I always want this blog to represent happy memories so that if I never complete Jean-Margaret and Abe's baby books, we have a sturdy flow of pictures and stories to refer to. Usually I try to let the difficulties roll out of my mind when I sit down to type, but today that just seems impossible. Don't get me wrong-- there is no mistaking that our month has been filled with amazing moments--a wonderful 4th of July, a fun week at the beach, my first surf lesson, some priceless visits with old friends, and some wonderful memories in our own home. There is no doubt we have uncountable blessings that leave my heart overflowing with joy. Yet there is something very raw about the way Evans and I have both learned to function around having three small children that leaves me experiencing a new level of exhaustion. Yes we are sleeping through the night but even with a good night's sleep and 4 cups of coffee, its nearly impossible to always keep tabs on three tiny mobile human beings. I constantly strain my eyes to have an eye on all three at once...I push myself physically to attempt to have three arms at once. My brain is constantly sifting through three other schedules, emotions, and priorities before my own. Sometimes our commitment to each other and our children is the only thing left at the end of the day and I am so grateful for that foundation. A "normal" day is challenging to say the least, but if you add an ear infection, teething, fevers, viruses, and random behavioral shifts into the mix -- well... that's when you have to dig as deeply as you can, let your other children see you smile, and attempt with your grittiest effort to gracefully navigate your day. My new mantra: lets just keep everyone alive around here...happiness is always icing on the cake :)
Here are some wonderful pictures to balance the joys with the difficulties.
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| This needs a caption... Evans and Jae doing some night swimming in the sound :) |
This video below is already outdated! Abe is full-force crawling faster than any of us can keep up with. You blink: he's poking his fingers around the outlets and pulling on cords...he will pull up and cruise onto anything his level. (Repeat mantra here: Lets just keep everyone alive ;)
