My middles...

I don't have many friends that have large families. Large - I mean by more than 5 kids. I come up with this number as the auto industry seems to have defined 'the family transporter' being a mini-van, that typically sits 7 people - 2 parents and 5 kids...I guess...

Having 8 children - many events are attended by taking 2 vehicles - as I would NEVER purchased an 'institution van' - one that seats like 15 or something...no, no, no.

Anyways - I digress -'my middles'...these are my middle 3 children. When raising children - kids are labeled - 'the baby', 'the girls', 'the oldest' - etc...but there isn't really a fitting term - for 'the middles.' These are the children that come after the wonder, newness, first experiences and mistakes of raising the oldest...and they are the children that are forging before the 'babies' - the 'babies' that are getting all the breaks - because the parents are tired...worn out...and less reactive about most everything...

The middles are an interesting group - they either are a very tight unit with in a family - having structure to their relationships that they don't have with the rest of the world - or are disconnected - navigating separately. I am so grateful that these three are close and each others best friends. Just watching them - is at times - like watching either the three stooges or the three musketeers. These are the kids who had lemonade stands, played killer football with pillows stuffed under their shirts, made Lego universes - while singing along to Space Jam soundtrack and have whole conversation using random movie quotes that only they understand.

Now they are big. I am the short one. When did that happen? They drive, work and travel. They don't need me to navigate their journeys - I'm just the 'check in point' now - offering refreshment and encouragement.

Those who know me - know that I am grateful everyday for God's work in my life. I came into parenting without knowledge, foundation or understanding of what a parent should be or what a parent should know. I know NOW that God has a plan - for my family and my children - beyond what I can see or understand.

This coming Easter Weekend - the most Holy of Holy's...I am again - dying eggs with 'the babies' - talking to 'the oldests' about their family plans...and looking forward to Easter Service with 'the middle boys' and waiting to hear about their sister's Easter Sunday Service as she is away in California. While my heart aches for those quiet days - when 'the middles' were 'the babies'...I am profoundly grateful for the wonderful persons these three are becoming as young adults.

'God is taking us on a great adventure. It will be out of our power and control. And it will be a ride like none we would have planned for ourselves. As we loosen our grip on the reins of our own lives, he is direcing us down a trail - we have never known.'

~Blessed are those whose strength is in you. ~ Psalm 84:5