who, what, when, where, why?

Over the last few weeks it feels like we are all adjusting and getting a little used to our own skin.  Kind of like when you bring home a newborn baby - you have to adjust to the new member of the family, on little sleep, your getting used to your post pregnancy body - realizing there are little adjustments that need to be made in multiple areas of life in order for everything to fit.  It's been about 2 weeks now that our entire family has been together, all kids are home from scout camp etc...  and we're sort of in the getting to know you stage all over again.  

Overall the kids are doing pretty good, they're finding new hobbies, have even made a few new friends, but sometimes the emotions get running high and they have a toddler time tantrum.  

At first I was all set to staunch any such behavior, but then I realized I needed to help them work through negative emotions not just suppress them.  In an effort to do so, I've been asking WHY a lot.  It's so fascinating being a parent, because as I ask them WHY, it makes me ask myself.  Such a small word but so profound, why do we do the things we do, feel the way we feel, act on those feelings, say certain things.  Is it part of our makeup, does it just happen, how much do we control, how much is an effect of our environment and the things that surround us.  As I was pondering on the WHY's in my life, it made me think of the W's.  The who, what when where and why.  Sometimes I get going through the motions of life, and don't really stop to make sure I am driving the boat and not just lazily letting it drift here and there, to and fro.  So my self pondering questions for my life direction will follow the W's this week.

Who am I?

Who can I help?

What would the Lord have me do?

When and where am I needed?

Why am I where I am, doing what I am when I am at this very moment?

I'm sure somedays I am fully aware that I am a beautiful daughter of God, where i am to learn and grow, to help those around me.  But somedays I think I could throw a tantrum to make a toddler proud.  I'm not sure who I am, or why I am going through the motions, what am I supposed to do and where am I headed in life.  Luckily I have this lovely blog to bounce ideas off, rediscover the answers to the above questions and then move forward.  I hope you pick a W this week and ask yourself a who, what, when, where why question, just to make sure your directing that boat and not letting the waves array you into waters not of your own making.  

On that note: the where and when of the last week has been fun.  We went up to Maine for our anniversary/Addie's birthday.  We only stayed 2 days, but it was so beautiful.  While the water is pretty frigid, it is so Wicked Gorgeous.  The water is clear and the coastline is breathtaking with Rock formations jutting out and up.  I can't imagine landing on that shoreline and starting a life in a new colony, but I am thankful for the chance to bask in the beauty of it now.