Daddy Asleep, Giovanni Asleep

"But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side.48 Then he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf* welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest." Luke 9:47-48

So, you know you are a parent when you actually lose your child and you feel like falling through the ground. I woke this morning after having a baby actually only wake twice. My husband ended up on the couch because we decided to try the baby in our bed. She moved around too much. Well, I went to check on the boys and Giovanni was missing. He wasn't under the bed, in the closet, on the top bunk, in the living room, downstairs, outside, he was NO WHERE! Finally, my hubby found him hidden between the cushions on the couch. I told him "You scared mommy!" All he said was "Daddy Asleep, Giovanni asleep!" and pointed to the couch. Phew, emergency resolved.

So, such is the life as a mother. I have really reflected over my life in the last 10 yrs and the differences between being single, a stepmom and a mother. When I was single I could come and go as I pleased, I could buy what I wanted, go on vacations whenever and wherever I wanted, I could eat what I wanted, work out everyday, go to the movies, buy a new cd, a new shirt, a new car!

Then, I met this wonderful guy and became a stepmom of teenagers. Not much really changed. I could still go to the movies, buy what I wanted (I just had to get them something too), go on mini-vacations, eat what I wanted, work out, just no new cars. Life was different but good. It had its ups and downs. I became a hockey mom and scheduling was around hockey games, tournaments, practices. Summers consisted of recovery from hockey season. I could still sleep in and stay up late.

Then, the decision to adopt little ones. Life has drastically changed. I never get to sleep in, unless you consider 7:30 sleeping in, no gym, no movie theaters (unless my mom is in town to babysit), I eat what they eat, puke (not just from baby), vacations take hours longer in packing and travelling. Please note, do NOT go on vacation without your husband! I have 3 little ones always there needing something. My life revolves around nap time, feeding times, bed times, and bath times. To leave to the store takes a 1/2 hour to get kids to go potty, change the baby, get bottles ready, extra clothes, seatbelts on, and water to drink. My final noticeable difference - I shop where there are kid friendly shopping carts. I must say, Safeway has the best so far. They are too expensive so I am trying to find a new place. The cart has two seats in the front that looks like cars so the boys can drive, a spot for the baby, and the thing drives with one hand very easily.

I love being a mother of 6. It has had its ups and downs in the last couple of months, but I wouldn't change any of it. Grant, who has been living with us during the summer, leaves today for the Air Force, so we are back to our family of 8. Nick, Giovanni, and Caleb are getting ready for school (yeah for mom!) and Kevin starts shortly after that. Malcom is thinking about going into the Air Force, too. We aren't sure how we feel about that right now. We met the kindergarten teach last week. The school and the boys are pretty excited. I think they will have fun.

Here are some pictures from the last week. There will be more to come soon. Hope you all are doing well. Thanks for following along!

Our new hats! OK, they are supposed to be arm floaties.

Yes, we like to make our sister look like us too!

Sophia loves ice cream!

First time on a trampoline. Only one injury - a bite to the lip.

She had fun getting in, just not staying!

We LOVE SavageLand pizza house!

That's our Caleb - always smiles.