Basically this is true for all pictures of anyone shared for the public to see…..
What you don’t hear is the constant laughter, running, chasing, and playful screaming from the kids.
What you don’t know is that moments before the picture was taken everyone was NOT listening and going their own way.
What you don’t hear is the yelling, pleading, re-directing, separating, time outs, consequences, and compromises being made in order to keep the peace.
What you don’t hear is the “DONT TOUCH EACH OTHER” and LEAVE HIM ALONE” or LEAVE HER ALONE” and my favorite : “IF YOU DO ___________ ONE MORE TIME YOU WILL BE FACING SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES” .
What you don’t see is how connected the younger two are and seem to be able to comfort each other with a simple touch.
What you don’t see or hear is the struggle the oldest has with a plethora of hurdles which he overcomes every day and feels the most proud when he accomplishes something in his school work.
What you don’t feel are the constant headaches from the non stop NOISE that occurs in our house.
What you don’t know about is the stress and uncertainty of the future that we all face every day due to the roller coaster ride of who knows what will happen next from the impending situation with unmentionables.
What you don’t hear is me asking them at least 10x a day “How much do I love you?” ((They always STOP what they’re doing and JUMP and wave their arms and say “THIS MUCH”)) — (I ask them because I need a reminder to myself to calm down and breathe before yelling for some silly reason because some days are harder than others to juggle it all).
What you don’t see are the hugs. The incredible, loveable, squeezable, fleeting, and non returnable hugs. The cuddles. The tears. The fears. The nightmares. The bleeding boo boos. The temper tantrums. The LOUD temper tantrum of a very over tired 2 year old in the middle of a very populated store.
What you don’t hear are the whispers in the night. The sweet “I love you” in the morning. The tip toeing of the youngest who goes on adventures in the tile floor kitchen with tap shoes at 2 am.
What you don’t feel is the frustrations of trying to make it in a world 3000 miles away from what we know. What you don’t see is the awesome thrilling excitement of learning something new EVERY SINGLE DAY. What you don’t understand is the culture, the sports, the people, the city, and the vibe we are embracing.
What you don’t see is the chore chart being accomplished. What you don’t see is the word list (homeschool word list) get highlighted little by little every single day. What you don’t hear is the oldest teaching the middle how to sound out words and how to do simple addition up to the number 5. What you don’t hear are the prayers they pray and the thoughtful ways they think of others first. What you don’t hear is the hysterical selfish breakdown that quickly follows where “IT’S NOT FAIR” and “BUT SHE/HE DOESN’T HAVE TO, SO WHY DO I HAVE TO?!”
What you don’t see is the laundry pile that USUALLY gets folded and put away but some weeks it stays in a heap, in the same spot… and we pick out the clean stuff as the days roll on. What you don’t see is how much they LOVE to help me COOK. What you don’t see is how messy the house can get in the matter of 20 minutes of them being awake.
What you don’t hear is the music. You don’t hear the singing. You don’t see the dancing. You don’t hear the whining and complaining but you also don’t hear the praise and secrets being told.
What you don’t hear is the begging and ultimately what are the threats that were given in order to produce a happy family photo.
What you don’t get from looking at a picture……
-vs-
What you do get… is a ‘happy image’ of a happy family.
And that’s exactly what we are. A very happy and grateful family.
Grateful for every minute of chaos.
Cheers ~
Compass Adventures 