tia on duty

First off, I'm sorry for my month of silence. Between getting the house ready and having it ready for showings, I've hardly touched my laptop. In fact, this is the first time in probably a month that I am sitting down to use it at all. (aside from cutting on music, and that, well lets get real, hardly counts.)

Now onto life as I (currently) know it...I am presently at my sister's house! It was a two-way favor, see. They needed a sitter for an event, and I needed some time away. So in return for a babysitter, they are letting me stay a few days, and I am loving every second with these guys!

Those of you who read my blog at all, know that I come from what is culturally accepted as a "large" family. With four sisters(just on this side of the family) and three nephews, it can be difficult to get one-on-one time, as they are often the most popular attendees at family functions.

But here I am. The only tia for miles. The one for who's attention they are pining. Every little thing they do, from "look at this stick" to "watch me jump off this wall," the comment I hear squealed out of their little mouths is "Yonnie look!!"

The one recently got glasses and is starting to read, another finding his voice and learning to communicate his opinion and the other is in the early stages of learning to walk. Each of them so different. Their own person. They all have likes, and dislikes. Each a voice and face of their own. Each precious and lovely to me. One look. One word. And this tia is melting at their beck and call.

But, even if I would give them the world if they asked, I've found myself in a difficult position.

Three such different guys. Three little people. Three love languages. Three ages. Three names. Three behaviour patterns. Three personalities.

And only. One. Me. No other aunts, uncles, grandparents or anyone else to help make sure each child felt important.

Oh how desperately I want each of them to feel loved and cherished and important! For them to be able to look back and to say "My aunt took time for me. She listened. She loved me."

I have quickly found myself tuning out the copious amounts of noise; turning a deaf ear whatever unidentifiable sound is coming from the back seat or other room; and unfortunately even snapping when they weren't listening to "gentle" instruction.

But while I was here alone, I had this revelation of common knowledge dawn on me: it goes too fast. I looked around and man, I told my sister the mess would have made a nun swear because it had gotten that bad that fast. I won't even go into detail about the mess, the baby has been just off for two days and appears to be getting sick, so he was clingy and fussy. The older two were absolutely wound! They had enough energy to demote the energizer bunny. I didn't even feel stressed about the chaos I had allow to descend on the house, and before I knew it, #2 was asking me what I was singing.

Singing?

Yep. Singing. You guys have got to believe me...it took me an hour and a half to clean up after I put the kids down. And I didn't even care. I enjoyed cleaning up. Because I knew that I had spent time with the little boys who so dearly love me and are glad that I am here with them.

The cake that in my mind was total bust was a little sliver of heavenly sweetness to them. They didn't care that my hair was messy or that my outfit totally clashed. They don't care if I have eloquent speech or use fancy words. It does not impress them when I sing or speak Spanish. They won't remember those things.

The mess remained until they were down. But we had fun. We played games and laughed and just enjoyed being tia and nephews. We sang lullabies and quoted Bible verses together. And it turned out to be a lovely night. I wouldn't change one single thing about it.

So now here it is. 12:30am. I'm sitting in a clean house. With happy sleeping boys upstairs. And I am perfectly pleased to know, I was able to let it all go to be the tia on duty. The one that hears their stories, adventures, and complaints. To hold them when mommy's hand are full. To love them through rough patches. And to rejoice when they conqueror something great. But I will say, I'm glad I am not the only tia all the time. This is a tough job for one gal! ;)