Friday, December 3, 2010

You've got to be kidding me!!!

****FYI---LONG AND PERSONAL POST*****For the sake of my posterity*****

We made a quick trip up to my moms for Thanksgiving this year. We have only spent one other Thanksgiving with my family and that was right after we were married. We usually cant justify 2 trips, as we go up for Christmas as well, but we do have a little tradition that we stick with, and it happened to be that the timing for this tradition worked out around Thanksgiving, so plans were made and what a trip it was.
My mom called us the night before we were suppose to travel telling us of this storm that was suppose to be one of the worst in 7 years..so we were a tad nervous. Traveling in blizzard conditions freaks me out just a bit, but we braved it, and lucky for us- the storm wasn't what it was cracked up to be. So we had no travel problems besides Kylie puking (as she always gets car sick whenever we travel to UT.) we got in, ate dinner with my parents, put the kids to bed and then headed to bed ourselves.
The next day was Thanksgiving, so we helped my mom with a few preparations for the feast, got in a little treadmill walking, and the kids had fun destroying grandmas house.  Then a few of my brothers and my sister and their families came over and feast we did. Then we cleaned up, and were able to visit for a while, then enjoyed a huge assortment of pies, before everyone headed home, and we put the kids down.
Then my sweet Daniel braved the dreaded black Friday(officially starting on Thursday night now) sale with me in the dreaded UT cold. We froze and spent hours in line telling each other that saving $40 bucks really couldn't be worth it, and vowed to never do it again.

Daniel went back to my moms and got a few hours of sleep while I pressed on with my sister in law and we hit 2 more stores- of course the big ticket items were already gone, but she and i both were able to get basically what we needed and hallelujah there is no more standing in lines for the rest of the season for us.
That afternoon my kids helped grandma decorate her Christmas tree and we were able to make a few visits to my siblings homes and enjoyed the chance to catch up.
Then my mom arranged with my uncle to make the "tradition" happen. (the tradition that this trip basically centered around.)
After a rogue IUD, a "fun" little surgery, a few months of trying, a miscarriage, and several more months of trying, I am finally pregnant.
I have been baby hungry for a while, and even though things are chaotic at are home with 4 kids, we have been anxious to add our caboose.
let me just give you a little glimpse into my psyche..I have 5 brothers. i love them. I have one sister. I love her. But the relationship between sisters is somewhat stronger (in my experience anyway) than the relationships between brothers and sisters. My sister is always the 2nd person to know(after my mom) when we are expecting, she always seems to know when we are wanting to add to our family before anyone else too, she is the one sibling that is there for every baby blessing, the sibling that i can talk to whenever i am stressing about my kids behavior, the sibling who understands a little bit better why I think the way I do, what struggles i have had, and what dreams i still hope for. We can go a month without talking, and yet when we do- there is no awkwardness- just fun catching up, and always plans for that sister getaway that never happens, but is fun to talk about anyway. So with having this sister bond myself, I desire that for my Kylie girl with all my  heart. I want her to have that sister. And she desperately wants a sister a well.
Obviously, we have 3 boys. And I love my boys. Love love love them. But holy moley they are INSANE! They never stop, just keep going going going all day long, they destroy, they yell, they climb, jump, destroy, make mess after mess after mess, destroy, throw rocks, manage to always track in lots of dirt and muck right after I have vacuumed and mopped the floors, they get a kick out of "potty-talk" and gross body functions, cause a scene whenever we are out in public,(especially at church), refuse to hold still for family prayers, are always in need of a haircut, get mean when I tell them to turn the video games off, never seem to aim quite right when peeing therefore causing me to have to sanitize the bathroom several times a day, and then there is the whacking and kung-fu and wrestling wrestling wrestling, the endless forts out of my clean sheets and blankets that I have to rewash and refold as they always sneak in snacks and end up crushing the snacks into every inch of their forts, they are loud, messy, and beyond energetic. And for the most part- it is fun. But sometimes I feel like I'm at my wits end, and the thought of adding another kid kinda freaks me out, but then I imagine a sweet baby girl just like my Kylie, one who is a very good natured baby, then as a toddler: one who colors on paper and not the walls or carpets or couches, one who loves to look at books without tearing all the pages out while laughing manically, one who is calm and quiet and content, one who uses "please" and "thank you", one who potty trains them self in a day, and I think- yeah that will be wonderful...
I had this image in my head- of our home being a peaceful one, once we added this baby girl. Kylie, Toast, James and Ben all have been praying for "Baby Ashley" to grow healthy and strong, cuz we all were just certain we were gonna have a girl..and we would be complete and I would get to put my feet up at the end of each day and eat jr mints by the boxful without gaining weight...   ummmm.... yeah- I apparently was living in some fantasy world for a moment.
So when we went to my uncles office and he did an ultrasound for us- I was more than shocked when he pointed out the BOY part. I looked at Daniel with a look of disbelief, then kinda laughed cuz this had to be a joke.
but no joke....My baby is ANOTHER BOY!

