Snow days

These snowy winter days have brought itchy dry skin, colds, and the love of all soups bubbling and hot. I am trying to find balance between eldest child's packed ballet rehearsal schedule and classes and using the time I have with the younger ones wisely. It's so funny how quiet the house is when even one child is gone.

Our family dynamics has changed as the children are growing. Earlier this week, my five year old woke up and bellowed down the laundry shoot and every room in search for his dad so he could play soccer with him.  And today, my little two year old who loves playing with her older siblings came looking for me for her last nursing session before sleeping while her older siblings were teaching chess to my husband totally past their bedtime. Our days include trying to make a conscious effort to not be too loud while daddy is sleeping (he works nights), the girls practicing their instruments, clearing the table and sweeping the floor only when I remind them, working on birthday productions (this week they're working on the older two's birthday party preparations), having and reluctantly resolving heated sibling squabbles, teaching their younger brother when they feel the whim, while I try to have a handle over the never-ending dishes and laundry and still guide some structured learning. (We're enjoying The Mystery of the Periodic Table and 초단비 예비 초등 these days.)  But every night, when I see my sleeping children, I say to myself how blessed I am to have this life, and to have them near me.  Every night, I surrender them to God and pray that he may have mercy on them. I wish I could protect them from everything evil and wrong in the world, but I can't. I can only attempt to nurture an environment for the Holy Spirit to move in their hearts. And pray that they may live, not for themselves, but for God's glory.