Isaiah 40: 29-31  (The Lord) gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall: but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar and on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

I opened my devotions this am to read this. It also explained, the world we live in, weakness is often pitied.  It talked about how much money and time is spent on strengthening bodies and buying stimulants to avoid/mask weariness.  Weakness and weariness are part of life.  Part of this fallen world we live in. 

Once again it's what I needed to start my week.  This past week took it's toll on me.  The end of harvest is nearing and all parties involved are feeling it.  We get sick of being on our best behavior and we all act out (I'm not just talking about the kids.  Steve and I are to blame too :)  We feel we have to paint on the smile and say, "this is great, we are fine."  In the end, we are fine!  But, I believe, it's ok to tell these kids, mama's tired.  5 of them going 5 different directions.  1 of me.  They all seemed to get it and we re-grouped.  My question is, why do we look at other means for help?  God is the only one who can cure our weariness.  He will pick us up and carry us through.  All the coffee in the world can't do that :) 

 

Here are a couple of pics of the girls trick or treating.  So much fun with great grandpa and grandma.  We made our family rounds, and then  Saturday night we did trunk or treating with church.  Candy candy and more candy.  Our sitter asked what our rule is on candy.  How many pieces the kids can have?   That question has stuck with me.  An organized mom would have a plan.  But this is me :)  I have a child that ate a candy bar so fast she puked.  She's never done that again.  I just figure when all the good candy's gone they'll stop.  Or they'll get sick.  So far, so good.  



Pet peeve!  NO ONE listens to me!  Why do I speak?  I'm not always sure if I talk to the wrong kid.  Like maybe I told Ashley something and I thought I told Megan.  That's a possibility.  Maybe I said something in my head and the words never came out of my mouth.  Or maybe, my children tune me out.  I'm guilty of tuning out as well.  My remedy.  I stopped talking.  I wrote notes.  I read them to the twins and they are in compliance thus far.  We'll see how long this last. 

And the twins...........they showed their daddy their note about the father/daughter night.  His response was, I probably have to work but we'll see.  The twins didn't really take that for answer.  But we don't really have another answer.  If the weather is right Steve has to work.  You can't just stop farming for an hour.  It's a system, and if one part stops, the whole system is broken.  For the rest of us Koeman's, we completely understand.  The twins have been baby'd by their father for 5 years.  Daddy says "yes" a lot!  He still rocks them to sleep if he can.  So them begging him is comical to me.  Lucky for me Grandpa Blueberry came home from Florida. (or lucky for the twins uncle's I was going to start bugging :) So they talked to him.  He said, "you girls see how the weather is Thursday.  If your dad can't go, you call me and I'll take you."  They are ESTATIC! It's fun to see them so excited.  I told the girls I'd take them.  They said, "it says in the notes NO MOMS!"  Yup that was true.  So I told them I'd dress up like a man and take them.  It'd be like Halloween.  They didn't think that was funny either :)  So, we have a plan.  Please, don't think bad of my amazing husband.  This is farming life.  We are aware and it's completely ok.  He works these crazy hours a few months out the year and the rest of the year, he doesn't have to miss a thing (he even gets to stay home with them when they are sick, that's his favorite hehe).
Have a blessed day!  When you grow weary look to the One who can carry us through.  (and a nap never hurts either :)