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unanswered prayers

there is this old garth brooks song called unanswered prayers. for some of you out there - yes, i'm a big time country music girl! it is in my bones!! anyways - its an oldy. one from my high school days, but it talks about the prayers you pray and later realize how thankful you are God didn't answer them. i don't fully agree with the theology. i think he answers them - just not the way we wanted him to at the time.

so, last week i had the rare opportunity to experience what my life would be like if one of my dreams had come true. my dear friend really wanted to head to canada for a family wedding. her hubby could keep the kiddos for the weekend but friday was a bit difficult for her to figure out. i volunteered to keep the 3 youngest!! one i would have all day but she plays so well with princess it is like a free day for me. the other 2 would ride the bus home with mapboy. i was pumped!! for as long as i can remember i had always wanted 5 children. God saw fit to give us just 2 here on earth and i always wondered about the other 3. so i would have a 7, 6, 5, 5 and 4 year old.

so on friday extra #1 arrived at 8:00am. they just played and played! we took a little trip to a store and packed a picnic lunch. they played for a few more hours and then it was time to head to the bus stop. as we waited i anticipated a relaxing afternoon listening to stories and enjoying a snack around the table. oh boy.....all 3 bounded off the bus and in full speed 5 kids ran for home. all were talking, all were running, and all were calling me mom!! all of them!! even our neighbor came out and said, "wow! that's a lot of kids!"

so we got home and all ran in different directions to play! they were great! i popped some popcorn for a snack and we all sat and attempted to talk. the noise was incredible! all joyful noises, but incredible nevertheless!! for the next 2 1/2 hours i heard more "mom" than normal! i heard squeals and laughter. i heard sharing and bargaining! it was great!!!

now....when her hubby showed up, i told him i had a great deal more respect for my friend than ever before! and i have a lot of respect for her!! they were extremely well behaved! i didn't have one issue, but i can't imagine hearing my name called as often as she must. and then trying to identify which little one it came out of!! i have heard her talk about this before but never truly experienced it!! amazing!!!

and yes, i confess, that this is one of those times i thanked God for not answering that prayer!!

in case you are wondering..(and i know my friend reads this) YES!!! i would do it again!!! it was fun and i loved being able to bless this dear friend!!!!

Comments

this summer before school started i kept a friends girls over night AND babysat for laura's girls the next day. so i had 10, 9, 8, 8, 8, 6, 2, and 2!!! it was crazy!!!!

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