It has become more apparent with each trip back to Wisconsin how different yet the same our life is right now compared to before our seminary journey began. I know, I know, you can't have something be the same and different all at once. Yet that is how I can best describe it. I still do the same things for the most part, but under different circumstances. Allow me to explain further...
I am still the wife of one amazing guy, and I am still the mother of four amazing children. But that amazing guy is now following God's call and working his tail off at seminary, leaving me with four children for much of the day. I'm not complaining (most of the time, although I do have my moments), but it is our new reality. Steven helps out when he can, but he needs to focus on school. So if doing much of the grocery shopping, menu planning, laundry, housework, and parenting is what I can do to help out, I'm obviously going to do it. I have a whole new respect for single parents...I don't know how they do it! Oh, did I mention that we are still homeschooling too? :)
I also still have a wonderful community surrounding us with love and support. Actually, now I have two communities! Our New Heights community in Wisconsin continues to be a source of support for us. We enjoy the emails, the texts, and the facebook updates that keep us in the loop. We also have moved into a closely-knit community here at Wartburg...yes, the Fishbowl! Here we have made new friends, as well as some new traditions. The kids are meeting new friends and trying new things, like hanging out at the youth room (a wonderful place) and cheerleading (Go Runnin' Reformers!). The seminary students have bonded as a class and are learning how to get schoolwork done while still showing up at home every once in awhile. And the spouses (my group)...the spouses have come together to support each other through this crazy journey. Together we parent our own children and sometimes each other's children. We carpool our kids to school. We pick stuff up at the store for each other. We listen to each other and we vent (often over smores and beverages). We keep each other sane! Whether the spouse is Mom or Dad, it doesn't matter. We are all in this together!
I guess what I'm getting at is that it's still the same life doing the same things, but I've had to give up some things for the time being...thus, making it different. I don't spend time on the phone anymore unless it's to call another Fishbowl family to see if my kids are at their house. And I don't spend a lot of time on facebook anymore unless it's after 10 pm. Although I do rely on facebook and this blog to keep my friends and family in our loop, or fishbowl. :) The majority of my weekday time is spent multitasking between the kids and my "to do" list. And the weekends are our family time...time to see Steven and spend quality time with him. It's our time to regroup and reenergize ourselves for another week. And, for the past few months, it's been a time to empty out that darn storage unit!
So forgive me if it seems like I'm out of touch or ignoring you...I'm not! I'm simply doing what I can to support our family's call to do the Lord's work. Some days it means cleaning the house. Other days it means watching Brigham play in the sandbox while I lend an ear to another spouse having a rough day. Sometimes it's me who needs the ear. But please know that while seminary committments may keep us here on campus, our family and friends are always welcome to come and visit the Fishbowl!
