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This One's For Me

 Some days four kids seems like a bit much.  When four feels more like eight or twelve, I'm tempted to get a machine like the DMV, "Take a number, kid!"  On those days I'm left wondering what did we do?!  I don't even know.

God gave us what we prayed for when we asked for boys.  They do all the stinking, loud, weird boy things.  I'm not surprised by any of it, but sometimes it makes me tired.  And cranky.  And my ears hurt.  And then I feel really old.  

Then God gave us girls.  They make me feel even older and tireder.  But they are ridiculously cute and funny...when they aren't crying.  I think the girls were a gift for our boys as much as they were for us.  Those two stinky, dirty, fighting, wrestling, ornery, best enemies, turn into protective, gentle (mostly), sweet, companions and playmates when the girls are around.  The girls love their big brothers.  They copy everything the boys do and say, and will go to them for loves and comfort when Mom or Dad aren't cutting it.    

Sawyer calls them "my princess."  We don't even call them princesses (we don't need them getting any ideas).  Fischer will do anything to keep them from crying - it's why he's so skinny, they always steal his food.  Both boys will almost always stop what they are doing to play with their sisters when they are around, and they create new games just so they can include them.  Fischer spends copious amounts of time being a kitty or a baby when the girls demand it.  Sawyer will injure himself giving pony rides and trying to lift them up on tree branches so they can swing.  It's non-stop giving of themselves, and sometimes I miss it because of all the refereeing I'm doing outside of these moments.  I don't want to forget.  

I'm so glad the girls have these boys to look out for and protect them.  They will be in good hands long after Ross and I are in an assisted living facility.  (Which is like five years from now because frankly we started this game a little late in life.  And did I mention I'm tired.)  May the good Lord help their future boyfriends.  They really don't stand a chance.  And I'm okay with that.  

 

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