There's FOUR of them.

About a week ago, my sister (Tevyn) informed me that my blog was getting "Heavy".

I'm kind of a nerd, so the only reason I knew what she meant was because Marty McFly uses the word "heavy" in that same context on the move Back to the Future. (Which in all honesty, is my all-time favorite movie).

So!

I've decided to make this a lighter post.

Things have been crazy since Bennett was born. I really thought that having him in the summer would make things easier. I assumed that I would have everything under control by the time school started - which couldn't be farther from the truth.

This house continues to be the best example of the happiest form of chaos.

We are blissfully happy, but also utterly exhausted. Things just never slow down.

For example, I thought I had the house running fairly smoothly again. Once school started, I had to figure out how and when the groceries would be bought. I ended up purchasing a Baby Bjorn (after a strong recommendation from Aunt Josie. Thanks again.) in order to be able to use my cart for, well, groceries! (Imagine! Needing a cart for groceries!) I put Maddox in the cart seat, Sloane inside the large part of the cart and Bennett in the Baby Bjorn. Holynd is usually at Preschool, but if she is with us, she walks. As the cart fills up, Sloane usually ends up walking too.

Yes! We get stares from everyone we pass. One day a guy stopped me and asked, "Uh.. Where ya going to put the next one?" I was pretty proud of myself when I answered, "On my back!".

Anyway, for a few weeks, this system worked. Until....... the Infiniti decided to die!

Matt and I have discussed several times how it would be nice to get a second car that fit all the kids. Matt's truck, obviously, can only fit three kids in the back - and it's a very TIGHT squeeze. We didn't really research this idea seriously, because... well, was that really ever going to happen?

Uh. Yes!

I walked out of the grocery store one day, loaded all three kids up, applauded myself for getting all the shopping done and still having ample time before having to pick up Holynd from Preschool, and then went to start the car.

Riiiinnnn, riiin rinnnnnnnnnnn.... Nothing.

Riiinnnn, riiin, rinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Nothing.

You have GOT to be kidding me!

So I called Matt. He came over and tried jumping it.

Nothing.

My dad came over and tried jumping it.

Nothing.

My poor Infiniti was BROKEN!

Now. If this had happened a year ago, it wouldn't be that big of a deal at all. We just weren't nearly as busy as we are nowadays.

But now, not having a car was basically like sawing off one of the legs on a chair. It just wasn't going to work!

Matt had it towed to a shop nearby, then ended up towing it to the dealership. After being told several different times that it would be done, "tomorrow, at the latest.", we were without a car for a total of about 10 days.

Except for the kidney infection, this was the LONGEST ten days ever! Everyone was so happy when Matt drove the car back into the driveway. Especially me!

I called in a lot of favors that week. I'm so glad that we have such a wonderful group of friends and family. Many thanks to Aunt Alissa for lending us her car through most of this experience.
I've come to except that I'm always dealing with some sort of situation in this house. Someone is always sick, wounded, unhappy, hungry, tired, stressed, dirty or overly-excited.

Here are a few things I've learned.

1. Always, ALWAYS park next to the Cart Return at the grocery store. This gives you room  to get your kids out, because there's not someone parked next to you, and also easy access to a cart to strap all your children into. This eliminates the problem of having cars trying to pull into the spot next to you while you are loading and unloading and also helps with getting everyone into the store without injury.

2. Just plan on things going badly. It's really tough to have such high expectations for an outing only to have your hopes and dreams crushed by a potty accident or temper tantrum. Just decide ahead of time that something will go wrong - then if nothing goes wrong, you'll be the happiest mommy on the block.

3. Accept help. I'm not talking about the people who always offer to watch your kids for you (which I'm extremely grateful for). I'm talking about the people who ask to help you with the small things.

"Can I get that door for you?" 

YES!

"Can I push that stroller for you?"

YES!

"Would you like help out to your car?"

Is the sky blue? YES!

"Do you need help carrying anything?"

Yes! Please take all the children and I'll just carry this diaper bag.

I used to always try to do things without any help. I felt like I had to prove that I could do it. Stupid. Stupid. STUPID! These people need good feelings and blessings just as much as I need the help. Win-Win!

4. Food can be your greatest ally or your worst enemy. My life revolves around meals. If we're late for a meal, my kids will let you know! They start falling apart!!!! All the sudden they're upset about fights they had with one another a week ago. I've had to come to terms with the fact that I can NOT plan a day without planning out meals too. I usually know what my kids are going to have for lunch two or three days into the future based on what we have planned.

I am still nursing Bennett which, as always, has its pros and cons. I'm really liking not having to worry about bottles and supplies when I'm out, but I have to constantly tell my kids that I can't always help them while I'm feeding Bennett. There are some days where I end up in the bathroom, nursing Bennett and reading Sloane a book while she tries to poop.

It's horrible, I know, but I use food for bribes ALL THE TIME! I only have so many weapons and food is one of them. I think I sent Holynd to bed without dinner one time, maybe a year ago. (Gasp! And she lived through it!? Yes she did. Shocking!) I don't even remember why. Most of the time, I use it as a reward for good behavior. "If you're good at the store, we'll go to Chick Fil A for lunch!" I'm probably setting them up for a life filled with emotional eating, BUT THERE'S FOUR OF THEM PEOPLE! Four! I have to use what weapons I have.

5. I will always be potty training. Always.

I can honestly say that I've been completely maxed out since I've had kids. I was as overwhelmed with one as I am with four. You are always given the capacity to handle what you need to. There have been quite a few times when people have said to me, "You must think I'm such a whiner because I'm complaining about my two kids!" No. That's definitely NOT true. I remember feeling crazy when I had one, two, three and four kids. I remember full well sobbing and crying when I had discovered that Holynd had painted half of her room with poop. It's true that, in this house, a room full of poop is the equivalent of a spilled glass of juice at the breakfast table. That doesn't mean that I think everyone else SHOULDN'T be stressed out by an experience like that. When people come up to me and say, "I had the hardest day. One of my kids was having a horrible day...and then the baby wouldn't quit crying. And, of course, no one slept last night...." I know they're at the same level of stress as I am after a hard day. The amount of kids doesn't matter.

I remember when the girls were babies and I hated when people would say, "Just wait until you have three." That made me feel weak. There isn't a mother on earth who should be considered weak. I think the very definition of a mother is a person willing to be completely maxed-out at the end of everyday for the rest of their life.

I am completely maxed-out, but I love it.