How Do You Do It?!?

If we had a penny for every time we were told "I don't know how y'all do it" ... 

wait; actually I should say if we could have a diaper for every time we're asked that, 

then we'd be SET! :)

The bottom-line, most truthful, honest answers are: 

1. LOVE.  Not only because our hearts are overwhelmed with love for these three girls, but because the Lord has filled our hearts with HIS love and THAT is where we daily find our strength, patience, energy, & encouragement.

2. PERSPECTIVE. Yes, we have hard days (weeks, months, ...).  Yes, our house looks condemnable some days.  Yes, we're exhausted some days to the point of getting snippy with each other.  We have to say no to a lot of "extras"- nights out, trips, dinners, dates, shopping, etc.  We are likely to cause chaos wherever we go with someone crying/whining/pitching a fit. Etc., etc. etc., the list goes on & on... 

BUT 

*this* is what we get in return!  And we'd never, ever change that.  And, in addition, many of the people in our lives are in the same boat (with little kiddos) as we are... we're definitely not the only ones.  {And sometimes just knowing that in itself is a big boost of encouragement}.

As well as knowing that our "hard" days are still HUMONGOUS blessings... all it takes is one quick look elsewhere and I know I've got nothing to worry/cry/complain about.

3. FAMILY. We are surrounded on every side with so much support and love.  Not only do our parents, grandparents, sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces, and nephews, and aunts and uncles love us; they give us undivided, unimaginable amounts of time in watching the girls, praying for us, and spending precious time with us.  The feeling of knowing that it is their JOY... that it's actually something they ENJOY doing is the most wonderful gift they could ever give us. We don't take a single one for granted!

So here is how our craziness usually looks!

If we can't make it to the gym (due to runny noses, not getting out of the door on time, etc.) this is my default way of getting in a 30-minute workout video... they eat a bag of candy inside the coffee table so I can exercise :)

Snuggle fun before bedtime... the more books, blankets, and giggles the better!

B loves to sit with her girls while we wait in car line at school

Oh the grocery store! It's always an adventure! We can only shop at Target or Publix because they have these nifty extra seating carts.  And they always get away with getting to eat cookies to keep them occupied while we shop.  And often, we run out of room and have to stop when we're about to loose a baby under all the food!

I have a feeling they're all going to like when they're told
"wanna go wake your sister up?!"

We LOVE playing with cousins!!!  Silly, silly girls.