I hear this statement at least a couple of times a day from people I come in contact with! ( those I know and complete strangers). And we do have our hands full, definitely! I know everyone is curious if we are surviving 3 kids under 2 and the answer is yes, we are making it!! It is VERY chaotic, but there are moments of peace. I would describe my day like a roller coaster, mostly peaceful, times of calm when everyone is happy, playing, or sleeping. And then, BOOM! Everyone is crying, needing something and it's complete madness! I just handle them one at a time (easiest first), and we get through it!
I'm really surviving because I have several things...
First and foremost (i know i've said it before), but I have the best husband! He works so hard at his job, and then comes home and works twice as hard here! He has been switching off nights with me so that I can get some sleep, which makes all the difference in the world! With a good 6/7 hours, you can accomplish anything! He is so sweet with Caroline and so much fun with the boys, and helps out with anything around the house!! I'm so grateful for him!
I also have wonderful in-laws! They are a HUMONGOUS help! They will run pick up and drop off for me with the boys at school and take them to their house a few times a week for some fun! The boys love being there. It's like Disneyland to them. Sean and I are perfectly happy with the fact that the boys would rather be with Grandma and Grandpa than us! In fact, we encourage it!
Seriously, though, we tell them this often, but we would not survive if they didn't live around the corner. We are so thankful and grateful to them.
I also have my mom who helps with my sanity and lets me call her at least once a day so that she can give me a pep talk! She listens as I go on about various illnesses and things the kids are doing! I know no one else would be as interested as she is! (or at least pretends very well to be!). Also, when she comes to stay it is like a mini-vacation for me! I love it! ( Only about 30 more days until the next visit!)
Also, Mother's Day out 2 days a week for the boys... Need I say more??
Finally, and most important, lots of prayer. Let's see, I pray for patience about 50 times a day and I especially pray to remember to be joyful and present even through all the chaos! I know it's going to go by so fast and I will be sad about it!
It took us so long to have this big of a family, so we really are thrilled! So, in the end, yes, our hands are very full, but my cheesy response is, our hearts are even more so!