Expectations Vs. Reality

Can you picture a Chinese jumprope? It’s a large, connected elastic band (picture a giant rubber band). At a pre-field training, we had an extensive lesson with these. Someone stood in the middle of multiple of Chinese jump ropes, stretched taut around their legs. Though the lesson had many facets, the one I am focusing on today is about expectations vs. reality. The further apart our expectations are from our reality, when life happens and the band gets snapped, it is really going to hurt. Anything we can do to get the two closer makes the pang “twangs” lessen.

I’m really off track for my original purpose of this post, but I’ve gone this far, so I’ll continue. 

This can make me a pessimist as I keep my expectations low so as not to have to painful of twangs. As I try to manage expectations, I can also stop dreaming, just function and many times, I am surprised by my reality as I had a different picture painted in my mind. Does that make any sense?  If it doesn’t , no problem, my initial intent was to write about Jon’s trip. 

About 1 1/2 years ago, Jon was asked to attend an SIM Int’l Consultation in Turkey. At that point, we knew nothing of Tiger and Little Miss and our whole family planned to go. Because of a coup in Turkey, it was moved to Montenegro. A country I had to google to know its location. And because of two new babies (yay!), the whole family going was not a good option as sitting in a hotel room with four cranky, jet-lagged kids isn’t really my thing. ;)

We blessed Jon and sent him, though it was sad to see him go and I was a bit panicky how everything would play out.

And, (here’s the part where expectations and reality being close together is helpful). We are making it and beyond expectations!

Thanks to all who are praying.

I asked him to send my pictures and his view is incredible. 

But so is mine. 

Yes, I now want to go to Montenegro someday.

But for the stage we are in, I am good here. Both babies were immunized on the day after Jon left. #nanasavestheday.

My mom and Jon’s mom have been so helpful. Others have been amazing too and my expectations are far exceeded this minute as the girls are at a friends and BOTH babies are sleeping. Woohoo! 

Someday, I want to see this place

For now, this view is great.

My reality is exceeding my expectations. It’s Saturday morning and he gets back Monday night. The homestretch and we are all still alive, healthy and happy. I know some of you have husbands, traveling all the time. My respect for you has gone up even more. 

And for some of you reading who recognize at least two in this picture, Jon and Brett are rooming together. Liv, if you are reading, someday, when our 8 children are older, let’s join them, okay? ;)

FAQ: What's Harder, Twins or Two Babies 7 Months Apart?

Before Little Miss T was born, I answered this question with a “we’ll see” and in my head I thought it wouldn’t be as hard as going from 0-2 kids.  It’s funny as other things seem glaringly obvious now. 

I hadn’t factored in the different stage of life I am in. When we brought home J and A, they came into our home and settled routines. I was a stay-at-home mom and they were my only kids. This past 8 months, we have stayed in many different beds, traveled by car and plane, moved “home base” multiple times, I am trying to manage a few things with our overseas life and J and A are homeschooled first graders. 

What is harder, twins or two babies 7 months apart?

Two babies 7 months apart is a hands down winner.

Would I change it?

Never.

I am laughing at myself and how seeing how fast times flies with the girls and the hormones, everything is so PRECIOUS. I can hardly handle Little Miss’ squishy cheeks and her little eyes looking deeply into mine and I get all melty listening to Theo babble and being on the receiving end of his kisses. I look at our oldest and have panicky thoughts of, “Oh no, they are almost grown! Where did the time go? How did they lose their teeth already?!” Each stage my kiddos are in is amazing. Sometimes problematic when they all have needs at the same time, but this is probably the definition of moms of multiple kids struggle. 

To our delight, Tiger loves his baby sis, which is incredible but also challenging as he wants to touch her, kiss her, grab her every chance afforded to him, which means a whole lot of funny and sweet but also 100% supervision. 

After looking at pictures for this post, it's tempting not to post. It’s a little too real life, sweatpants, mess everywhere, hair out of control, kids dressed in whatever is most easily accessible, but it’s the hormone thing again as even the mess is feeling precious. 

Not photographed much (because I am continually out of space on my phone. Grr) but a rockstar dad is Jon, helping with everything, in any spare minute he has.

There are countless other unsung heroes who have come alongside and we are so grateful.