This is something that I've heard people say a lot to me recently:
"I don't know how you do it."
And so I have been thinking about how I do it and this is what I have come up with:
I don't do it. Not only am I well set up by and cared for by the Great Lord and Savior, but I have an entourage of helping hands and willing volunteers! My mother is with us several times during the week, caring for children, making meals, going to the store and things of the like, my mother in law takes the older girls one day a week to lighten my load, my father goes to Costco for me (wahoo!), I have people bringing us dinners, people coming by to help with projects or feed a baby or two, the occasional saving grace of a friend bringing me a delicious coffee treat, and a seemingly endless list of voluteers waiting in the wings! And let me take a moment to mention that I have the most amazing husband that I could hope for. He works hard both out of and in the home. He amazes me to no end... and he is adored by his daughters. (Thanks for doing Life with me, babe!)
I guess my point in this little blurb (is that a word?) is two-fold:
1. To thank all of the willing people who show us support and an outpouring of love. You all are so appreciated. Thank you for recognizing the need and stepping in to lend a hand... or two... and then some.
2. And to set the record straight that I do not do it alone. I can do it because I have help - both from family and friends and God who gives me strength.
....ummm, don't get me wrong, though... hardest thing I've ever done.
Ok... that's it for tonight.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
To Take a Moment...
At the end of my crazy day, when I am left with a living room littered with toys, my cold pizza and my aching feet, I like to count my victories.
1. I am still standing (well, I could stand... but I'm actually sitting).
2. My children, all 4 of them, were dressed before noon. (Nevermind that I was in my pajamas well past noon)
3. There was considerably less snot to wipe today. (Yay!)
4. I did a load of laundry and remembered to put it in the dryer (where it will no doubt reside for several days to come).
5. "Roomtime" was restored to the schedule.
6. I remembered to give the children the proper medications at the proper times and in the proper dosages (we have some ear infections and teething pain going on).
7. I was able to answer my phone and carried on two uninterrupted conversations.
8. Both babies pooped (something possibly only a mother could understand and appreciate).
9. I allowed people to come over eventhough my house is a disaster and truly did not care.
10. I am "blogging" this list.
Life with "four under four" is absolutely nuts. But when nuts becomes normal and we all can redefine our place a little and settle in, then it truly does feel easier - and dare I say enjoyable!
And when your 3-year old comes to you with a box of toys that she wants to donate (and yes, she does use that word) to someone who needs them, you overhear your 1-year old counting to ten (genius!), and your sweet, little 2-month olds look up at you with bright eyes and smile, you know that you are doing something right. Praises to God for seeing me through the day, and giving me moments of joy to sleep on.
....And now for the quote of the day...
Mom: "Julia, it's time for bed."
Julia: "I don't want to go to bed. It's my pleasure."
Mom: "What's your pleasure?"
Julia: "It's my pleasure to be in charge."
1. I am still standing (well, I could stand... but I'm actually sitting).
2. My children, all 4 of them, were dressed before noon. (Nevermind that I was in my pajamas well past noon)
3. There was considerably less snot to wipe today. (Yay!)
4. I did a load of laundry and remembered to put it in the dryer (where it will no doubt reside for several days to come).
5. "Roomtime" was restored to the schedule.
6. I remembered to give the children the proper medications at the proper times and in the proper dosages (we have some ear infections and teething pain going on).
7. I was able to answer my phone and carried on two uninterrupted conversations.
8. Both babies pooped (something possibly only a mother could understand and appreciate).
9. I allowed people to come over eventhough my house is a disaster and truly did not care.
10. I am "blogging" this list.
Life with "four under four" is absolutely nuts. But when nuts becomes normal and we all can redefine our place a little and settle in, then it truly does feel easier - and dare I say enjoyable!
And when your 3-year old comes to you with a box of toys that she wants to donate (and yes, she does use that word) to someone who needs them, you overhear your 1-year old counting to ten (genius!), and your sweet, little 2-month olds look up at you with bright eyes and smile, you know that you are doing something right. Praises to God for seeing me through the day, and giving me moments of joy to sleep on.
....And now for the quote of the day...
Mom: "Julia, it's time for bed."
Julia: "I don't want to go to bed. It's my pleasure."
Mom: "What's your pleasure?"
Julia: "It's my pleasure to be in charge."
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Here we go...
So I'm not really one for the whole "blog" thing... I don't really read blogs, follow blogs, or even like the word "blog" for that matter. BUT, I do enjoy a good challenge (a good word for my life right now!), which is why I'm here!
It seems as though right now my life is made up of a series of moments (sounds cliche, I know... hang with me on this...) - amusing (and sometimes not so) anecdotes that arise from my children. Life is FULL of humor when your days are spent with a 31/2 year old, 18 month old, and TWO 2 month olds (4 under 4, as my brother-in-law likes to remind me). The challenge (there's that word again!) is finding the humor, staying relaxed, maintaining order, raising decent human beings, stay standing, and remembering those key moments that make it all worth it - the moments to propel me into the next day (as if I have a choice, right?!?) It's a good thing that God has given me the four most beautiful little girls. Witty and charming, they are! Even my itty bitty babies!
All this to say: People are always telling me "You gotta write this stuff down! Your kids are too funny! You'll never remember all this unless you write it down." Then a friend recently said to me "You should write a blog! I'd totally read it! Life with four under four!" Well, Cheryl, I'll take on your challenge! Even if you are the only one to read it, this could be good for me... a mental unlaoding if nothing else. Am I going to write every day? Seriously doubtful... Every week? Probably not.... Monthly? Sounds do-able.... Yearly? What would be the point....? Whatever the case, here it is: random, raw, unplugged if you will. Stay tuned if you'd like...
It seems as though right now my life is made up of a series of moments (sounds cliche, I know... hang with me on this...) - amusing (and sometimes not so) anecdotes that arise from my children. Life is FULL of humor when your days are spent with a 31/2 year old, 18 month old, and TWO 2 month olds (4 under 4, as my brother-in-law likes to remind me). The challenge (there's that word again!) is finding the humor, staying relaxed, maintaining order, raising decent human beings, stay standing, and remembering those key moments that make it all worth it - the moments to propel me into the next day (as if I have a choice, right?!?) It's a good thing that God has given me the four most beautiful little girls. Witty and charming, they are! Even my itty bitty babies!
All this to say: People are always telling me "You gotta write this stuff down! Your kids are too funny! You'll never remember all this unless you write it down." Then a friend recently said to me "You should write a blog! I'd totally read it! Life with four under four!" Well, Cheryl, I'll take on your challenge! Even if you are the only one to read it, this could be good for me... a mental unlaoding if nothing else. Am I going to write every day? Seriously doubtful... Every week? Probably not.... Monthly? Sounds do-able.... Yearly? What would be the point....? Whatever the case, here it is: random, raw, unplugged if you will. Stay tuned if you'd like...
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