It's just before 6:00am when my eyes flutter open. I close them and tell my subconscious to keep thinking it's night time so that Joseph doesn't sense that I'm already awake and decide it's time to get up. Of course, a few minutes later I hear the boys door blast open and Hyrum's feet run across the hallway and to my bedside. I pull him in for a quick snuggle before Joseph loudly protests from his crib. Soon all of the children are awake and want breakfast pronto. Since I've been avoiding the grocery store until we absolutely need to go there was no hope of pouring them cereal and curling up on the couch. I switch on my griddle, crack three eggs onto a plate, and slice some bread for french toast. Within a few minutes our whole house smells of cinnamon. I hear the faucet turn on upstairs. Daddy is awake now. The children are little blurs running around the kitchen, full of energy and ready to seize the day. I sit them down at the table with a warm breakfast and watch them eat. It feels good to be able to provide for them. And it's all thanks to Daddy who works so hard for us at the office. When he comes downstairs he is warmly welcomed by all of our littles. He eats, kisses us all good-bye and heads to work for the day.
After breakfast is done we make our way upstairs to get dressed. The older two have already begun a game of pretend with some small toys they have already brought up from the basement. Joseph reads books in his crib while I get ready and make my bed. Then I help the older two with their morning chores, asking for the millionth time for them to get dressed and assisting them while they make their beds. We then kneel for family prayer in one of their bedrooms. Joseph plops on his bum, smiles wide, and folds his chubby little hands while Hyrum prays a sweet little prayer. After everyone has been blessed in the family (some of us twice) he closes his prayer and I am tackled to the floor in a big group hug. When those moments happen, I feel so so blessed. I love when things click and our day goes along without too many hitches.
By the time 8:00am rolls around the whole upstairs is tidy and the children are asking for a snack since breakfast was "SOOO long ago". After their bellies are happy again, I move the chairs out of the kitchen so I can mop the floor. The
littles quickly turn the group of chairs into a tent and begin a game of
camping and hiking in the entryway. I mop the floor, knowing it will be
crummy and sticky again by lunch. When the floor is dry, I move the chairs from the front entry and we go for a brisk walk to the mail box. We wave at our neighbours as the littles skip along, hand in hand. Once we return, we head to the toys for a morning of imaginative play. I love sitting there with them and observing how they interact with one another. I slip upstairs to grab some laundry and come back to Hyrum fast asleep. His upper body is on the couch while his toes rest on the floor and his arms dangle off the edge. It's not even lunch time yet and my little guy who claims he's "too big to nap" is fast asleep. I pull him onto the couch and he curls his body up as I cover him in a blanket. Joseph grins at me from across the room and my heart totally melts. Every time he wraps his chubby fingers around mine my soul is awakened and I am overcome with joy and love. I scoop him up and kiss his face all over while he giggles in my ear and tangles his fingers in my hair. Being a mother is the best job in the world I say.
For lunch the littles request "Samiches" with peanut butter and jelly. Within minutes they are all gobbled up, except for the crusts which Camilla always leaves behind on her plate. I smile as I clear the table. Joseph keeps me company and babbles my ear off while I work. I wash his hands and face for the tenth time and set him free to play. He toddles at my feet while I tidy the kitchen, exploring the cupboards and spilling his drink here and there. He hugs my leg for a brief moment while I wash the dishes and extreme love and gratitude overcomes me. I am so glad that little guy is mine.
The afternoon brings friends and more playing. It makes me happy to see my children get along with others. In the late afternoon I start dinner and the children go outside to play. The ground is still soaked from all of the rain, but the sun has warmed the air. It doesn't take long before their boots are caked with mud and fingers and faces are dirty, but they are having fun. I call them in to wash for dinner and they tell me all about their adventures while we eat. I am surprised because they actually eat their plates clean. Sweet and sour ribs, rice/quinoa, broccoli and cheese sauce might become a more frequent meal around here. I am so pleased that they each get a small bowl of ice cream while I tidy the table.
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| (If you look closely you'll see Joseph's chubby toe prints on my table) |
After dessert the sun is still shining brightly and begging us to go outside. We stay out until close to bed time. I take Joseph in for a bath and let the older two enjoy their time on the trampoline without having to be careful of their baby brother. I crack the window in my bedroom upstairs so that I can hear them while I bathe Joe. I smile as I wipe dirt from his nose and listen to the older two giggle in the distance. Then they come in for the night, ready for a warm bath and clean jammies.
And now here we are at days end. One kid asleep and the older two snuggled up to a bedtime movie. Toys are strewn all over the basement and dishes are piled high on my counters. I plan to tackle it all after the littles are in bed and while Mr. Stannix is on his way home from work. Bedtime is my favorite time and I always sigh a breath of relief after I've had the pleasure of tucking in the last kid for the night (after the second potty break and third request for water). I am tired, but in good spirits. I feel so blessed to be a Mamma and be able to be at home with these kids day in and day out.
