Blessing from a big family.

I often get "You have how many kids?" Oh wow really... As you see their dismay on their faces. I never thought twice about having a big family. Even with the crazyiness of my family I always enjoyed growing up in a big family. Especially when I was younger. I also have to say I wouldn't trade that now even with the drama.Especially my sisters.

I am not sure why this has been on my mind so much. Maybe it is because I get asked it alot. Who knows. It is 5 oh so you are either Catholic or Mormon right? Yes, I am Mormon. But what does one have to do with the other? Why is it that Mormon families are bigger. Some quote scripture etc. But really couldn't it just be that we realize how many blessings those children bring us and we aren't going to turn those down. Who would, right? Along with blessings also become responsiblility. But that is cool I can handle that.

So today I finally decided to write about what I think about everytime someone ask me about it. In my heart I am smiling thinking about how we can play a pick up game of any sport at anytime and have enough players to make it fun. And it is especially those spur of the moment times that make it great. How there is always hugs coming my way and without me asking. Someone always to ride in the car or go to the store with me. Someone to tell me stories about their lives. Never a dull moment. 5 times the laughter and sometimes by the time you finish your really don't remember why you laughed you just know in the moment it was just too cute and funny. 5 times the people to learn from. I am convinced that we learn the most from children of all ages. I learn more about forgiveness, compassion, life from my kids and their friends than I have learned my whole life. I love being the fly on the wall in the car as they talk to each other and their friends about school, girls, boys, life etc. It makes me crack up. I love to embarass them. Not in the bad way but like on New Years they were counting down the top 10 songs and I was singing along. (so was the whole crowd don't worry no solo) and Eve just looks at me and shakes her head and laughs. I say what didn't think I was cool enough to know the song? Now when the song plays I belt it out in the car and so do they. It is a memory we made. A good one.

Yes, my house won't stay clean for long after cleaning it. But I realized life isn't about how clean your house is. Or how much time you spend cleaning it while your kids entertain themselves or you miss out on the good things in their lives. We do however have a fast clean up time with 5 kids. We each have a job and usually the house can be cleaned in 30 minutes. Ok so that isn't deep cleaning but good enough for company.
I really think with having the 5 kids you realize that life is too short to schedule every minute of the day with one activity or another and not spend quality time with your kids. By not over scheduling them I don't get cranky and they don't either. We have time for our Friday night movie night or game night. We have time to lay on my bed and talk or watch a favorite show. I absolutely love being a mom. But being a mom to 5 amazing kids I just adore. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

Whenever it gets hard I realize that Heavenly Father had enough Faith in me to raise them that everything will be ok.

So the next time I get asked about why I have 5 kids or spend as much time with them. Maybe I will answer them differently. Just maybe I will let them in on my secret of happiness in life. That is my 5 kids.