30 days are gone and they have moved out, I am finding myself already missing having them here. I know they are happy to get settled down in their new home and begin making new memories here in New Hampshire and I am happy to have full use of the bedrooms once again, but I have learned some valuable lessons. Family is important. Eternal things matter. Temporal things can get taken care of when time allows. Seizing every teachable moment is essential. Now I not only have a sister in law, but now I have a friend.
Ben and Katie, thank you for your patience, generosity, friendship, and support. We love you guys and we're so glad you are here.
