"I'm a Freak" Badge

So I haven't had a computer because it cashed a few weeks ago, and I only get access to one some nights and the weekends. This makes it very difficult to keep up on my blog. Also because my computer crashed I don't have pictures right now, but its a good thing for facebook because I can upload them there for everyone to see. Shoot- I just remembered I had free shutterfly prints I needed to use by October 31! I hate when that happens. I just wish I would never remember at all! Oh well... life goes on. Anyway, one day I will post pictures and liven up this blog... but in the mean time I will continue to write about the stories of my days and you will just have to check out my FB page if you want to see in pics, the joys of my life.

I have to just start out by saying that being a mom of 3 kids under 3- and now I am watching another little girl, just about to turn 2- is a lot of work! It is so hard to get out of the house or keep anything cleaned while I am home. As soon as one room is cleaned the children have managed to completely destroy another room, if I clean that room, the room I just cleaned previously is now hit by the hurricane of children! And you can forget about organizing anything with the kids around. When I organize I have to pull everything out of what I am organizing, and the kids want to "help" by going through everything I have pulled out and finding another use for it, than what it is meant to be used for. For example, if I am to organize a closet ... my living room is scattered with everything that needs to go in the closet. So... I try to do that kind of stuff at night or during nap time when the kids are asleep. BUT, that means I don't get to watch TV and sit in meaningless thought to decompress. I need that from time to time... Then there is leaving the house. I get everyone dressed, Lenore's hair pulled up, and myself descent enough to be scene in public- make-up on half the time, depending on how entertained I can get my kids on a show that morning-  diaper bag packed: wipes, diapers, clean underwear and pants, water, formula, bottle, binkies, snacks, and wallet. Diapers changed. Carlyle goes potty. Hudson barfs on himself, new clothes on. Lenore poops right before walking out the door, change her again. Hustle everyone in the car- buckle everyone in car seats- it takes about 5-7 minutes. I then come back inside the house- completely exhausted at this point and generally running late to wherever I need to be- and pick up toys and do a quick clean. Many times I leave the house a mess if I a going to an appointment or something. Anyway, it is at least a 60 minute process depending on where I need to go. If I could pick the one thing I miss about not having kids is the ability to come and go as I please. I have realized about myself that I am NOT really a home body. I like leaving my house and going and doing, but it is so much work to do it with 3-4 kids. I don't get out as much as I would like.

I can really only run 1 errand where the kids have to get out of the car because of the work it takes to get them out and put them back in. I generally don't like going places without a cart because I need a place to contain them all. I made the horrifying mistake a few weeks ago to go to Old Navy by myself with all four kids. Now,I wear the "I'm a freak!" badge with honor, but even this was a whole new level of "what the heck is that mom doing?" I thought Old Navy had regular carts, I could put Hudson in the front and the 3 others in the back and grab the one pair of pants I needed for Carlyle. Well... they don't have regular carts, they have stupid little carts that have a small basket on top and a small basket on bottom. I was able to squeeze  the baby carrier on top (which you aren't supposed to do), and -this is where I look extra special people!- I stuff Lenore in the bottom cart! (which you also aren't supposed to do) Yep! It is sometimes nice to have such a small little child. She didn't like it much, and I don't think the Old Navy staff did either, but what choice did I have? I can not herd the cattle of 3 kids, I was surely pushing it with the 2 walking. I was able to make it to the back of the store just fine, until Kara takes off running and Carlyle follows. They are getting too far for me to run and catch them with my already endangered children in the cart, so I have to raise my voice to get them to hear me and come back. Luckily for me, they are good kids and listen after only calling their names 4 times- sense the sarcasm. Well the chasing and grabbing things doesn't completely stop. I am causing a scene and I already hate unwanted attention, so I quickly grab what I need and head to the check out. By this time Lenore has had enough and is screaming and trying to climb out of the cart. Kara and Carlyle keep disappearing as I am trying to pay, and the check out lady has the nerve to ask me if I have 2 minutes to fill out a credit card application. Are you serious? Can you not see I wouldn't have 2 minutes to spare? I am kinda in the middle of something, you know? Herding my children...

Well we did all make it back in the car safe and sound and I am in for a much needed nap at this point and have decided I will NEVER go back to Old Navy with children... EVER! In fact many times, now that I have Kara, I drop Carlyle off at James's office and go do errands and come back and get him. He loves it and it's one less set of eyes and hands I need to have.

I took the kids down to Layton the other day to go for a little drive and get a change of scenery, we just went to the mall to play on the toys. I took my sister with me and she commented on how exhausted the kids made her. I can only laugh at her comment because I can relate, except it is every day of my life! Don't mistake this post as a complaint, because that is not at all what it is! I love being a stay at home mom and putting every ounce of energy I have into my children. It is just the reality of my situation, even though I enjoy my kids, it is sure tiring! Everything now takes 3Xs as long as it used to and with more emotional and physical strength and energy than I have ever had experience with. Although rewarding, the work involved is tough and draining and sometimes by the end of the week I just need a little break.

Thankfully for me I have the most wonderfully helpful husband! I don't give that man as much credit and appreciation as he deserves. I honestly don't know what I would do without him! He relieves me at the times I need it most and will take all 3 kids in his care- which a lot of men couldn't or wouldn't do. I am so grateful for him! He let's me get rest on the weekends if he can be home, and going out with the kids is actually fun! Even though any set of hands is helpful, his are the incomparable to any other! He always carries the car seat and gets the kids in and out of the car, he is always holding them or keeping them in line. I enjoy that we work together with the kids when we are out and I don't have to direct help or feel guilty for needing it...and I can ask him to do anything and he does it without complaint. He keeps my sanity and is such a good dad! Our children adore him and it makes me the most happy when we get those times together as a family getting to do something fun, because of all the hard work he puts in at his job. I wish I had that mans strength and I try to have his attitude to make the best of everything. He lets me unload my hard day  and calms my irrational stresses. Anyway, I love James and I love my kids, and even though it is tough some days to do the simple things, I have an amazing life and I wouldn't change anything about it or anyone in it!