The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Forgetting Hectic

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

2 May 2007

I always felt staying at home and raising my six children were some of the most rewarding and wonderful times of my life, but I do believe I have forgotten how hectic it was since the kids have left home.

This past weekend, I spent in Evans, Colorado at my daughter and son-in-law's Darci and Dan Ericson to see our newest grandson.

Levi Daniel was born Tuesday, April 24th weighing 8 lbs. 6 oz. and joined his sisters Lydia, 1 1/2, Gracie 2 1/2, Autumn 14 and Matthew 16.

I knew I had slipped into a more relaxed mode since my children had left home but I didn't remember what a busy life I had lived raising my children prior to that until I watched Darci.

I think I have forgotten "Hectic!"

Darci came home the day after she had the baby without skipping a beat.

I had warned her that life was never quite the same for me after I had had two.

When there is only two parents, only two hands or arms to hold them, what do you do with number 3?

It just can't help but be a little busy. Darci needed to run to the drug store for a minute and insisted she go while the baby was asleep.

How much problem can it be, I thought.

I thought putting them in the swing would be easy but there is always more to it than that. Keeping them dry, keeping their shoes on, making sure they had hats and sunscreen on their fair skin. Then the baby started to cry so I had to take both girls out of the swings in order to bring the two inside to pick up the baby. And their little hands are quick. It was only a few minutes but Lydia was picking berries from a chokeberry tree thinking they looked good enough to eat, and Gracie was taking off her shoes. I was so glad to see Darci return.

I love all my sixteen grandchildren but I'm out of practice at watching a crew.

I guess I just need to visit more often.