Ping Pong

Do you ever play ping pong? My parent's have a ping pong table. We played growing up and still do occasionally on holidays. I have always enjoyed the game. One of these days I want to get a ping pong table for Jeremy. He is really good at it!

These days I feel like I am playing ping pong! I literally bounce back and forth from one kiddo to the other, and occasionally bounce to getting a household project done.

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Ping: Mitch wakes up, eats, gets dressed

Pong: Marlene QUICKLY jumps in the shower and gets ready

Ping: Jack gets up, dressed and eats breakfast

Pong: I may or may not get breakfast dishes done

Ping: Mitch needs cuddling

Pong: Jack is now about to climb onto the oversized chair with cream cheese or peanut butter all over his fingers - Alas, a wet paper towel and mad dash towards him becomes imminent
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Sometimes during the day, especially at about 5pm, I feel like I am playing "Round Robin" all by myself - running round and round trying to keep the ball on the table! The funniest part is that this is generally when Jeremy calls to tell me that he is on his way home. Usually in the background he hears one child crying, one child now loudly begging me to play, and my stressed voice because while these boys are both vying for my attention I am trying to prepare dinner for our family. I try to reassure him that this "Round Robin" only occurs for about 45 minutes of the day. The rest of the day is pretty normal and relaxed.

There are a lot of needs that a wife and mother does her best to meet. Needs of her husband, of her children and of her household. On top of all of that there are also the needs of extended family and friends. It is a lot of pressure - and some days I am sure I am slowly going crazy.

I know that these "Round Robin" moments won't last forever. They are hard sometimes - but just part of life. I do want to try to make it less stressful for Jeremy to come home to though. I can't imagine that his day is very easy and I am sure he doesn't want to have chaos when he comes in the door. Maybe more slow-cooker meals would help!! ;)

Here is an example of some real ping-pong playing that is highly regarded, worthwhile, and obedient:

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31: 10-31