I thought I had seen every single facial expression associated with the emotion of surprise and disbelief when we had the triplets. I was wrong. We have experienced a whole new level of looks from folks when we told them we were expecting lucky number seven. Let's face it, we checked our sanity at the door when we decided to have a third. Anything after that has been pure padded room behavior. Of everyone we have told, I was, quite frankly, the most surprised. I know what your thinking: maybe someone should sit her down for the birds and the bees talk if she's surprised. But really, I was breastfeeding triplets and am not a spring chicken. I thought time was on my side. But Mike and I always thought we needed just one more. We said it in the recovery room as I held the trips in my arms.
So it wasn't as if we didn't want this miracle to happen but as with all miracles, they take your breath away.
Being the youngest in a family of eleven children, I will be the first to tell you how crazy a big family can be. We have been so lucky so far with our kids that I keep wondering if this will be the one that is difficult, mean, obnoxious etc. but I believe that a strong foundation in our faith and a heck of a lot of time and vigilance on our part has helped sculpt these kids into exceptional human beings who hopefully contribute versus help deconstruct humanity. I try to stop bad behavior before it happens a second time but I also spend a whole day cheering good behavior that may seem mediocre to most. I listen to every story they tell no matter how busy I am and make a point to try and spend time with each individually. My lips hurt from kissing so much and my hands have never felt the sting of a spank. In short, I am a mother doing the best that she can. This is my greatest calling in life and I want to suck the marrow out of this experience and hopefully, if I am very lucky, as I help raise these little miracles, I can have a glimpse into how much my Savior loves and cares for me no matter how undeserving I am at times. How he loves me perfectly even when I am so imperfect. So join us on the Harris roller coaster of parenthood with lucky number seven due in the Fall.
