how do you do it?

So, lately I hear the same question all the time! "How do you do it?" And then there's always "Is it hard to have 2 babies?" Ofcourse its hard!!! There is nothing easy about having 2 babies and 1 unruly toddler. There are some mornings when I wake up and think the same thing that everyone else does..."I do not want to get out of bed and I do not want to go to work!!!" And yes...for those of you who think being a stay-at-home mom is not a job...THINK AGAIN. But as tempting as it is to pretend like I am still in my pre-baby days and sleep until noon, instead I drag myself out of bed and resist the urge to sprint to the coffee pot. And yes...I do cry at times out of pure exhaustion and frustration. I mean, all 3 of my children have really big lungs and they are not afraid to use them. And yes, there are some days when shane barely gets one foot in the door before I am in the driveway jumping into the nearest vehicle. Im lucky to have such a wonderful husband.

But, to answer the big question...how do I do it? Sometimes with grace, and sometimes, well...not so graceful. The 2 biggest things that help me with raising these 3 beautiful girls every day are prayer and counting to 10 before I react. Here's an example...running into the grocery store by myself with all 3 girls. Before I even get out of the van, I incorporate prayer into my trip. I pray that the babies don't get hungry, I pray that Veda doesn't have to pee, and I pray for no stinky diapers! So far, God has blessed me with outings that were pee& poop free. But babies not getting hungry...yeah right! So once I get all of the girls out of the van (comparable to running a marathon) I try my best to get Veda to hold my hand through the parking lot. She typically refuses...enter counting to 10. So now that we're in the store, here comes one of the not so graceful moments of my day...I go ahead and take a trip to the register and buy veda whatever candy and/or gum her little heart desires. Enter counting again, except with dollar signs. For those of you repulsed by this tactic, please tell me how else to keep my wild child sitting in a cart that I am pulling behind me with one hand while I push a double stroller in front of me with the other hand! Ill take any lack of comments as an agreement that this is the only logical tactic. Thank you. So, as we go through the aisles, I am constantly reminding Veda to not climb on the edge of the cart. Enter praying...that she wont fall and bust her head open. And as we continue through our shopping, veda continues to spill candy throughout the store. 1...2...3...4...Then at least 1 baby will cry for something that I probably forgot to bring...1...2...3...4...5...6. So, now we're in a full out sprint to finish the shopping, but wait! Everyone wants to stop and peek in the stroller! Don't get me wrong, I love showing my girls off. But really, they're crying and I am sweating through my shirt. Enter counting. That is, counting the number of people who have stopped to ask questions, which usually exceeds 10. So, I am usually praying my way through the last aisle in the store. Praying for 2 things...to stay on budget, and to keep my sanity. Enter worried, sweaty face. So, now we get to the register...the home stretch! Yay! Usually some helpful employee who has a free moment helps me unload the groceries. Now we're counting again...the number of beats my heart just skipped because I am in love! Then I get ready to pay just to realize I forgot my card on the kitchen counter!!!...!!!!! Really? Really? Enter more sweating. Wait...check book! Enter praying..."thank you God!" So we are finally done and in the van just for Veda to pee in her seat because she didn't go before we left the store. Counting again. We make it home, I unload children and groceries, get everyone settled, wait for shane to get home and then probably take another shower. Remember...sweating!

So, for those beautiful mothers of 2, or even 3 of different ages who ask me how I do it...I do it the same way you do! I do the best I can and there are many times when I give up on trying to convince all of the strangers in the store that I am a flawless graceful.mother. I mean really...who do I think im fooling? I do everything for my girls, but I sacrifice the slow paced, peaceful lifestyle I used to have. Why do I do it? Because these girls are amazing! Besides the fact that I am responsible for their every breath, they deserve the very best. And if my very best is sweating and counting and praying through the grocery store like a crazy woman, then that's what they get!