Yep!
I laughed out loud when I came across this blog... I find myself giving this answer a lot when I'm out and about with all three girls (which has been a frequent occurrence this week, because N is done with preschool for the year).
Like the author of the blog above, I'm finding that three children (albeit very close in age) is the magic number at which strangers will usually raise an eyebrow. I would get the occasional "Boy, you've got your hands full!" when it was just N and L, but not nearly as often as I do now. And rightly so; it is true. I've got my hands full.
It is nice that most folks will add, "They're beautiful!" or "They're so well-behaved!" or, one of my favorites: "They've got their mother's good looks." (Should I be pleased to hear that coming from an older gentleman at the grocery store? I haven't decided yet...)
Sure, there are many moments when I get the "stop-the-world-I-want-to-get-off" feeling. Like the moments when the timer is ringing and signaling supper needs to come out of the oven, while at the same time C is waking up from her nap and crying to be nursed, while at the same time N needs help in the potty, while at the same time L has spilled Cheerios all over the floor. These are the moments when I can physically feel the tension rising in my throat, and, depending on my mood and energy level, sometimes I just want to curl up and cry myself.
But somehow, by the grace of God I think, those moments are somewhat rare. Most times, I'm loving my girls. I'm loving the rhythm of our days-- busy mornings, nappy afternoons, eventful supper times, and the peace and quiet of post-kid-bedtime evenings spent with my best friend (if we don't crash right after the kids go to bed, that is!). I'm loving the constant moving, the macaroni-and-cheese lunches, the thrill of new discoveries, the problem-solving, the pride in new accomplishments, the little hands reaching for mine. Most times, what I feel rising in my throat is the joy of knowing that I am blessed in my family.
Sure, I could use more time to myself, but I get enough. When I really think about it, I don't feel deprived. I don't feel nearly as frazzled as the strangers in the grocery store or at the playground or at the library seem to think I should be. Again, this is purely the grace of God. I'm not at all trying to pat myself on the back here; on the contrary, I think it's even more miraculous because I know it's not my own strength that has given me this joy. God has given me the help I have needed.
Yep, they are all mine. And I love them so. I wouldn't trade them for the world.
Like the author of the blog above, I'm finding that three children (albeit very close in age) is the magic number at which strangers will usually raise an eyebrow. I would get the occasional "Boy, you've got your hands full!" when it was just N and L, but not nearly as often as I do now. And rightly so; it is true. I've got my hands full.
It is nice that most folks will add, "They're beautiful!" or "They're so well-behaved!" or, one of my favorites: "They've got their mother's good looks." (Should I be pleased to hear that coming from an older gentleman at the grocery store? I haven't decided yet...)
Sure, there are many moments when I get the "stop-the-world-I-want-to-get-off" feeling. Like the moments when the timer is ringing and signaling supper needs to come out of the oven, while at the same time C is waking up from her nap and crying to be nursed, while at the same time N needs help in the potty, while at the same time L has spilled Cheerios all over the floor. These are the moments when I can physically feel the tension rising in my throat, and, depending on my mood and energy level, sometimes I just want to curl up and cry myself.
But somehow, by the grace of God I think, those moments are somewhat rare. Most times, I'm loving my girls. I'm loving the rhythm of our days-- busy mornings, nappy afternoons, eventful supper times, and the peace and quiet of post-kid-bedtime evenings spent with my best friend (if we don't crash right after the kids go to bed, that is!). I'm loving the constant moving, the macaroni-and-cheese lunches, the thrill of new discoveries, the problem-solving, the pride in new accomplishments, the little hands reaching for mine. Most times, what I feel rising in my throat is the joy of knowing that I am blessed in my family.
Sure, I could use more time to myself, but I get enough. When I really think about it, I don't feel deprived. I don't feel nearly as frazzled as the strangers in the grocery store or at the playground or at the library seem to think I should be. Again, this is purely the grace of God. I'm not at all trying to pat myself on the back here; on the contrary, I think it's even more miraculous because I know it's not my own strength that has given me this joy. God has given me the help I have needed.
Yep, they are all mine. And I love them so. I wouldn't trade them for the world.
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