Tonight was one of those rare, but perfect supper times in the Stevens household. We're just like every other family, racing around in a million different directions, getting our kids to all of their extracurricular activities, because we're making sure they're well-rounded (maybe we should toss them out in the yard to play in the dirt...I kinda think so every year about this time!) and feeling exhausted and forever short on time... (okay, so if that's not your family, you don't have to tell me and make me feel bad!)
But tonight, time stood still and Chris and I cooked supper together while the girls finished up their schoolwork for the day. Chris cut up a beautiful salad for us, and I worked on our main course. Grace read six chapters of I, Juan while Ruth worked on her spelling and grammar lessons. George was bugging the stew out of both of them until I finally thought to ask for his help. Now George is 5 years old, and he does a great job taking out the trash and feeding the dogs. Okay, sometimes he feeds the dogs... But you see, George has two big sisters who hover over him, especially Ruth. He doesn't do much without the luxury of lots and lots of "help" at every turn. So when I asked him to help me cook, wash the dirty dishes, and straighten up the kitchen (who knew we had so many pairs of shoes...could there be another family of five secretly living here and leaving their shoes everywhere???), George just lit right up. He pulled off his shirt, and stood on the step-stool over the sink for a really long time, making sure every dish was perfectly clean. It was all Ruth could do to finish her schoolwork. She wanted to get out of her chair so badly to help George she couldn't stand it! But everyone, with a great attitude (no really, this time I'm not being sarcastic), was doing just fine and I explained to Ruth that she couldn't help him with everything, and if we helped him all the time he wouldn't be able to do anything! She relaxed and finished her work, so I sent her upstairs to swap over the laundry (you know, dry stuff out of the dryer, wet stuff in the dryer, dirty stuff in the washing machine- yes, I make the girls do laundry. They're still alive, too! Even George does some swapping, but we don't let him start the washing machine just yet...can't you see George and a huge container of liquid laundry detergent...but I digress.) When I finished up the spaghetti (yes, that's our go-to meal...pretty sure we eat it once a week!) and started to dish up the plates, I put Ruth in charge of applying sauce on top of noodles. She couldn't believe it, and was thrilled with her new responsibility. George proudly carried bowls to the table, and Ruth helped me fix everyone's drink. (Grace was still reading at this point, and we eventually convinced her to join us.) As we took each other's hands, and Chris said the blessing, I thought about how many moms feel like they have to do it all alone. Ladies, listen up- even the littlest one can be a HUGE help during mealtime, and the confidence oozing from your child as you bestow upon them the highest of responsibilities is a beautiful thing! Lord, help me to remember tonight when I consider shooing the kids out of the kitchen so I can do things "my way"... After dinner, everyone helped to clear the table, Grace finished her reading, Ruth skipped off to finish math with Daddy, and I cleaned the counters while George jumped back on his step-stool to make sure no dish was left dirty, no not one.
I'm sitting here in my kitchen now, so thankful for my precious family, and for this wonderful evening we spent together while time stood still.
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