Five years later, here I sit with five children. Being a veteran Mommy, I was fully prepared for the lack of sleep, lack of energy, loads of diaper, and leaky boobies. What has surprised me the most about having five kids are the reactions we get. It's become humorous to watch the faces of people when we roll in somewhere. I almost always catch someone's lips mouthing, "they have five kids." Occasionally a bold soul will come up and ask if they are all ours. Questions and glances sometimes come with a flabbergasted head shake. It's funny really, because that probably would have been me, about three kids ago.
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| Madison's interpretation of our lil family I found on her school work. I like how she is towering over us. |
We did not plan to have five children, only four. :) However, we feel so blessed and lucky to have them. Those that know the story of our twins' shaky start can probably deduce why we are just thrilled everyone is here and healthy. I get it though. These days most people think having any more that two children is a litter. But truthfully, it's all about circumstances, and getting used to it. When I only had two, I couldn't imagine how to handle any more than that.
We sometimes get the "how are you going to pay for them?" "How do you get anything done?" "How can you give them all equal attention/love?" I'm not sure how to answer some of these, but here's what I do know. I know that God has provided every day so far. He's providing in some crazy ways, like a room makeover for the twins (more on that in another post), and some subtle ways like my sweet Daddy picking up my older two for school every morning. There are days when I get a lot accomplished, and other days where I only manage to make sure they get fed. There are days I'm good at prioritizing life's other duties to play hide and seek, chase a butterfly, or paint toenails (Madison's of course...well sometimes Noah, but that was just once), and there are days were I wish I'd done better. I'm a work in progress, but I'm trying to be the best Mom I can.
Two important things keep me motivated. First, these babies are on loan. I know these are God's children, and He's entrusted Michael and I to care for them, teach them, love and lead them. It is the most important type of loan, and we are determined not to be delinquent. Second, time is ticking. If I had a dime for every time I hear someone tell me that these years go by fast, I wouldn't be worried about how to pay for college!
In the spirit of time waiting for no man, I'm reviving this blog to record memories of this wild ride with my posse! I'm sure one day I'll look back on these posts and be thankful I wrote some of it down. My sister has told me on more than one occasion that I need my own reality show. I think it's part compliment, part dig, but it's the truth. I have A LOT of good material on a daily basis. It's loud. It's crowded. It's chaotic at time. It's glorious. It's fun. It's my wildest dreams come true.
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| Our Posse! |
