Teamwork makes the dream work (to quote our Papi) <3

Since I went on long winded yesterday, I thought I would just share a quick little nugget from our time with the Band of Brothers and Miss Thing yesterday. 

First off let me state that I am deeply grateful for both Zach and Rachel to entrust the care of their most precious possessions to us and that they back us up as we, hopefully, back them up in all things. 

They also are gracious to let me share glimpses of their sweet kiddos here on the Journey, which hopefully makes you all smile, or feel understood, or encouraged, or whatever you come here for on a given day. 

So thank you for understanding that we are 100% human and not writing any books on how to raise perfect kids or be a flawless parent or grandparent…we are just all works in progress and I am thankful for this family that we get to be a part of on the weekly. 

We had a full kid-centered summer day with them on Monday, and by the end of it, we had ourselves the plot line of a Berenstein Bear book….one in which the children forget that the adults in their lives were not put in place to cater to every whim of childhood. 

As a result, we told Rachel that we wanted Tuesday to be a “how can we serve our family” day for the kids. 

She complied with a clear list of chores and some summer school work. We suggested we would take them to the grocery after naps and reading time to have them complete a short shopping list to help their parents out instead of seeking friends to play with, as per usual when we are there.

Well, they worked and studied and read and napped and then piled in the car. We managed to find all the items on our grocery list and get back to the van without anyone getting in trouble or lost. 

As we were driving home, in a break in all the making up of silly songs going on in the back, I asked what it felt like to know they had spent the day serving their family.

There was a little silence and I heard…in unison…”It was kind of boring”.

This was not said in an unkind or disrespectful way. Just pure honest assessment of the day. 

I am laughing as I type it and I laughed in the car. 

I had to respond with 100 percent agreement. It had not been exciting or anything that would merit a highlight reel from a day in the life of a child.

I told them…yep…doing laundry, planning meals, cleaning the house, filling water jugs, making sure the calendar is posted and followed, gathering library books and loading bags for the ball park, making beds, wiping up tables…is boring….but also the stuff of life. 

And they don’t realize it, but in the daily “boring” work that has to be done, this is the love and deep soul investment that is the richest soil of a family. It is in this place that the memories most treasured will be mined down the road.

 We had conversation and laughter throughout the day as we worked together. We were together and the moments were special even if the activities were not.

So as you all go about your tasks today, it’s okay if they seem a bit mundane.

They are necessary and they are the great work of life on planet earth.

May the Lord bless you, whatever you put your hand to do today. 

It all matters <3