Keeping it Real

Life with 4 kids is busy and chaotic. But so much fun. They make us laugh, keep us young, and remind us to keep it real. We have only been a family of 6 for two weeks but I have already learned some lessons on our new reality.

1. 60% of my house is clean and clutter-free. Don't ask to see the other 40% for at least the next 10 years. There will be a time in my life when everything is in it's place. Now is NOT that season. I am working hard to be ok with this. I like things neat. I enjoy vacuuming. However, organizing a play-room is absolutely futile in my world. I have seriously considered taking our clothes to the laundromat. The idea of having multiple loads of laundry washing and drying at the same time is hard to resist. I am learning to deal with the idea that I will always be 5 loads behind.

2. 3 floor length mirrors + a badly lit dressing room + a 2 week postpartum body = A BAD idea
If you ever consider doing this, let me give you some sound advice. (Yes, I did this. Lesson learned.) You do not need new jeans. You definitely do not need a new bathing suit- even if you plan to go to the beach in the next month. Wear a cover-up. Wear sweat pants. But for goodness sake- Do not try on bathing suits 2 weeks after delivery especially in front of mirrors that allow you to see yourself from every angle.

3. The best way for my husband to express his love is by changing the middle of the night diaper. It's the little things.

4. We have the best family and friends. They rock. They have shown us so much love and support over the last few weeks. They have brought food, watched our kids, and kept us company. God did not mean for us to do this life alone and we are so thankful for the people He has given us.

5. I could not be any happier. There is absolutely nothing that could be better than this life.

Pop tart Kisses

We are all in love with this little girl. She has stolen our hearts. Every single one of us. She is such a sweet baby and has brought so much joy into our lives.

I am incredibly thankful that God gave us Ruby Kate. She is a daughter of the King and I praise Him for her. I am so grateful that I get to be her momma.

I never think I can love my husband anymore and then we have a baby. Again and again, I fall deeper in love with this man as I watch him with our babies. He is smitten with baby girl. Over protective. Madly in love. It makes me that much more crazy about him. 

I was slightly concerned about bringing a new baby into our world of rough and tough boys. I quickly found I had absolutely no reason to worry. Our boys love their sister and are so amazingly good with her. Even tiniest boy, who I did not know had a gentle bone in his body, is careful with Ruby Kate. He is quick to put her pacifier in when she cries and is so attentive to her needs.

Manning asked me everyday for months when I was going to have Ruby Kate and he was beside himself with excitement the day she was born. His teacher told me that he journals about her all the time!

Of the three, Myers is the most "into" his baby sister. He constantly helps me take care of her and always wants to hold her. Just this morning, as soon as he finished breakfast, he asked to hold her. As I laid her in his lap, he covered her face with kisses. A few minutes later, I noticed she had pop tart crumbs all over her forehead. Sweet boy left evidence of his love.

We are so incredibly blessed with the gift of our 4 children. God is so good. So faithful.