List Maker

I'm in that t- minus 3o day event season crunch. The season where I make 1,000 lists and they are scattered in my brain and on my phone. I can't focus, I can't think, I can't listen and I can't speak. I'm constantly running down my to-do's like today is my last. I stare at people when they talk because I can't really hear them because the stupid lists are running all over my brain like post it notes with legs. 

My intentional parenting has sort of stunk up the place lately. My back has been hurting and my days are long. I put off a back injection and can barely lift my left leg. Videos like monsters inc have grown hot in the DVD player, if you know what I mean. Today I felt like the biggest failure because while I was running from meeting to meeting- Riggs was at the doctors office with Alissa. Epic fail. I knew he was off/not feeling well but had no fever. I made the appt late Thursday because I just had one of those mommy guts and didn't want to enter the weekend wishing I had taken him. Sweet aunt Jill stepped in and sat the other two while Sissa took Riggs. So while I jotted down logistics notes from my meeting I was looking at texts about Riggs having a double ear infection. Poor piggy and I wasn't  even there to love on him.

I try hard to release myself and say I'm doing the best I can- but no amount of "go get em" relieves me of the vice of being their one and only.  That sounds dramatic but us mommas take this job pretty seriously.

I think weekends are our do overs, our make up sessions. So today is Friday and I'm going to make the next two days, count. I plan on playing outside, hitting the zoo; enjoying a few meals out and kissing these three {and their daddy} a whole bunch. I'm gonna recharge and put the list making to rest.

Yesterday someone asked me what work looked like these days and I literally vomited a ton of "I got all this stuff to do" and when I left her I thought "why don't you calm down and when people ask, say- I'm really busy but you won't even believe how blessed I feel to tell people about a mission every single day-that saved my kids!" 

So next week I plan on hitting Monday with a smile on my face and a stamp of approval on my heart. It's too good to complain about.

For now the only list I'm making is what we plan on doing all weekend.

Happy Friday friends. Sleep in. Eat some shipleys. 

Stay. Little.

September was a blurrrrrr. I don't know if my world was spinning or I was too busy watching these kids grow up- maybe a bit of both. Either way, it's been good. School has started, my event is next month, whit has settled into a brand new career and we've joined an amazing life group that we love. We've celebrated a gender reveal for Aunt Jill and Uncle Cameron, a NICU program launch that I'm extremely proud of and an 84th birthday for Mema Pat that included a party bus, cheeves brothers and some delicious food & cocktails!  September was good. 

(March of Dimes was listed in an article as one of the best working mom companies to work for- it truly is. I'm able to work full time and be with my family. Best. Move. Ever. So rewarding and truly a job with rich blessings. Feeling grateful for my opportunities and the appreciation I'm shown.)

We've been busy. Weekends filled with park visits, library time, the last of the pool and lots of out to eat adventures(we can't go back to ninfas). 

If this is terrible two's- I want two year old triplets forever. I'm inclined to say- this is easy, but afraid to say it due to fear of thrilling three's! Maybe we are just good at this whole multiples thing. 

Gianna Grace started dance and while she goes in willingly, we still struggle with being without the boys. She improves each week and I'm glad we've given her this freedom. I'm equally glad that the boys are spending some quality time with whit while we are at dance. I think because there have always been three of them, it's easy to forget that they need to be individuals too. 

School is still awesome. They are learning a ton and everyday they do something that makes me whirl around and ask, " did she just say that?" Or "did he just do that?" I love it, but miss those early days when they were predictable and couldn't do anything without me. They love me but don't need me all the time. I suspect that this will grow more frequent and soon no one will want to snuggle. Whoa, wait a minute- getting ahead of myself. 

Whit is learning what it's like to have a normal, happy- work life. What a difference a few months make. What spirit I see in that guy and what a blessing these changes have been for us. What a leader he is to our family. 

 He is part- time I swear! I haven't seen this much whit in 10 years. The kids love it and I love it. We all love it. We enjoyed some time away this month and had a Labor Day to remember. I can't help but be giddy about the holidays and how much time he will have off!!!

All summer I've worked in the nursery at church and I'm eager to get back into a fall routine of going to the service. I've missed it and have been " thirsty". Alissa has begun her homeschool program with the kids each weekday and part of that is bible memory verses. They have learned "Obey God"and are so proud when you ask them and they get to say it. My heart about leaps out of my chest when gg recites " I am in Him, He is in me and that's the way it will always be"... Bedtime is so special and I don't want to forget how gg and Becker lie down and want to be covered. How gg takes those two (poty) ponies to bed with her. I miss their -little- everyday. Yes, their little. I love how they are growing but I miss all the things they did when they were little. I call them babies when I refer to them but more and more people laugh when I say that and correct me. Are they not babies?

Is it over? They are two and that sounds ridiculous but I mourn those days. I will for sure be stupid sad when they turn 10, 18, 21 , get married... Oh shoot, stop clock, stop. We are having so much fun that I don't want this feeling to end. It's everything I wanted it to be. I knew it would be awesome but dang!!... This is too good. The hard days are nothing compared to this joy. Nothing compared to hearing my own heart beat inside of my chest. He has given me the keys to the kingdom. 

Gianna your shy smile and your hives remind me so much of myself. You are so confident yet so careful. I love the joy I see in your heart and how proud you are to please others.

 Riggs you push me to be stronger. You push my limits but you are the first to show me deep love. You are a leader and you make me smile every single day.

Becker, my little guy with the biggest spirit. You will do amazing things and show everyone what a good friend is and will always choose kindness over greed. 

I'm so proud. Proud to be living this life with you kids. You will always be my babies- I don't care what anyone thinks. I'm so happy I fought to put in three. It really was- our turn. Dr. Selah said that with confidence. None of us knew how true it would be. I can't imagine life without one of you. Three legged table. It's good. So good. 

I'm loving this cooler weather. Can't wait to flip the calendar month! It's about to get good y'all. Happy Fall!