Perspective

I was at the grocery store this afternoon, three kids in tow.  Colton doesn't like to be in a buckle, Bri has a difficult time staying by my side and Joshua loves to hang off the cart.  It makes for a challenging shopping trip.  So, as I'm standing in line holding Colton, who is continually screaming (not crying, just screaming) and arching back and flopping forward because he wants to get down I notice the lady in front of me.  She has one little baby, in a wrap snuggled up against her.  She's trying to unload her groceries and it isn't too difficult but is taking time.  The cashier starts to ask her

Cashier:  So, any surprises with motherhood?
Customer: Nope, not so far.
Cashier:  Is it harder than you expected it to be?
Customer:  Well, some things are easier, some things are harder.  It is much easier to go shopping without a baby, I have learned"

I'm sitting here thinking "oh just wait, there will be surprises.

The cashier says to her "It will get easier"

I think to myself "oh, when they move out?  Because I have 5 now, and just these three with me are way more difficult than having that one little baby snuggly wrapped in, not old enough to want down, or old enough to be climbing out of the cart"

And then as I'm bagging my groceries next to her I said "I love it, it's a lot of work, but I love it."  She echoed my sentiments.

Finally, I said "yeah, it's hard, but it is so worth it.....most days"

After leaving I thought about that.  "Most days??"  No, It is worth it Every. Single. Day.  Are there days when I want to throw my hands up and hide in my room?  Sure, Are there days when I get tired of cleaning up puke, and keeping clothing and bedding cleaned? Absolutely.  And there are even days when I think "I can not wait till they are older, because taking them to the store is such a pain now.

But you know, truth is....all of that is worth it.  These kids are only this small once.  At first I was embarrassed by Colton's screaming, but now I realize he's just a vocal kid.  Seriously vocal, and likes to let me know when he wants something.  But he will grow out of it and I will miss it.  I know I will.  I will miss the days the younger kids are pushing chairs around and scooting stools over to the counter to get into everything I am trying to bake with.

As I type this Colton is napping and bri is eating half my lunch because I set it down for a minute to type. I know I'll miss this.  I know that every minute of it, no matter how challenging, is so worth it.  That is truth.  And to say outloud to a new mother that it's worth it "most days" probably was not the smartest thing to say.
It is so worth EVERYTHING we go through as parents, to be that special person in your child's life.

And in they walked...

Every day...every school day that is.  I take the two boys to school, come home play with the three younger ones there's a little play a lot of Josh picking on Bri, Colton whining cause I can't hold him all day.  And then it's 12:15.  Time to take Josh to kindergarten.  Sometimes, my favorite part of the day.  I take him in, he's happy as can be because he LOVES school.  Then it's nap time for Colton.  All is so peaceful for the 3 hours all three boys are at school.  Colton naps, Bri and I read books, get housework done that I can't do with Colton awake, sometimes we just chill and watch a movie.  It's a beautiful thing, and I'm sort of glad that Brianna has an October birthday so we can do this for 3 more years before she starts school.  I love our quiet time.

And then 3:40 hits and all the peace and quiet I had....well.  It's gone.  Back to the hollering, bickering over toys, whining about having to do a chore or two, mad that they can't have an afternoon snack till they put their coat up on the coat rack and shoes away.  It's chaos.  Time for Homework, chores, play, figuring out dinner (because let's face it I don't always have dinner figured out ahead of time) and making sure kids are bathed and ready for bed on time.

That 4 hours and 20 minutes from the time the boys get home and the all the kids should be going to bed is often complete chaos.  But it gives us lots of moments of laughter, joy, happiness, and a complete satisfaction realizing that I wouldn't have it any other way.  Do I wish they wouldn't fight so much? Of course.  Do I wish laundry was not NEVER ENDING.  Absolutely.  But you know, I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Because it's a sign of happy healthy kids.  Kids that we, Ryan and I, created together.  It's a gift, truly.  I love that short window of time that we have together as a family every single day.  And yes,some days are
way more challenging than others.  So how do I get through those challenging days?  Chocolate.  And dancing in my living room with the kids.  Those two things (dance and chocolate) can make everything all better sometimes!

And those faces?  Who could resist loving those adorable kids?