I'm not going to lie.
Six kids is hard. We've got schooling going on. We've got toddlerhood going on and we've added an infant to those.
I feel like I get nothing done.
I joked with a friend who is pregnant with her 5th that I call it a good day when I shower and find something clean that fits. A strike is getting my bed made.
But, we are slowly getting the hang of it...knock on wood.
Sometimes we find it best to "divide and conquer". This little bowling game, I could tell, was pushing it. The older girls were loving it.
These two little rascals (and the one strapped to my body)...not so much. Clover would push the ball down the lane and then run to the handicap ramp to roll her chubby little body down without even seeing if she hit any pins down.
Azure would at least wait until her ball disappeared into the shadows beyond the pins, but then these two partners in crime were off.
I didn't bowl, still having some health issues I'm trying to work through, but it was enjoyable to watch my little offspring drop that ball like it was going to go crashing through the floor and then o h s o s l o w l y ricochet back and forth until it would kiss a couple of pins before returning magically to do it again.
Divine was frustrated she couldn't get it down very easily, all the steps and swing and pointing.
But she declared at the end she had a good time.
Sometimes it was a whole family affair to help someone get the ball down the lane.
R Sizzle bowled up well into a hundred. Those arms. The kids like to compare their muscles to his almost nightly during dinner. Azure is convinced that hers are almost as big as his.
For the second game, I took Azure and Clover and distracted them with some golden greasiness. Azure turned to me and said, We're lucky we don't have to bowl again, huh? Sure babe.
Then we went down to the coin operated games to try to win us some hideous stuffed animals or 100-year-old candy. Three times. Those things are rigged I tell ya.
So. Eight is hard. But, as we like to tell our kids,
Good things are hard.
You are a brave woman, but it looks like so much fun. And even more so, your kids look like they are having so much fun all the time, which is a great testament to you. Keep it up, lady! You're doing great!
ReplyDeleteI know I struggle with my 4, so you are allowed to think it's hard- because it is! It is obvious that you are a great mother. I'm sure it will get easier as you recover from having a baby as well. They are so worth it!
ReplyDeleteWell, the kids look like that are having a great time so you're obviously getting it right. Well done you! (and lovely photos btw)
ReplyDeleteI may or may not be pregnant again with #5...after my hubby had a vasectomy. (I know we can't sue the urologist but do you think I could go slap him?) I really needed to read this today. Really.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of 8 kids, my husband is one of 9 O.O Crazy, sure, but we both LOVE our families and our our siblings. We have 3 kids and are settled at that (My body couldn't handle more). Even with smaller families in this generation my hubby and I have 50 nieces/nephews! It's a cheerful, wonderful, noisy sort of love :)
ReplyDeleteI applaud you...it is not easy for sure. I have 4 that I home school. From teens to toddlers...some days I think I just might loose my brains or my hair. ha...parenthood is the land of chaos and laughter. It's a once in a lifetime adventure.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of 8 kids and my husband one of 6... we LOVE that we grew up with siblings. We know that it wasn't easy for our moms, but looking back we remember having siblings to play with and the fun things - nothing negative! :)
ReplyDeleteWe'd love to have a large family of our own, but it's looking like God may have other plans for us... enjoying our little miracle who surprised us after 7 years :)
Getting out is one of the biggest challenges to a big family, that's for sure. And, I'd love to know how you deal with transport. We're in a Suburban now, but don't know if we'll still fit in that if number 6 comes along...Would love to know how you're hauling.
ReplyDeleteLIke some of the others here, I too grew up in a big family - 10 altogether. My mom has a spread from 6 to 25, four in college and a first grader. It's a crazy world, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, I just love that lost shot of your girls on the stools - the composition and the lighting are spot-on. ^_^
Beautiful photos of your bowling expedition Katy. Your efforts at getting the whole gang out (and keeping them entertained) are admirable!! Take care x
ReplyDeleteI have 6 going on 7.. :) The first few months at the very least, are not about achieving any clean house, square meal, etc. awards.
ReplyDeleteThey are about taking one minute at a time, in awe with the new little one and tending to the others' emotional needs.
In time, life comes to a new normal and then a schedule emerges.
Keep up what you are doing.. enjoying the littles, cuz much too soon they grow, mature and move on.
:)
Thank you for this. We just added our fourth to the family. Our oldest is 9 and we have a 4 month old.The last few days I have felt like I have been fighting off a breakdown. The house is in disarray, I am behind on everything, I am lucky to get a shower, and let's not even talk about the laundry. Or the fact that I think number 4 did in my stomach and my clothes might never fit me again. It wouldn't be so bad if we could afford to go out and buy new clothes.
ReplyDeleteKids are worth every minute of it, and I want more kids, but right now, today, there is stress.
I am sure that things would look brighter if I got a little sleep. Haha.
I am making an assumption about your health related journey based on my own experiences and would like to leave you a little link that has helped me a lot. (I tried to email it to you but I couldn't find an email address for the site.) I hope you don't mind my assumption... I figured the amount that it has helped me is worth the risk of offense! http://www.firstaidforprolapse.com/ If it's helpful, great! If it's not, please just ignore!
