Parks and Pictures

I haven't been much of a blogger lately.  Well, I haven't been much of anything really...except a very busy mom with 9 kids at home, six of whom are under the age of 6.  :)   That explains it I guess.

Truth be told, I have been somewhat overwhelmed with everything lately. The last 2 1/2 months I've struggled a bit thinking I'd taken on too much or I just couldn't handle what I've been given.   :( 

This adoption has had a rough adjustment. Much much harder than any of our other adoptions.  Don't get me wrong, I love having all these little ones.  We feel completely blessed and lucky to have every single one of them!

But it has been tough.

It is not the girls themselves. They are great and seem to be adjusting amazingly well!  It's just the fact that we have so many "littles".  

When we brought Anna and Victoria home 2 years ago, it was BUSY!  It took us a good 6-8 months to feel like we were back to "normal".  This time we are just 3 months in, and the adjustment is definitely much harder. 

There is just not enough time in the day to get everything done.  And I mean that literally.  I know most people feel that way with 2 kids. I felt that way myself before as well -- when I had just 5 boys, or when we had 6 boys and one sweet little girl with health issues.  I am finding it hard to get anything done except the basic and immediate needs.  Lol

I pretty much cook meals, clean up after said meals, change diapers/go potty, get kids dressed and cleaned up, and try to find an activity to keep them occupied. Then it's time for the next meal where I again serve up 6 little plates, etc.  And on and on it goes.

Evenings tend to be alot harder as everyone is usually tired and cranky and we are juggling sports practices and homework as well.  :)  But I am thankful for the great husband I have who is super helpful getting kids ready for bed and most nights gets them into bed as well.

Well, enough of that boring stuff.  It is not all bad!  God has been working on me and I am trying to make sure I do it all as unto the Lord.   :)   And I do know it will get easier.  Right?

I am happy to say that we managed to get to the park today.  It was Ruby and Emmee Ai's first time and I think they had a pretty good time.  And I managed to get a few good pictures with my new lens. Yay!

Madalyn had a blast!  She was off and running everywhere.

So were the boys!!

Sorry... no pictures of Anna and Toria this time.  They weren't with us because they were at school and on a field trip visiting the pumpkin patch!  :)  

Next time a little update on all the kids....