Parenting...

Matt and I had the opportunity to be "parents" last Thursday through Monday to Marley (age 10), Carter (age 14), and Ivy, a sweet golden retriever.  The kids are always a lot of fun to be with and very active.  I've known this family for a few years now, and in the past we've housesat and dogsat for them while they've been away on vacation.  But this time around, we had the opportunity to see what being a parent entails - everything from getting up at 5:45 a.m., to making meals, getting the kids on the bus, making sure homework was finished, walking the dog, running the kids to soccer, tennis, and basketball practices and games, and other social activites.  Did I mention keeping the teenager out of trouble and away from girls too?  :)  Growing up, I missed most of my sister's teenage years since I was at college.  Wow, have the times changed since we were teens.  Now they have access to so much technology - cell phones, Facebook, etc.  And teenage girls these days are out of control. 

I make it sound like a lot of work (which it was), but it was a lot of fun too!  Needless to say, we were exhausted by the end of the long weekend!  We enjoying hanging out with the kids, but it made us realize a couple of things.  1.  As much as we love kids, we're not ready to start a family for many years.  Plus we have a lot to accomplish before we're ready to "settle down" and welcome the parenting phase of our marriage.  2.  Our parents did a lot for us growing up, way more than we probably even realize.  Thank you to our parents for your hard work and patience in raising us rebellious kids, for running us around to practices, games, other activities, and allowing us to have social lives, and for loving us unconditionally!  We owe you guys so much!

Also, Matt and I have been reading more lately, and yesterday I read this in my book,  "Do you find yourself being more like a mother or a wife?"  You could insert the word mother with any role in your life that comes to mind.  In marriage, our first and foremost responsibility is to be a wife to our husband.  This was a good reminder to me that of all my roles, my role as wife and helper to my husband should be the highest priority.  I would encourage the rest of you to ask the same question, "Do you find yourself being more like a mother or a wife?"