A Lifetime of Love

I am the mother of 5 children. Most days I still cannot believe it, although reality hits when I am being pulled in different directions by 5 needy children. I have been thinking lately about how to "enjoy my children" as I have been told numerous times by well-intentioned, and much wiser, friends. But, honestly, I have no idea how to do that. It is something I have struggled with for years, and as my kids get older, the more I miss out on, or so it seems. I just can't seem to grasp how to balance all of my responsibilities: wife, mother, chef, laundress, chauffeur, maid, and many others that I can't seem to think of off-hand. Don't get me wrong, I love Taylor Ann and am so thankful for all that God has taught me through her short time with our family. I am just struggling even more to find time to do even the simplest of everyday tasks (like showering!!) even more so now that she is here. But today during Sunday School, a thought occurred to me that was very enco...

Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The day God chose for Taylor Ann to make her debut into the world. I started to have contractions just as preschool dismissal began, around noon. They weren’t very close, happening only about once every 10-15 minutes or so. Once I got home, I told TJ I wasn’t feeling well. He offered to take the afternoon off but since the contractions weren’t unbearable or close together, I assured him it was okay to go back to work and I would call him around 4pm to give him an update. Plus, Teagan has therapy on Wednesday so her EI, Crystal, would be here with me for an hour if something drastically changed and I needed to go to the hospital. He agreed and off he went! During Teagan’s therapy, I mainly sat on the couch and relaxed because I just did not feel well. Every movement caused me to have a contraction and as anyone who has had children knows, they are painful! =) Crystal left about 2:30 and I loaded the kids up in the van and we picked up Th from school, returning...

I have to share how good the Lord has been to TJ and I over the past couple of weeks. . . About a month ago, I found out some friends from church were planning a baby shower for me. I was utterly surprised, to say the least. The shower was a couple of weeks ago and was wonderful! It was a scrapbook theme in which each guest decorated a scrapbook page, and at the end of the shower, I had a complete album for Taylor's first year. The scrapbook is gorgeous! Some of the pages are very elaborate and others are very simple; it is a nice balance and something I could have never completed on my own. The best part of the album is that each lady signed her name on the back so I know who created each page. I love it and will cherish it always! I will admit I got emotional during the shower simply at the thoughtfulness and planning of each person in attendance. Each guest not only created a scrapbook page, but they prepared dishes to share and just the fact that they came meant so much to me!...

I found this article on my friend Renee's blog and I thought it was very true, so I wanted to share it here, too. I copied the article and included my thoughts in italics. ;) From the National Catholic Register By: Matthew Archbold Why Big Families Might Be Easier A woman said to me recently that my five children were very well behaved. It’s one of the best things I can hear so I thanked her. Then she asked me “how do you do it with so many?” I told her that I don’t think I’d be a very good parent of one child or two. She didn ’t believe my answer but honest to goodness, I sometimes think that having many children is easier than just one. Why big families are easier: Patience. I never have to teach patience. My children know that I can’t drop everything for them if I have a baby in my arms. Depending on the time of day, I may or may not have a baby in my arms. However, no matter what time it is, I often find myself saying, "You're going to have to wait." And than...

I had my routine doctor visit this morning. Weight gain is good (only about 21 pounds) and Taylor sounds great, the only concern was some protein in my urine. The doctor wasn't overly concerned because my blood pressure was normal, but in all of my other 4 pregnancies I've never had this. I suppose I am more concerned because of what my sister just experienced (same symptoms- protein in the urine but normal b/p). She ended up being hospitalized for 3 days before finally being induced. As much as I am ready to meet Taylor and end this pregnancy, I don't want it to be under those circumstances. I also have an ear infection, which is no fun. So do Teagan and T.G. We are all 3 on antibiotics although now tonight T.G. started running a fever. I'm not sure what to think now! I am hoping we are all feeling better by the time Monday rolls around. I've been sick since mid-January and I am ready to move on and get well!! The doctor also reminded me that I could potentially be...

I realize it’s been a couple of weeks since my last post, and I thought I would take a moment to share what’s been happening around our house. . . Th lost another tooth so he is now missing both of his front teeth. He looks so cute!! They have both been loose since before Christmas, and he lost the first one a few days after New Year’s. Now that both are gone, some of his words sound strange and I kid him that Teagan now has more teeth than he does. He just smiles his toothless grin and gives me a hug. Teagan started speech therapy and I already love her therapist Susan. She is very much “special ed” so I get what she says. I can talk to her and she knows what I mean-- I love it!! Right now we are working on feeding issues, meaning we are trying to get Teagan to accept different textures of food. For instance, when feeding her peach yogurt, Teagan will manage to swallow the yogurt and spit out the tiny specs of peaches. I know it’s not related to taste because Teagan loves pureed peach...

As I have shared before, I have been learning a lot over the past few months about trusting God, particularly in uncertain times. The Lord continues to allow circumstances in my life to force me to rely on Him even though it is often very difficult. Why is it so difficult? It’s not because God isn’t faithful. It’s also not because God means evil or harm for my life. No, it’s because I’m impatient and have my own plan on how things should be. Also, because I am human and can’t predict the future, I can’t see the many details the Lord is working out in my life, appearing as if nothing is happening when in truth it's just a matter of trusting in the Lord to handle the small details. Our house has been on the market for about 3 months. Honestly I expected to have been moved into a bigger house already. I thought we’d be settled in and preparing to welcome Taylor. Now, with no more than 11 weeks before Taylor makes her grand entrance into the world (probably more like 7 or 8), I am stre...