Summer

Warmth has finally come to our part of the world and with it very rambunctious boys that are up at 5, yes, that says FIVE, as in AM. And don't crash hard until 8.

My husband and I have been going to bed early, lights out at 9:30, so that we can get up somewhat happily with the children rather than parking them in front of the TV or something similar. My husband has been going down to the basement to work out while I get morning juice for the kids, their first breakfast, and something caffeinated for myself. (Tea has been my favorite as of late.)

But from then on my day is a blur. Seriously, my husband said partly joking partly in frustration that it's amazing we haven't lost one of them yet. We have a large back yard but it is not fenced which means my children are constantly bolting out the doors, all doors, in every which direction, in and out, in and out, up and down, crying and laughing, hitting and screaming, playing and teasing. I'm tired just thinking of another day coming. And somehow my 1 year old has mastered the art of making his dinner tray of his high chair look like he dumped all the food I gave him into a food processor and then painted his entire high chair with it. So gross.

It actually has been fun getting up early. Please don't tell anyone I said that. But it's nice to not feel even more 10 steps behind my kids because they've already been up 2 hrs before I even come out of my room. Instead I get to sit with them while they rub their eyes and tell me about their dreams and sometimes cuddle in my lap. My husband has always been the one to get up with older kids while I slept in a little with the baby but since we don't have a baby anymore and I'm not 11 weeks away from giving birth like I would be if we hadn't put a baby in the ground a few months ago, for once I can get up.

So I'm living the crazy life of a mom with 4 wild boys who I'm seriously considering teaching to use a hammer and nails because with the energy they have and the brute force with which they tackle everything in their path, I'm pretty sure they could have a gorgeous new house built for me by the end of the summer...or the week.

But I love my life. I wake up every day and cannot believe the Lord has given me what He has. Even when I pretend to be annoyed or tired or frustrated (OK, it's not always pretending ;) but even when I actually am those things, inside a constant flame burns that says "I am the happiest and most blessed woman on the entire planet."

And my husband is pretty hot too. :)