SO that's bringing the male children in our family up to 4. 4. four. F-o-u-r! 4! I cant do 4 boys right in a row. it is already chaos. It is already mayhem. And then when I think of the teenage years- there is no way we can deal with 4 boys going through puberty a year or 2 right after each other. Plus how are we suppose to pay the weekly grocery bill once they are all teenagers together? (again, I have 5 brothers and i know as teenagers they are like bottomless pits.) Plus, as a parent, isn't one suppose to be teaching their children, stuff like right from wrong, how to be respectful, responsible, hard working, independent, caring, generous, helpful, kind, a good friend, and hopefully get them all to the point were they choose to serve a mission? And teach them to love- teach them to honor women, teach them how to be a good husband and father? This is all quite daunting to me- I was already worried about getting 3 through all that- but 4? Dang. I dont know if i am gonna make it. I dont know if my house and furniture will remain standing for much longer through these young formative years as it is.
Quite honestly, I have been in shock. and the kids(well the youngest 2 were like- "whatever"-)( but ky and ty) were really disappointed, and Daniel was surprised as well. and my mom just laughed. (again-  5 brothers. she's been through it.(plus one more) and i have taken that laugh not to be malicious, but as in- "good luck daughter- you're gonna need it") which i totally do! 4 boys? I cant be the mom of 4 boys!

And the kicker-- i don't feel complete. so as much as i hate being pregnant, as much as i hate puking my guts out for the first 2 months straight, then having terrible back pain, shortness of breath, having to pee a million times a day, being exhausted beyond exhausted, feeling yucky, and fat, and ugly, being an emotional roller coaster, having round ligament pain as i just get bigger and bigger, getting irritated by every stupid thing that shouldn't matter, getting grossed out by any weird smell, and then in the last trimester having to deal with the sciatic nerve making it almost impossible to walk without being in horrid pain, getting no sleep, feeling stretched as can be, dealing with all the stinking braxton hicks and then all the back pain that makes me feel like I'm on fire when I actually go into labor, and then having the miracle of a new life come into our world, but also having no sleep for several months and trying to somehow fit back into non maternity clothes when one barely has time to keep up with the laundry and the feedings, and everything else, let alone "working out." ---so as much as i hate all that-- in the back of my mind i have a strong urge to go through it again and be the mother of 6 (s i x, 6) kids, because i don't feel complete- i know i have a baby girl. (and this is probably the point where Daniel decides a little "snip snip" doesn't sound so horrible after all. hahaha)
so all week I've been having these little conversations in my head with my Heavenly Father and I keep asking him  if he's really thought this through, and then am like- dude, (not to be sac religious, but sometimes my mind is so blown that "dude" is really the only expression i can think of) so I'm like dude-- what are you thinking? you know me better than anyone, and while yes, i love my boys, and i am so thankful for them and yes they bring an indescribable joy and my heart gets so full when i look at them all tucked in at night sleeping away, and I'm thinking- wow- i love these little punks- and i am brought to sweet tears with the spontaneous hugs and the random "you're my favoritest mommy" or the simple but heartfelt "i love you mommy"  or the pathetic little weed flowers they find outside and bring to me to make me happy, or the little notes with a picture that they drew "just for (me)" -and I'm thankful for the funny moments of watching them dance their little dance moves, or hear the running of little feet when one of them wakes up at 3 to come get in our bed, and then they snuggle in as close as they can to me, and while i love the hilariousness from the random things they say or think about, - while yes i feel so grateful for all that and love all that and again i love them so much and am overwhelmed with gratitude that they have been entrusted to me---dear father-- you know i get so frustrated, you know there are so many nights when i cry to you cuz i worry about them, cuz i feel like a failure, cuz i cant do it all, you know i try to be patient but after telling them a hundred times over not to do something, they still continue to do it and i want to pull my hair out, you know i don't always find every moment full of joy, you know that i get tired, you know that a lot of the time i am doing it by myself while Daniel is working late trying to provide for us and that sometimes i feel so alone or trapped and really just want a break that i rarely get, you know that i fail to understand, that some days i let them watch dora over and over cuz i cant find the energy to read to them and try to deal with them ripping up the books as we do so. You know that after we have spent money on food for the kids and my 2 youngest get into everything and smash it into bits so that its all been one big waste of time and money that i just fume and really want to spank their little butts. You know that sometimes I yell at them. You know all this! so really,  one more of this kind really might just put me over the edge!!!  so really? really? another boy? really?


