This Morning

Was awakened to the sound of Velcro being unfastened at 7:05 this morning.  My 15 month old has figured out how to fold up the floor of the playpen he sleeps in, and use it as a step stool to climb out.  So, I quickly get up,  say "No, no, don't do that." and lay back down, hoping beyond hope that he'll just go back to sleep. No such luck! And thus begins another day for this Mama.

Hi, I'm Jena.  I'm a 33 year old wife, and mother of 7.  Our children range in ages from almost 13 to 15 months.  The oldest two boys are from my husband's first marriage, so I'm not only a mom, but also a stepmom.  It is nothing like the movies, where the kids hate you at first but you do some really awesome thing that only you can do, and they magically begin to accept you.  Let me tell you, it is an uphill battle most of the time.  The thing is, they have a mom and they love her.  And, in this case, their mom's house is way less "ruled" than our house.  Of course, she only has the two of them, so its easier to be lenient than when you have 5-7 children filling the house.  So, there's that, and then there's the fact that I am the more outgoing, stricter parent here, and my husband is a meeker, milder kind of person... laid back, allowing, and unaware of the fact that the kids are even breaking the house rules half of the time because he just doesn't see it and think about it like I do.

But, my husband... where do I even begin?  He is the most amazing man I've ever met!  He is a simple country guy, but boy does he know how to love... not only me, but he loves God, and he loves our kids too.   What more could a gal ask for?  Nothing, that's what!  He works hard, is faithful, dedicated his heart to following God, and he can't wait to get home to us every day.  I'm greeted with loving hugs and kisses when he walks in the door every afternoon.  I receive several texts and/or phone calls throughout the day telling me how much I am loved, and missed.  His favorite country song is "If I Could Make a Living Out of Loving You" because he wishes he could get paid to demonstrate the extent of his love.  I have to say, I am a blessed woman, for sure.

Anyway, a friend of mine made a comment about how she'd be interested to read about my daily life, as a mom, and it reminded me that I had been thinking to start a blog for that very reason.... to give a glimpse of a stay-home Mom of 5(or 7, depending on the day).  So, here I am. It may not be the most glamorous, exotic, or even interesting, at times, but it is my reality... and maybe yours, too.  So, I hope you can relate, be encouraged, and enjoy the tidbits of my life that I'm able to share.

With that said, it has taken me 15 minutes to type this much, because I've had to stop and break up a fight, put a child in timeout for telling me "No", answer questions, and hear my 8 year old describe the little game he's playing on his Leapster.   I'll check in later. :)