My Ever Growing Appreciation and AWE!!

So, awhile ago, Jen and I talked about the possiblity of her going to Ladies Retreat for the weekend of February 19th to the 21st. Of course my first response was, "For sure. No problem sweetie. You deserve it. So, how many of the babies are you taking with you?"

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Then, when I woke up from the concussion about an hour later, I realized she means to leave me at home with all the babies and Caden for the entire weekend.

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Then, when I woke up after hyperventalating and passing out, I did decide that for sure she did earn this weekend away. I can do this for a weekend right? RIGHT?? I mean, how bad could it be. (you women out there can stop giggling now)

As time moved on, it turned out that my Mom wanted to go to Ladies Retreat as well so her, my Dad and my little brother Josh were going to come up just before the weekend and then Mom and Jen would go up to ladies retreat and us MEN would hang out at the house for the weekend and take care of the babies. So now, I am thinking Woo Hoo!! This is going to be easy. I mean, 3 Men can at least make up for one 5 ft tall Mother right? RIGHT?

WRONG!!! SOOOO WRONG!!!!

I have never been so exhausted in my life and I have come to realize how amazing my wife is. Now this is no slight to my Dad and Brother. They were helpful. And they for sure made some things easier. But they are no Jen. It was non-stop running from morning till night all weekend long. It was a never ending stream of.... "Dylan...get off the table, Liam...stop taking Evan's soother, can someone get Evan a band aid, Caden... put some pants on, Dylan.... get off the counter top, Evan...stop running into the wall, LOOK UP for goodness sake, DYLAN...GET OFF THE CEILING FAN, Liam...are you peeing on the floor? SERIOUSLY?!?!?"

Then there was the constant pick up toys, feed babies, make bottles, do dishes, change diapers, pick up toys, feed babies, make bottles, do dishes, change diapers, change diapers ( I know I just said that twice but the babies now like to wait till just after you change them before they re-fill them with toxic waste) pick up toys......

ALL

WEEKEND

LONG

And NO there are no pictures. Are you kidding me. There was no time for taking pictures. We did the bare minimum. And by bare, I mean the kids wore the same pajamas all weekend long, there was no laundry done, I didn't make my bed, I didn't vaccuum the floor and I wore pajamas all day Saturday. When Jen finally walked into the house on Sunday, I cried and fell at her feet and begged forgiveness. Then I told her she is never going anywhere again and I promptly put a house arrest collar on her ankle.

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When I woke up from my second concussion, I removed the house arrest collar.


In all seriousness, we do put in a lot of work. Day in and day out we put in a lot of hours trying to meet the needs of the kids, keep them happy, and keep up with the house work. And the repetitiveness of our tasks make the days seem long and can drive you mad. How Jen looks after all the kids all day until I get home and still manage to get all the things done that she does has to be one the great wonders of the world. And the only person she fails is herself. She doesn't take enough for her. She deserved this weekend and it was a pleasure to do, but she needs more.

So here is a call out to all her friends. Come and take her out of the house. Go for coffee. Go out to eat. Go to a movie... Whatever. But make sure she gets back home by 9 cause if you don't, she will fall asleep in your car and then you have to carry her in. I will already be sleeping in the house.

Thanks Jen. I Love and Appreciate You.

Justin