The little things...

Today the doctor and I were snuggled up trying to take a little "nap". Not that the word "nap" in relation to us is even in our vocabulary. Sure the children we have, who all wake up ridiculously early, can snooze away in the early afternoon for two to three glorious hours. Our "nap", however, consists of one eye and one ear open at all times, numerous standing and sitting sessions, and countless dog piles by excited, fidgety children.
Never- the-less today the doctor and I were trying to "nap". After the fifth dog pile by the little ones he whispered to me, "Sometimes don't you wish it was just us?" My answer of course, "Oh, my gosh...Yes!!"
Lately, and I'm sure it has something to do with being pregnant, moody, and exhausted, I've had to remind myself again and again, "I'm living my dream. How lucky am I to be a stay at home mom! I'm living my dream." Just so you know, I am a very lucky stay at home mom. My children are fairly good. They play together well and even seem to like being together. The doctor is a wonderfully amazing husband and loving, patient dad. (No, the overuse of adjectives doesn't do him justice).

Today, for some reason, I kept thinking about that question the doctor asked me. We have always had strong impressions of when we should have our children, even with this last one (and yes, she's the last). Five children in just under seven years is, for lack of a better word, quick. We do look forward to being relatively young when our children are grown and gone, but that day seems far...far....far away.
As the day went along i realized that even with the day to day struggles and hardships of trying to raise this "gaggle" of little ones, I feel fortunate it isn't, "...just us".
I look at the way Lucie, Holly, and William interact, like they are all best friends. Having each other so early in their developmental years has made them a tight knit, loving group.

 I look at the way Jacob has to deal with so many younger siblings and realize just how loving it has made him. Ask him what he wants to be when he grows up and the first thing he says is, "A dad!" Whenever the little ones get in trouble or hurt, they look for Jacob to give them loves.

 Lucie is a sweetheart! She is always the first to thank me for lunch or dinner. The other day after I fixed her hair she gave me a hug and told me what a good mom I was. All I did was fix her hair!

 I laugh when Holly, who has some issues with pronunciation, tries to teach William new words and he follows along, giggling at the sounds she makes. Today, while she skipped her nap we watched a wedding show and she let me paint her toenails and fingernails pink.

 With William....you could never have an easier baby. Happy just to run around with the others. Happy just to be held and tickled. Happy just to be alive. He makes me laugh every time he calls the doctor "momma". His personality is that sunshiny, love everyone, be mellow and happy type.

Today as I updated the children's journals I went through our past photos and thought again about that question the doctor asked. "Sometimes don't you wish it was just us?" It would be nice to nap on a Sunday afternoon, to go on a vacation, to wear clothes that aren't used as a tissue or napkin, maybe even to have time, and money, for a hobby. Then I think of all those cute little moments we would have to miss out on. The spaghetti magically smooshed into ears. The girls taking their babies for a walk on the balcony, William following close behind with his bundled Woody doll. Jacob shouting that he can read "that word" on a sign or during a movie. Watching their crazy dance moves. Hearing their little giggles. Seeing their imaginative creations. Catching them being mischievious. These are the little things everyday that make the highs and lows of parenting a little more tolerable.
I know this may seem like a long rant, but I am glad for our little family. Grateful to, for a Heavenly Father who seems to know just when I need some enlightenment in my life. We are truly blessed!