Sit Down And Play With Me Mommy

Today was a I slept in till 9 and woke up to half eaten cookies on the living room floor, toothpicks strewn all through the house and the boys rolling out my yoga mat to use as a train track.
"Sit down and play with me Mommy!" Jackson says in the sweetest voice. He looked up at me with his big eyes. And let me tell you, it is really hard to be mad at a sweet little boy asking you to play with him. I didn't hear them running through the house making mischief this morning and I said "I don't have time right now Jackson. I have to clean up the mess." I didn't realize how detrimental this can be to a 3 year old. You are their world and he asked me into his world for just a moment and I turned it down.

I left the room and stood there for a moment asking myself what I just did.

As funny as it sounds I forgot how to play with my kids.

I forgot how to sit and have fun.

I forgot that for a moment I needed to focus on the most important thing in my life.

As I grabbed a train I sat down next to Jackson and Titus they start telling me about the trains and their colors.
Titus can tell you the name of every Thomas the train and color. He has a fantastic memory. Titus was telling me which train I was holding. As I studied the train I started to think about my to-do list. Oh is my to-do list never ending. Things started running through my mind of what I had to do.

But it will be there tomorrow.

Jackson and Titus will only be little for a short time. And when they get older I will long for those days that they asked me to sit down and play with them.

So I decided that the laundry can wait yet another day. The busyness of my life can be put on hold for yet another day.

Mommies of small children let me tell you to enjoy them. ENJOY THEM! Gabe and Carter are 17 and 14. I remember when they were little. It seems like a dream sometimes. I say in my mind I wish I did this or that with them. But now they are older and I can't go back. Nothing last forever.

I know you are tired.

I know your time is valuable.

But I also know you love your kids and would do anything for them.

So sit down mommy! And play with them!

Your Opinion Doesn't Always Matter

It always seems like no matter where you go someone has an opinion. About everything. It's not healthy trying to please everyone. You will drain all the life out of yourself if you continue to do so. Constant approval-seeking forces you to miss out on the beauty of simply being yourself. I have never fallen into the trap of what others thought of me. Honestly, I just don't care.

However, recently it has come to my attention that there are people who think that even though my children are here on this earth I shouldn't have had that many. Sometimes I want to ask "So which one would you get rid of?" It seems though people have an opinion all of the time and they feel that they can share their opinion with me.

I will start by saying I feel my family is wonderful and beautiful just the way God created them! It was a conviction of ours to have as many as the Lord would give us. Say what you want but we felt this was the right decision. I will reiterate that Brian and I felt like it was the right decision for our family and we wanted to let God into every aspect of our lives.

So in my children's defense I'd like to answer a few questions I get. I often have relatives that ask these rude questions. Even if you are a relative of someone that has a big family, it is NOT ok to ask these questions! Have some respect and couth please.

• I am not catholic or mormon! I am Christian seeking to do the Lord's will.

• Are you done? I am not sure if I am done however I feel it's rude to ask that question especially because I had a uterine rupture and am pretty sure I am done. It brings an aching to my heart when people ask me this question but because most people have no apathy and they couldn't care less that they are breaking my heart every time it's asked. 

• Are you crazy?? Yes have you met me!

• Do you know what causes that? Yes I know what causes children because that is called sex and it's what God gave to married couples to enjoy. So yes I know what causes that! And hey, when you are really good at something you might as well keep doing it ;)

• Do they all have the same father? I know it's surprising to you when I say yes that they are all by the same man and I don't have any "baby daddies" but I assure you they all look like their dad and nothing like me. 

• No I am NOT on welfare. My husband works diligently to provide a wonderful life for us. And he has done an amazing job at making us comfortable. 

• Eight!?! You really have eight?? No I'm lying cause it's fun!

• Even though I have eight doesn't give you the right to call me "Octomom" Because genius the oldest is 17 and the youngest is 13 months. So they weren't all born the same time.

• How do you feed all of them? I think the answer you are looking for is "Food!"

So yes I know you have opinions and want to share. Thank you for having an interest in us! 

So yes my house is chaotic and loud but I am blessed beyond measure with the most amazing husband and the most amazing kids. I wouldn't have it any other way. My life is full of kisses, hugs, laughter and so much love. It's not roses all the time. We have our ups and downs just like any family. I know you are curious about us and our life and how we do things but have some respect! Love us from a distance :)