Calm in the Craze: February 2013

People ask me how it's going with three. The first month went pretty smoothly, mainly because Grant slept most of the time. Well, he's awake now...

Here's some glimpses of our new life:

Grant cries a lot...pretty much every minute he is awake. Ethan told me the other day that "he's really not a fan of Grant yet." He wants to be held all of the time and sometimes that's not even enough. Our other two were fussy so I know he will get better in a couple months.

I have now shoplifted at Target...not only once...but twice. Items seem to get hidden somewhere behind Grant's car seat. It doesn't help that I am so distracted by corralling the other two, the crying, whining, the items falling out of the cart, my list, and just trying to get out as soon as possible. The ironic part is while I'm at customer service paying for an item found after our last trip, I discover a new item that slipped by after I had just checked out...talk about embarrassing. Note to self: only take all three shopping if it is a dire emergency.

Our house...well let's just say there's a new standard of clean around here. I am attempting to get my toilets and kitchen floor cleaned each week. Other than that I'm just trying to clear a path through the clutter and laundry.

Leaving the house...this is so much work now that most of the time I choose staying home. I used to love getting out but now that involves so much preparation that it's just not worth it. I did find myself volunteering to pick up the pizza the other night just so I could have 15 minutes of alone time in the car. I even sat in the garage upon my return to get an extra 5 :)

Ethan and I have found ourselves so tired some nights that we could be in bed by 9 if the kids would let us. On multiple occasions we have looked at each other both thinking "how did we get here?"

So that's our new life. I only write this all down so that I remember what life was like with three young children. I know this is only temporary and I love them to pieces. They do grow up and it happens fast. One day they will all be grown: the baby who needs held, the little girl who leaves scraps of paper and crayons all over my house, and the little boy who asks me everyday to make cookies "with the mixer."

I have been meditating on Psalm 103 lately,

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all His benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

May I continually remind myself of all His benefits!