Hiester Family Antics: Not One Of Those Days

The Hiester Family in a nutshell - a big one, like a coconut or something

We are a family of a whole bunch of random people, thrown together in one small house, who all happen to look alike. Each member of our family was hand-picked by God... that's the only explanation for the saga that is our family. Here's the story from the beginning... My husband, Todd, was married before me. His wife's name was Carrie, and together they had 3 kids: Tyler, Kurstin & Elissa. Todd's parents were divorced and his mother remarried. Her new husband, Don, had 2 small children: Ally & Wesley. Their natural mother was killed in a car accident when they were 8 & 11. One year later, they lost their dad and Todd and Carrie took them into their home. 6 months after Ally & Wesley were added to the household, Carrie died of cancer at age 26. Her own children were 3, 6 & 9 and Ally & Wesley were 10 & 13. And Todd was alone with them. Think Lord of the Flies. So when I fell in love with Todd, I got these 5 kids as a bonus. We married about a year and a half into our relationship, with the kids as our wedding party. We made it all official with an adoption lawyer and lots of money, ensuring that we are LEGALLY their parents. They even had to take oaths saying they would perform the duties of sons and daughters, which I think means I have someone to change my diapers when the time comes! After 2 years of marriage we added Robben Carey to the mix. And now we've welcomed Livi Claire...the seventh, and final, Hiester kid (unless, of course, God has other plans). Todd and I are 37 and 35, respectively, and our kids range in age from 1 to 21. It's great because we're cool and always the youngest in a crowd of high school parents.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Not One Of Those Days

There are days when I truly LOVE my life. Days where my heart is filled with joy, almost to the bursting point; days where I am so thankful for the abundance I have been blessed with; days where I feel honored and privileged to lead my life.

Today is NOT one of those days.

There are days that my little Robben is a model of obedience and kindness; days where I feel like I am doing a good job as his mommy; days that I feel like I can do this.

Unfortunately, today is NOT one of those days.

There are days when I am glad I got out of bed; days where I feel like I've accomplished something (sometimes great, sometimes small); days where I feel like I am the luckiest woman alive.

Sadly, today is NOT one of those days.

There are days that, though I am frustrated, I remember to call on God to keep me in check; days where I can exhibit extreme patience in the face of naughtiness and disobedience; days that I can remain focused on what is truly important.

I'm sorry to report that today was NOT one of those days.

There are days that my girls are not very understanding about my frustration; days that they are not very willing to help me with Robben; days that they are not very sensitive to my precariously balanced sanity.

Thank God today was NOT one of THOSE days!!!