"Four?!? Wow, you must be BUSY!"

When people ask me how many kids we have, the look on their face and the surprise in their voice when I say "four" just makes me smile. I never imagined that one day Jason & I would have 4 babies & I thought that I never wanted to have that much to do. For the most part, those selfish days are over and I find myself strangely serene about it all. Don't get me wrong, I have my days of overwhelming, hair-pulling, jaw-clenching moments, but overall, I am surprised by how much better it gets with each baby. Chalk it up maybe to experience, or even a growing maturity, but my alone time with Ian is spent much differently than when it was just AJ.

Yesterday while the older 3 helped Daddy in the garage, Ian & I worked in the garden & then laid on a blanket in the neighbor's fluffy grass, under the shade of a beautiful maple tree, gazing up at the clouds in the bright blue sky. Not something I took time to do early in my parenting journey. It was a blessed moment and the peace I found with that was priceless & I find myself looking forward to it more everyday. Yes, we are "busy", but it's a good way to be busy, and actually, they have helped me to slow down more mentally & enjoy the simple pleasures.