Thankful Thursday

So, I just got home from Nathan's first ever football practice. He's so excited to be playing and even more excited that his team's name is the Panthers (just like the Carolina Panthers who are his favorite football team). I, on the other hand, am already feeling overwhelmed by the practice schedule. I guess I should have asked before signing him up (although I still would have wanted him to play because he really wants to), but I didn't, so finding out tonight that he'll have practice Mondays, Tuesdays, game on Wednesdays, and practice again on Thursday was quite a lot to take in!

So then I went over to a friend's blog (I used to get together with her along with other mommies, once a week, to let our kids play) where I got the idea to do these "Thankful Thursday" posts, and the theme for today is supposed to be SLOW DOWN. Oh man, how am I going to do that, especially now that practically every evening is now booked with football? I really don't know the answer to that. Because of Aron's work schedule, most practices I'll be having to go to alone with the other 3 kiddos and keep them entertained the whole time. This also means our Thursday night small group we'll be late to until the season's over (and I really look forward to that "grownup time"). And the karate class that I was going to sign Caleb up for clashes with the times we'll need to be on the field with Nathan! So on top of the day-to-day wife, mommy, and teacher titles that I carry, I'm now athletic coordinator, too.

Well, I'm tired of hearing myself complain and so here's where the thankful part comes in. I am so thankful that I'm not a single mom. I know too many mommies out there who do EVERY part of life with their children alone, not just a practice here and there. God, thank You for the husband You gave me and the marriage that You continue to bless despite my many, many flaws. Thank You that my children have a dad who is not only involved, but interested in their everyday lives. I know that at any moment, life could change and I could be doing this Mommy thing alone, so for tonight, I will choose to SLOW DOWN, count my blessings, and leave the scheduling for some other night! And I will say a prayer for the countless parents out there doing all of this by themselves. What an incredibly hard job you have and I commend those of you who are doing it and doing it well! You have my respect!