But every time i have this little talking to with my Father in Heaven, after I've ranted and expressed my insecurities and my feelings that i know i shouldn't have but have anyway- there is this feeling that washes over me, ever so gently, and i feel in my heart the answer that-" yes Kimmy, this is my plan. this little one- my little child, my son, needs you, and Daniel, and Kylie, and Tyler, and James and Ben. he needs the ward you are in, the friends you are surrounded by, he needs these aunt and uncles, these cousins, these grandparents. he needs this family line. I know you get frustrated with your kids, but I also know where your heart is. I know you are capable. I know you are teaching them, you love them, you take care of them. I know it feels like they don't listen and they aren't learning, but Kimmy, I know they are. Remember what it says in your patriarchal blessing about these little ones I've entrusted to you. Trust me, Kimmy. And just do the best you can and i will be there. I always am. And remember this little one is mine, after all. And HIS coming to you at this time is, again, part of my plan. (which i should know after having the special revelations given to us stating the same thing when James entered this world- obviously i am a slow learner) and you need him. And Kimmy- I know you make mistakes, and I know your kids make mistakes, but that is why I sent my Beloved Son, Jesus Christ into the world. I let Him suffer, so that you and your kids can have a way back. He is there to help you, He understands exactly how you feel. He understands exactly how your kids feel. And He is there to lead you, to guide you, to walk beside you. So Kimmy..just trust..and "my peace give i unto you. neither let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid."
and then following these moments, i know in my heart that yeah- adding one more boy is gonna bring even more chaos, it is gonna bring more frustrations, more tears when i fail, it's gonna put me at my wits end many a time over- but it is also gonna bring even more love and joy and extreme happiness. its gonna teach me lessons i need to learn, its gonna bring me moments of heaven on earth and glimpses into the eternities. So i do feel peace.
for a few minutes anyway, until I see the piles of clean clothes that have been  taken out of the drawers and thrown all over, the pee covered toilet seat and the floor surrounding it, wet with yellow liquid as well,  the crumbs smashed on the floor, the fridge door wide open and the milk spilled all over, the stick and rocks that get brought into the house, the dvds all out of their cases, lots with scratches that will make them impossible to watch, and some of them broken right in half, the yogurt smeared on the carpet, the walls scribbled on in permanent marker, and the 2 youngest boys climbing onto the highest spot they can find and jumping off it while trying out new tricks that luckily haven't made them quadriplegics thus far,) and again i think, "you've got to be kidding me!"
Heaven help us!

14 comments:

Nat said...

Oh Kimmy! Congratulations! We are so excited for you guys. You are amazing for being so honest and expressing your true feelings about everything. That was touching. This baby is truly meant to be with your family. :) You are a wonderful mom and you will continue to be that with however many kids you are blessed with. We need to catch up! Miss you guys...

Carol Godinez said...

What a sweet post Kimmy! Thank you for sharing. It's comforting to know other mothers feel insecure about things like that. Congratulations to you and Daniel!

Anonymous said...

Oh Kimmy, I love this post!!!!!!!!!!! I love that you are preg. and Heavenly Father def. knows what he is doing. If this were a girl, you may have decided you were done, but like you said this little boy needs you and you need him. I'm sure your girl is up there waiting patiently for the next trip! I am so excited for you, I hope you have a great preg. and that the symptoms you just described will not be as bad this time around. Congrats!

Deb said...

Yeah a baby, a baby, a baby! Congratulations.

Who knows maybe this little boy will be completely mellow? I do know a few moms out there with mellow boys.

I was laughing as I was reading this post because when I ever do get pregnant again we are all really hoping for another boy. But - I've been watching a little boy at my house for the past couple of weeks that is June's age and he is seriously crazy. Throwing things, breaking things, isn't happy unless he's outside, can't sit still for more than half a second...It's seriously got me reconsidering crossing my fingers for another boy. Boys are definitely a handful.

Just want to let you know you are an amazing mother and I'm positive that you will do great/are doing great raising all those future missionaries/husbands/dads. It is a tough job and it's nice to know that other people out there feel the same way I do. Love ya!

Deb

Wendy Jo said...