ReplyDeleteI am so, so impressed. Seriously! You're amazing! I absolutely adore the last picture of your youngest (I think?) girls. So darling!
ReplyDeleteYou have it absolutely right though I can only imagine how difficult it is right now. I am pregnant with #4 and people look at me like I am crazy, but what could be better than all these little people to love?
ReplyDeleteYou're so right... good things are usually hard.
ReplyDeleteAfter a brief stint of unemployment and low-pay contract work, my husband finally has a permanent full-time job (yay for benefits!). But he works late sometimes and needs to travel. When the kids complain, our go-to statement is, "Good things come with hard work." Now if I can get my own 7 month preggo attitude in check too. :)
I wouldn't even have attempted a trip out so soon after having a baby, so well done for even taking them bowling. I find it hard going just having two kids, so having six must be so much harder. You're doing a great job. The kids all look healthy and happy and that's what matters.
ReplyDeleteDawn x
PS if you can, try and get a wee bit of time for yourself - difficult, I know, but so necessary for your sanity.
good things are hard! very true... I can´t even imagine myself with 6 kids... but I imagine the rewards are greater than the hardships. :) Your family is beautiful! May God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are beautiful (and so is your family!). The hubs and I have always said we wanted 4+ kiddos. #1 is just 8months and I find myself second guessing whether I really want that big family. Thank you for being so honest about the struggles and the blessings that come with a family of this size.
ReplyDeleteyou rock! take it one day at a time. Your girls look happy and healthy :)
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted a large family. #2 is taking her time joining us so we'll see how it goes once she's here. ; ) I love hearing life with 6 little ones so keep it coming! Does your little man have a name yet, or did I miss it? I'm dying to know!
ReplyDeleteSweet!
ReplyDelete"divide and conquer"
ReplyDeleteexactly the phrase i use when people ask me how i ever get anything done.
it's a strange new thing...having the biggers, the littles and the littlest...not at all like when you had all toddlers.
everyone's needs--physical, emotional, mental...can be very overwhelming at times.
so, yes, we too "divide and conquer".
and as i sit typing, 2 year old just told me "mommy, my peepee go on the ground."
so i'm off...to conquer (hopefully)
Way to make lemonade Katy. I'm impressed that you bring your camera. Sometimes toting the camera along just bugs me. On that topic. Do you mind if I ask if you have off the camera flash? That last picture looks well lit, but I wondered if it was the flash or just a nicely lit bar?
ReplyDeleteI'm pregnant with my third. Having 6 kids...blows...my...mind. I bow to you. Know that you are truly incredible.
I have two and some days I have no idea how to get it all done.
ReplyDeleteI can not even imagine having 6!I am hoping that eventually we get the hang of it, or maybe they just get older and easier to handle? I dont know, its a lot of work and I bow down to you!
i have two dogs, one's a puppy. it will be a long time before we go bowling!!! love your family. read about lucy, seems to be a small world, i was so into that story as it happened. daughter and family vacation there every year. one never thinks about how far a hospital/trauma is from your paradise. take care. :>)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your posts and wanted to thank you for this one in particular. My sixth is going to be a year old next month and I was surprised at how hard going from number 5 to number 6 was for me. I've been struggling and just started to feel like things were back to normal this past month. Some days I feel like wonder woman getting it all done and squeezing in time for myself afterward and some days I feel like it's a stretch to ask for a shower and maybe a bite to eat. It is so hard, but it's also six times more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for helping me to feel a little normal today :).
ReplyDeleteI have a very dear friend who had 6 kids as well. They are all grown up now, and doing very well! Those are difficult years, but in the end, so worth the effort. I agree, good things are hard!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this. We're expecting #6 and I'm already starting to feel overwhelmed. I think "Good things are hard" is going to become my mantra.
ReplyDeleteGood things ARE hard. And Azure's haircut is darling. You are brave to be out with the whole crew so early on. It look, from here, like a blast. Love you, Katy K.
ReplyDeleteIf it was easy, everybody would be doing it, right?!
ReplyDelete:-)
That's what I intend to tell Finn when he tells me something is hard!
Hugs to you and yours! Thank you for the nice card...
Tamara
After having a baby, weeks 3 and 4 are the hardest for me. I wish I lived close to make your family dinner. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteWell, Katy, some good thoughts from all these blog friends! Bowling with the whole family all ready is pretty amazing! Love you.
ReplyDeleteHard, but you were able to take amazing photos despite. Aren't bowling alleys notoriously dark? These are beauties. (Cute kids don't hurt either)
ReplyDeleteLove it! I love the process you came to his name! And you are right, good things are hard!
ReplyDeleteMy hat is well and truley off to you, I couldn't imagine dealing with 6 kids. 4 is already difficult enough. 3 was easy, but since they became 4, going anywhere is like trying to herd cattle! x
ReplyDeleteYou're amazing. Love you. Praying for you.
ReplyDelete