it's easy

Today I found a half eaten bagel on the side table smothered in apple butter. (Trust me, that’s not the only thing I’ve found today.) I know who the culprit is. There are crumbs on the counter and cheerios on the floor and laundry in various stages of done-ness on the couch. Upstairs, I can barely walk for lack of bare floor (toys and stuff) and under someone’s bed there are cheez-its complete with a tea party set up, all in pink and purple plastic (under the bed, seriously).



Yesterday I took #1 & 2 to the dentist (along with #4 & 5 in tow) and you should have seen the reactions. The receptionist asked {after I was all settled into the waiting room seat with the older two at the games and the younger two by my feet}, “So, how many does this make?” “Five,” I said, smiling. All the heads attached to the nice mothers in the waiting room snapped up to look at me. Then the more bold mothers took their turns asking me questions. (Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Utah anymore.)



The truth is I was petrified to have five children. But now I’m not. Now I know that having a big family is awesome! It is rewarding and full of love. It is a lot of work and I’m tired. But it does get a little easier. (You have to look at “easier” in an open-minded fashion.)

eas⋅y/ [ee-zee]
1. not hard or difficult; requiring no great labor or effort: It was easy to fall asleep.

2. free from pain, discomfort, worry, or care: It was easy to see her third child walking on the counter; she had seen children walking on the counter for years now.

3. not burdensome or oppressive: It was easy to do the laundry because after being on bed rest for close to three months, taking care of her family without relying on others was no longer considered a burden, but a blessing.

So when I find hand written names on the walls and window sills from the Cheez-It miester, I give a sigh and get a little frustrated, but I don’t have time to dwell on it—I’m a mother of five, for heaven’s sake!


taken by my 9 year old...because my hands were full. here's the self portrait with mommy:


How do I do it? (the most asked question) I do it just like people do it with one. Just like people live with any kind of trial. Just like people live with any kind of joy.