Gratitude and Mondays

Mondays need to be my gratitude day.  When I was young and single I never really minded Mondays, just another day in the week and since I could go out and socialize on a Monday night (or any other night for that matter) what was the difference?  As of late I have found Mondays to be hard.  And I blame it all on Seth.  He's just too darn helpful over the weekend.  He makes everything way too easy (or easier at least.)  I wake up Monday morning and I miss him.  I roll my eyes at my children and there's no one there to reciprocate my frustrations and turn it into humor.  We really are quite funny, at least we think we are.  Anyway, I'm not here to sulk.  I was just having a rough morning after a short not so restful night, I went in my room to say my prayers (which I should have done before I ever left my room) and as I knelt down I felt so incredibly ungrateful.  My little pity party was over.  They usually don't last long but I always feel bad for even being sad or frustrated, I have so much.  So here's today's gratitude list:

1. Seth.
2. My Children.  All 5 of them.  Even the 2 that are keeping me up all night.
3. Press 'n Seal.  I hate saran wrap, press n seal makes my life just that much easier.
4. My new couch that's coming today.
5. Craig's List and the crazy lady that paid me money to come and take away my old nasty couch that I couldn't even stand to look at anymore.
6. The opportunity to teach a mission prep class last night with Seth.  
7. The amazing youth that came to that class and are getting ready to go out and serve.
8. Diet Caffeine-Free Coke
9. Tax Returns
10. my iPhone

I Heart J Dog

I finally got Jensen sufficiently fed and sleeping peacefully so that I could get some laundry folded.  

I am getting way behind on laundry.  It's one of the things that has been put on the back burner.  Thank goodness for an excess of clothing.  

As I'm sitting folding laundry I start to get a tad bit emotional.  Not like crying emotional but just twinges of sadness.  J's little clothes are looking much littler than him.  Meaning he's growing.  

He's getting bigger everyday.  In fact he's probably growing right now while I'm folding laundry instead of holding him.  

Is he really my last little newborn?  He has to be, I can't do this again, the nights are killer, but the thought of not doing it again is also heart wrenching. 

In other news...

 The girls have nicknamed Jensen, J-Dog.  Does he look like a J-Dog?

Luc had a birthday!  Can't believe my little man is FIVE!

The girls ran their first 5K - So proud of them!

Nash is preparing for the X Games

Name that Avey

I told Seth today that I didn't think Jensen looked like the other kids...  um I think I might be mistaken.  

Moments...

In case any of you were wondering, life with 5 children is hard.

It's not all that much different than 3 or 4 but the logistics of it all gets a little trickier.  Like how do I get all the laundry done and the dishes washed and dinner made and nurse the baby and make sure the 20 month old isn't using the toilet lid as a dry erase board.  (also in case you were wondering, while toilet seats look a lot like a dry erase boards dry erase marker does not wipe off quite as easily.)

So I've decided that it might not all get done every day or possibly any day. (not like it always got done every day before but at least I knew it was possible some days.)

I'm trying to enjoy the little moments that seem to come and go so fast.  Jensen is already getting so big. I looked at him this morning and realized that the newborn-ness in him is fading all too quickly.  And knowing that this is probably our last that is a tad bit heartbreaking.  Not that I think I could ever do 6, I couldn't, which it why this is the last, but it's still sad to think I won't experience this again.  At least not exactly like this.

So even though this is what a morning shower sometimes looks like...

I am trying hard to live in the moment and enjoy what I have right now, (even  if that includes piles of laundry and sinks full of dirty dishes) heaven knows I will soon be looking back and missing these crazy chaotic days.