Followers

In case you've missed me, I am blogging over here.

Since it's not just me and the Gross boys anymore, it seemed like time to change the blog title. Same style of blogging, same Gross family, just a new name. I've been blogging there for almost a year, and I just realized that I had over 60 followers on this blog, but only 7 on the new one. I don't want you all to miss out on all the fun happening over here. :) I've blogged about why we homeschool, my New Year's resolutions, and a three part series on things I love. Today I blogged about Will's burnt blankie and our random rashes. I know, now you can't resist! ;) But seriously, I hope you'll join me! :)

Followers

In case you missed it, I am blogging over here now. My new blog: Learning as We Grow...Growing as We Learn is about our family, and as the kids are getting older, that is including more post about our homeschooling journey. I blogged yesterday about Classical Conversations, and last week about our littlest blessing, Maggie, who is now 18 months old! I hope you'll join me over there and follow along. I love hearing from you! :)

New Blog

It's finally happened. I've moved to a new blog. You can check out why here. :)

Many Small Children, pt. 2

In my last post, I was focused on the overwhelming, all-consuming, demanding parts of being a mom of small kids. Every word of that post is true, and I would say that most days I would love to have someone help me in one of the ways I listed. However, since posting that I have been struck by the many incredible gifts of this time with little ones underfoot. I am praying that I will focus more and more on these gifts and less and less on the interruptions, inconveniences, and frustrations.

Here are a few of the gifts that I know won't last forever:

A little guy who wants to dress in costume for days to do everything:

The sheer joy of being able to climb onto a stool

 When they share their snacks:

  The being able to sleep ANYWHERE:

Or thinking it's funny to sleep on the snow:

The imagination:

Here he's saying, "Dino, please don't eat my sunglasses!" and then, "Thanks, Dino!"

and here he's "going to school" (obviously!)

The fun of "peek-a-boo!"

and of course, the snuggles

Obviously, I could go on...there's the silly voices, the mispronounced words, naptimes, etc...but I think you get the point. I'm truly thankful for each of my four kiddos and the various stages that they're in right now. Each stage, like each child, has it's challenges, but overall, there is much to enjoy about each one. I'm praying that God will give me the eyes to see the gifts in the moments that aren't what I would plan or that interrupt my schedule. That He would give me the grace for each moment, and the love that each kid needs, that they might be drawn to Him more and more each day. 

*Disclaimer, lest anyone think I'm too idealistic, I recognize that there will be moments of cleaning up poop, crying over spilled milk (literally and figuratively), frustation when shoes can't be found and we're late AGAIN. I'm just trying to remind myself that there are frustrations in every phase of life, and try to remember the truly special things that are surrounding me each day.

Many Small Children

A friend was just saying to me that before their fourth child was added to their family, she kept hearing moms say that going from 3 to 4 kids was not a big deal. They would say things like, "what's one more?" She and I both shook our heads knowingly at each other. I think at that point I said something like, "One more is a big deal!" And she wholeheartedly agreed. I think any mama with a little one or two has their hands full.

I'm not looking for sympathy here. I realize that we decided to have these children, and we truly do see them as a blessing from the Lord. And I believe that He gives me the grace that I need each day to figure out how to balance it all the best I can. However, I am partially writing this to hold myself accountable later. I want to remember that moms of small children need HELP. That little four letter word help can mean a whole lot of different things. Here are some things that I think it could mean that might apply in this case:

A drink (alcoholic or Starbucks-depending on the mama and possibly the time of day) 

A hot meal (that's kid friendly if it's for the entire family, or not if it's a specific meal for the mom herself)

A visit (with no judgement to the state of her house or her appearance)

A night out (with her hubby or with the girls)

An hour of peace and quiet

A gift card for pizza

A note of encouragement

A phone call (with the understanding that she might be interrupted numerous times by the afforementioned kids)

An hour with a shrink (just kidding...well, mostly!) 

This list is definitely not all inclusive. Chime in with some of you suggestions. 

Three quick things before I sign off:

Another thing I want to remember is to volunteer in the nursery or as a Sunday school teacher when my kids are older. My hubs and I often talk about how the people with no small children that volunteer in the nursery at our church are such a blessing to those of us who really could use the break on Sunday morning, and we want to return the favor when our littles are not so little.

A friend shared the following verse with me: "Be strong and courageous, for the LORD you God will be with you wherever you go!" I love applying that verse to us mom, deep in the trenches of mothering little ones, instead of relegating it only to the old testament saints in battle.

And lastly if you're looking for a laugh about having four kids you must watch Jim Gaffigan's sketch with that title on YouTube. http://youtu.be/GEbZrY0G9PI