This is the blog for Gavin and Carrie Jones and family. We live in Papua New Guinea and are working to see lives transformed by the living Word of God through Bible translation. Gavin is a helicopter pilot. Carrie, who has her degree in Public Health, works in the lab at our busy rural clinic. Our son, Isaac, was born in 2004 and our quintuplets, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, and Grace, were born in 2012.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. The you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:3-6

Monday, July 28, 2014

I love this blog post!

Motherhood can be magical at times, but boy howdy, it can be HARD and tedious and feel like drudgery! I felt like I was practically engulfed in toddler waste today. I can't tell you how many items I have soaking in Napisan as I write. (Napisan is a gift. I miss it so much in the US.) Seth's diaper rash was a lot better this morning, but is pretty terrible again tonight. He just keeps burning his own little bottom, no matter how immediately we change him. I felt so frustrated at times today, and indeed at several times during this past week, I wondered if it was normal or if I was needing a serious break. I think it's normal. I've just never mothered this intensely in my own home for this long before. :) The kids are absolutely adorable, but also hysterical when they wake up too early from their nap because they can't find their pacifiers, or when they can't come into the kitchen while I'm stirring a pot of bubbling marinara sauce, or when they can't go bye-bye with Daddy when he goes to work.

All told, however, this stage with five babies is definitely MUCH easier than the newborn months with only one baby. I was isolated then, lacked experience and perspective, had a husband who was gone 12 hours a day (he flew early in the morning), and had postpartum depression. I wish I had read this blog then. I felt like SUCH a failure. I still struggle with feelings of failure every day, but I know what is realistic and what I need to ignore or laugh off. E.g.: I didn't put the clothes away AGAIN today! I am such a failure!! ;)

http://thegypsymama.com/2011/10/for-the-days-when-you-want-to-quit-motherhood/

P.S. Gracie can point to so many body parts now! Eyes, ears, mouth, nose, hair, head, arms, tummy, legs, toes, fingers. I was shocked as I quizzed her today. I had no idea she knew all of those. Marcie can name everyone in the family. When she says "Marcie," she pronounces it perfectly and points to herself. She says "Seth" with the "th" sound even! She also will point or lead the way to wherever her siblings are if I ask her (I frequently misplace David and Will, they are SO busy!). Tonight David "hugged" her with a gleeful grin, but the hug turned into a wrestling match. Marcie giggled throughout, even when Will joined the fray. Will tried to wrestle Gracie when she was trying to "go to sleep" on her blanket on the floor in the living room. He wouldn't get off her, despite her protests, so we asked David to go over and push him off her, which David did! It was pretty funny to watch. He just bowled Will over very gently but effectively, and Gracie was freed.
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4 comments:

  1. ByNanasHandsJuly 28, 2014 at 9:14 PM

    At time Motherhood was a "4 letter word"! I had 3 boys all 2 years apart...TO close together for sure but, once they are there not much one can do about it! It's amazing to be my age and look back on those years that I thought were so hard. I remind my beautiful daughter in laws that this will go by in a snap....you'll wake up one morning and they won't be "needy" any longer, they won't WANT to be around you and you'll long for the days where they run and grab your knees and give you the biggest hug in the world....they want to be held, climb up in your lap and lay their sweet smelling little heads against your chest. In a SNAP. Who cares if the clothes don't get put away, I swore we lived out of laundry baskets for years....the clothes didn't know where they were. ;) , they were clean so what more could anyone ask of me! Take each day and savor it....it goes by so quickly and then they are grown, gone and living their own lives....then you wonder if they have time to come home for dinner or to call once in a while. You pick up the phone and when they answer you say, "hey, I was missing you, how are things"? And you might hear, oh, hi Mom....can I call you back later, Logan needs to be at soccer, Noah has to be dropped at Cub Scouts, Dakota has to coach at school and I have to take William to his guitar lesson.....

    Enjoy this age, they have nothing else to "do" but be with you! Believe me, there will be more than enough time to reintroduce your laundry to the dressers and closets.....way to much time..... Prayers continue.....

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    Replies
    1. GavinCarrieJuly 31, 2014 at 7:40 AM

      What a precious message! Thank you!!! Love, Carrie

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  2. UnknownJuly 29, 2014 at 12:05 AM

    IT'S HARD, IT'S HARD, IT'S HARD,,,,,GOD BLESS YOU , GOD BLESS YOU, GOD BLESS YOU !!!! When you can, find a time, when someone IS there, go in your room, put ear plugs on and cover your eyes,and think of God, and Praise him,,or sit out side in the car and scream if you have too.... OR just forget everything and sit down and read them a book, or play with them.....When my youngest was born, I had a newborn and a 3yr old...and a 14yr old handicapped son , at the level of a two year old and OCD AND Bipolar..all in diapers..my son is still in diapers/attends night time ....My laundry was CLEAN but on the couch most of the time...dishes were not done at times, and there were times my husband would tell me don't worry about dinner he would make it when he got home,,,Except for the days of constant "pee and poop", the exhaustion,,,and the times of watching the CLOCK till bedtime.. ..I LOVED IT..I MISS THE BABY AND THE WONDER AND LEARNING AGES, Like YOU have said before, the kids won't remember the laundry not put away , toys and things all over place....they will remember the time YOU spent with them listening to them, answering all their questions....the time when Dad came home and played with them, so Mom can have a break.... My girls when at 6 and 9, do not even remember the severe depression I was in for a year or two...They are now almost 20 and 23 ( and my Son living at home with us is 33yrs)... one is in college in the nursing program, works, and, lives at home, and the other went to college 2 yrs and has a full time Nanny Job, saving to move out....Even through the teen years ( were challenging ..no drugs sex or alcohol..but lots of
    attitudes , we made it though)...The Girls and I have a great relationship,. and both girls have a Great relationship with The Lord and are active in their faith. because, of the relationship, and the time I spent just being with them, and not wondering what the house looks like... .they are NOT perfect ,,I'M not perfect, I've made lots of mistakes, but God fills in the rest...Maybe I've babbled on, but remember every diaper you change, or all the fussiness and whining, are offerings, you are doing for God,,...I've been thinking a lot lately of all the baby and pre school years, and wanting them back SOO much.....I love watching them now, still maturing and learning,,,but I miss the younger years...I am in the in between years of "my babies and kids" and grandchildren,,,,Enjoy this time as much as you can, and know you are doing a GREAT JOB...and know too the many prayers coming your way:) One thing that still helps my son calm down is playing christian music....

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    Replies
    1. GavinCarrieJuly 31, 2014 at 7:41 AM

      Thanks so much, Brenda! So true!! Great reminder. Love, Carrie

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Gavin, Carrie, Isaac, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, & Grace Jones

Gavin, Carrie, Isaac, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, & Grace Jones

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