I can't. I have kids.

Life is about seasons.

Right now I'm in the interrupted-a-million-times-during-any-one-activity phase of life. It can be down right infuriating to try sitting down to write this blog post, for instance and before I can even type out a sentence I've had one kid ask to paint, another if I can help them in the bathroom and even my husband needing my help because he ran out of gas in the lawn mower. I'm ok with helping them and that is what I do, but sometimes you just want to do something start to finish without hitting the pause button.

On days like today, I have to remind myself that this season will pass. One day I won't be helping little ones with every small task and I will be able to finish a blog post without needing to make lunch and fetch drinks in the middle of it. That is a refreshing thought during this time of half formed thoughts and every conversation interjected with, "Don't do that!" to one of my many little people.

In the spring I held a book club for "Almost Amish" by Nancy Sleeth to any one who wanted to delve into the world of simplicity. At the end of the book she talks about different seasons in life. So many times we Americans think we need to have it all at the same time: successful careers, a wonderful marriage, competent children, admirable charitable work. The truth is, it can't be done. Something will suffer or our Instagram feed will only show half truths of our put-together lives. The Amish realize that not every season is the harvest. Sometimes the earth is hard, cold or even frozen making it impossible to plant. And during that time, you stay inside and let the ground be dormant. Seasons should be observed, but often they are ignored in our fast paced lives.

Since adopting, we have put a lot of our life on hold to make sure that Andrew and Simon have what they need from us. In many ways, they are doing great, but we can still see and will probably continue to see, the scars of not having parents during those critical months of development. This season of life requires a lot of work and energy during all parts of the day. (My mom shared a great article about how parenting adopted kids is different. Check it out.) And Craig and I are ok with that. We signed up for this when we decided to adopt, realizing the hard work that lay ahead.

And all of our kids need us. From homeschooling to learning piano to bike riding to table manners, they all are growing, changing, learning and by choosing to be parents we decided to make our lives about helping them become the people they are suppose to be. Life contains a lot of, "I can't. That is during nap time." Or "I can't. I'll have the kids with me." Or "Sorry. That would be too much for the kids." That is the season of life we are in.

Understanding where I am in life and wanting a little freedom can still co-exist in my little world. I'm human and sometimes just want what I want and the world to leave me be for a couple of hours. Case and point: acting professionally, my life aspiration, is on hold. This is not the season for it. But I know that one day, the ground will be ready to harvest, the kids will be grown and I'll pursue my dreams. But for now, I'm busy planting into four lives and being the best wife and parent I can be.

For now, just call me Mrs. Farmer.