Aaaahhhh... I so hear you Kimmy! I have lived in a house full of boys my ENTIRE life and I love it. There are moments though I would just like to paint my nails for crying out loud! I have faced extremely unusual circumstances. My boys were so easy, I picked a month and got prego. Then we tried for 2 YEARS even did in-vitro even though they found nothing wrong with either of us... I was absolutely crushed it didn't work. I am way too young to have this be the end! BUT I had total FAITH in my HF that this was HIS plan and the sooner I got on board the sooner I would find happiness. I would never in a million years say that 2 boys is all I wanted. BUT thanks to my HF after months and years of having faith in him I have found contentment, happiness, and peace of mind. I did everything I could and this is what he knows me better than I know myself is best for me. Love ya Kimmy! Thanks for sharing :)

Brenda said...

Hello Sweet Kimmy!

CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so HAPPY FOR YOU! What EXCTIGING NEWS! Big Cheers for your Thanksgiving Trip to UTAH! (I missed Ben in the Nursery).

Believe me, I can relate to so much of what you are saying. I felt the same way with my number four BOY. I questioned my ability and all the things you are describing. Today, I can't imagine our Family coming any differently. My last Boy is my sweet boy who needed to come when he did.

I think the Lord knows how to send and plan our families far better then we do. You will be amazed at how the Lord will bless you and be with you, your thoughts will be completely taken over by the LOVE you have for this lucky new sweet baby boy coming!

You are a wonderful Mother! Your boys know and feel of your love for them. All the crazy stuff with BOYS happens, you will laugh at 98 percent of it later in life. When they are missionaries they will Thank you. You have so much to look forward to.

Like you...I also knew there was another little girl waiting, the feelings and assurance were so real.

My Mother and I bought a Baby Girl "Blessing" dress when I was expecting with my number 4 boy. Well, Brianna wore that Baby Girl Blessing Dress four years later. Unfortunately, my Mother wasn't with me, but yet she was with me!

Like you are saying..The bond between Mothers and duaghters and sisters is undescribable; Familes are Forever!

Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be so long. Hugs to you! I Can't wait to see you at Church!

Love, Brenda

Sarah Blue said...

Congratulations! Another baby is such a huge blessing. Loved the ranting and raving. I'm so glad that you had a peaceful answer. Let me know if you need any help.

You can always send those wild boys down to our house to play.

Good luck.

Stacie Robinson said...

I LOVED this post Kimmy. I only wish I can be half the mother you are.

Kumiko said...

congratulations on your pregnancy.
I kinda understand you. I wanted a baby girl for my family but i'm also having a another boy.(it'll be 3boys and 1girl) Oh,well....I hope you'll be happy and continue to do well especially during the pregnancy.

Sabra said...

I think girls are wonderful, and if I was crazy enough to have another child, I would hope for a girl, but...

My girls don't love me the way my boys do. Boys love in a different way. Tiny wrapped his arms around my neck in a hug the other day and said, "Mom, I like your neck. It's got scratches and stripes (wrinkles and acne) all over it."

Boys.

Plus, you can't ever have enough songs being sung in the back of the van with the theme of underwear and/or farting.

Ooooh, and I can't ever watch enough wrestling matches.

Church would be way too quiet without another boy in the ward.

Gotta love the boys.

Emmie Coggins said...

Congratulations! I can't believe that you are going to have 5 kids!!! Well actually I can believe that you would have a big family, but 5 is amazing. You are super woman.

Deb said...

Hey Kimmy. I was wondering if you would send me your address so I could send you a Christmas card.

Thanks
debcrittenden@gmail.com

TAMMY CLARIDGE said...

Kimmy... Kimmy. I read the post above this first and saw where you said you were pregnant and I thought I had missed out on a whole lot and then I read this one and realized it hasn't been too long so I don't feel as bad. But this post, this post made me laugh out loud, made tears fall like rain, made me think about my own personal experience and having almost the same reaction when I found out my 3rd was a boy and not the girl that I was so positive it was too. I love that you wear your heart on your sleeve and that Heavenly Father knows YOU and I best and that you are having another BOY!!! I am sure by now it has sunk in for you more. And not to be lighthearted... but that is why I will adopt a girl to be our 4th and last addition. Hahaha. You are too cute and I always thoroughly enjoy reading your blog! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

TAMMY CLARIDGE said...

I just read what I wrote and we aren't adopting as of yet. We want to put paperwork to hopefully adopt one day. No rumors, ok! And I give you Mother of the Year because I get just as bad as you (maybe a little worse... vomiting nonstop for 5 months) with each pregnancy and all the sciatica, etc you described and that is why I can't do it one more time. You my dear... are my hero.