The Shisler Family Blog: It takes a village...

The saying is so true, it takes a village to raise these children of ours. I am SO grateful that I have so many wonderful women in my "village". Friends who will help me with about anything I ask. Friends who will pray for me, cry with me, laugh with me, bring me a meal when I need it, show up at an ER and park my car and give me sanity, friends who love my children, friends who care for them and will even put them in time outs because they KNOW it's what I would do and mostly dear friends who reassure me that I am going to be just fine and we are going to make it. This motherhood gig is not for the weak....it is a marathon and we take a few steps every single day.

Going to graduation open houses this month for some of these kids that whose Momma's are in my "village" is bittersweet...watching these kids growing up. Sigh, we are here to give them wings and pray them up before they set out on their own. I know that but man, sometimes it is hard.

Today this funny chain of emails went through a group of us...and please know how very much we all LOVE our children, and also note that school is just out, or almost out for all of us. But this just made me smile.

Friend 1 - I am seriously tired of being in charge and being responsible!!!!!!! I feel much better getting that off my chest. Carry on with your afternoon. :)

Friend 2 - Lol. Ditto. And with the way (child) & (child) were with each other today, I need to make some serious plans for the summer or I may need to be committed.

Friend 3 - Oh man...summer has definitely started over here...messes no one wants to be responsible for, hitting, fights, tattling, non stop requests for food NOW, did I mention messes...and we were only home for 1 and a half hours b4 we left for pump it up (w coupon they were willing to extend). I believe in us moms tho! We will survive!!!

Friend 1 - Summer hasn't even started here!!!!! LOL! :). Maybe if we all just gathered, threw food in the middle of the room, like chips and pop, they would fend for themselves for a couple of hours. :)

Friend 4 - I already tried to make arrangements for a couple of my kids to go elsewhere for the summer. None are panning out so far. Right now I'm sitting in my van in my driveway, by myself. Don't get me wrong I love them like crazy but I am s.c.a.r.e.d. for summer.

Friend 3 - Does anyone have invisible fence? We could get them all collars, put the voltage on low, sit inside and sip beverages as they play.

Friend 1 - LOL! I just told my kids they could have whatever they wanted for a snack, even candy! They are currently watching tv while I hide.

Friend 5 - I'm laughing at all of these messages as I just hauled around an extra child for the afternoon and she just threw up at Yo To Go!!!!

Friend 1 - Please tell me she threw up in an appropriate place?????? Like a toilet and not your back seat?

Friend 4 - I can't stop laughing...invisible fence, hiding...hahahaha!

Friend 4 (in response to the email about the throwing up) - SHUT UP!!!!!

Friend 2 - LOL! This is the best string of messages ever. I really want to anonymously blog about it. I'm just sitting here with "we're all in this together..." going through my head. C'mon, sing it with me now...

Friend 6 - lol like the invisible fence :) 3 of mine are in the back with the hose on...I am just letting them soak themselves. the fence doors are locked and shut

Friend 1 - I might have to blog this. I will keep names out because it makes me laugh. Hard.

Friend 2 (in reference to blogging this) - ditto. so ditto. think about how encouraging it will be for the moms who read our blogs and only have babies and toddlers. they'll really be looking forward to the next phase of life then. lol

Friend 6 - So true. Pls blog. And copy me in on it do I can repost without the effort. We are in this together ladies. And I've got the oldest child of the bunch. It's still hard!!!

Friend 7 -All this signals one thing and one thing only..you all need to plan a girls trip down to see me and we will go to the beach!!! This whole conversation is making me laugh out loud in the aisles of Target! I love you all, you van-hiding, candy -bribing, vomit-cleaning, shock-collar moms!!! Hugs! We will survive! Fist pump with me people!!!

Friend 2 - and, for the record, all of my kids are outside sitting in the top of the swingset "house" and there's no way on earth i'm calling them in for dinner anytime soon. when they come in to eat, that's when i'll feed them.

Friend 2 (in response to beach email) - Woot! Woot! All summer at the beach! Oh wait. You weren't offering all summer. Never mind. ;)

Friend 1 - I have tears rolling down my cheeks I am laughing so hard.

Friend 4 - I'm still in my van deciding if it is really necessary to feed them dinner.

Friend 1 - They are resourceful. Stay in van.

Friend 7 - (husband) just texted me "where are you?" should I say "hiding at Target"? Is he ready for the truth?

Friend 6 - call dominos and STAY IN THE VAN...pay the man in the driveway and send the pizza to the door

Friend 7 - If you are already in the van (name), come to Target!!!!

Friend 2 - convo in my kitchen 15 minutes ago.

(child): "Can I have a snack?"

(mom): "No, we're having dinner soon."

(child): "But I'm not hungry."

(mom): "If you're not hungry, then why in the world do you need a snack???"