If you were to drop by my house at any random moment, my kitchen will more than likely look like this.

I think the blurry-ness of the picture adds to the chaotic feeling.

And that used to stress me out to no end.  I want to offer a beautiful, organized home.  I used to have one.  A place where it looks like I was just waiting for you to drop by!  I want you to feel special!  A place where there is a cup of coffee waiting to be shared! 

Here is what the Lord has been showing me. 

People are more important than messes.

My children are more important that having a clean house.  ML, spend time with them and look in their eyes when you talk and not over your shoulder while doing the dishes.

Inviting friends over and sharing food and conversation is more important than having a beautiful {magazine-ish} home to invite them to. ML, invite your friends anyway!
  
Talking to and spending time with a friend or neighbor for the beautiful creation they are is more important than the {scary?!} mess in their life.  ML, call and talk anyway!  Even when it’s uncomfortable.

People first, mess later.

When I remember back to when Jesus became my everything, I had a yucky 16 year old life.  Nothing to offer to my Maker, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, but a bunch of mess ups, selfishness, and vanity….yet, He loved me first.  He didn’t wait for me to clean my mess up first.  In fact, His LOVE is what cleaned my mess up.  

When I meet people first, the mess isn’t nearly as overwhelming as I thought it would be. 

 Thank you, Jesus, for seeing me and not my mess.

I’m still working on this daily.  It’s a struggle to not cringe at the messes being created every second.  It’s frustrating to get through half a load of laundry folding just to be stopped by a ‘MA-MAAAAA!’ (and then not finish that load until 3 days later) – I’m fighting to not ignore the MAMAAAAAA in order to finish that load.  I have to be flexible.  To be bent and molded and remade.  Not my expectations, but His.   Not my will, but His. 

People are more important than messes.

Oh, and please stop by!  Share that cup of coffee with me. I’m so *wanting* to welcome you to sit and visit with me for a while.  Just know, I might have to wash the cup first! 

Hey Sweet Little Blog,

Wow!  I can’t believe it has been almost 3 months since I’ve written!  Life is growing and abounding much faster that I can record it.  I so want to be present in the lives of all my bebes – and more importantly- my Man, so you have taken a back seat for a bit. 

I have thought of you often – my mind playing guilt trips on me at times –

‘you didn’t record that!’ 

‘You’ve only done updates on two of your children!’

 ‘Will you remember this?!’ 

But here’s the deal, I have been present.  Present to my people, not off recording what my people have done.    I have snapped pics here and there on my sweet little iPhone that was a gift from Chris. (so grateful for that!!)  I have memories captured there.  And I do have memories scribbled on my heart, too.  Just in a way that is more like my grandmothers’ hearts were scribbled on (and not recorded).  I’ve taken this time to re-prioritize what I want, and what I want this blog to be —-> REAL, me – faults and all – shining what Jesus is doing in my life (mostly through motherhood).  I hope to be back recording, soon.  But, we will see what that looks like.  I will eventually update Crews, Maverick, and Haven’s life!  I am just determined to be present in their lives first.  Oh, and if you think I can update you after they go to bed – ha!  I spend time with Chris and then go to bed myself! (If I don’t sleep I have an even more difficult time staying present!)

Thankful for the grace of Jesus during this super busy season in our lives.

And readers – are there any of you left?!?!   I hope this encourages you to not worry about recording every little detail!  Fight to be present!

Haven is almost 6 months old!?!  Time flys!!!!!

Hi there!

Linking up with Kelly’s Korner and Moms with Big Families.

My name is Mary Lindsey and I am a 30 year old Mama to 5! We have Harper Grace (4), Warner, Crews, and Maverick (2 1/2), and Haven Joy (3 months).

Chris and I met at Liberty University in 2002 and were married April 17, 2004.

A quick history…

– Had a tough time getting pregnant (almost 2 years) when I found out I had to have surgery to have some polyps removed.

– We got pregnant 3 months later.

– Harper was born February 2008 after a healthy pregnancy.

– Found out I was pregnant when Harper was 9 months old – shocked!

– Found out we were expecting triplets when she was 10 months old -SHOCKED! No fertility meds, no history of triplets in our family.  My uncles are twins, though.

– Boys were born at 35 weeks after carrying them with out any problems!  Praise the Lord!  They were in the hospital room with us that night, and came home with us 3 days later! Wow!

– Found out they definitely were identical when they were 10 months and had to have some blood work done.  Amazed!

– Felt the Lord was calling us to have one more.  Had a miscarriage December 2010. Had a D&C December 17, 2010.

– Haven Joy was born December 15, 2011!!!  We came home from the hospital and completed our family December 17, 2011. 

God remembers details.  Still praising Him for His blessings.

I won’t lie, our days are hard with this many little ones; however, they are getting easier and easier. So thankful for the blessings He has entrusted to Chris and I!  Look forward to ‘meeting’ other Moms of big families! 

PS  I will keep updating on the members of our family over the next week.  Had to take a time out on the blog as we were dealing with round 2 of pnemonia and RSV – this time with the boys!  I will be one happy Mama to see the arrival of spring and summer!!   

Sweet Warner Boy,

You are 2 1/2 years old and allll boy!  You have such a sweet heart.

Here are some things you are doing these days…
 
You love your blanket and love sucking your thumb.  I love when you wake up in the morning and from you nap because you love to snuggle with me on the couch. 

You also love giving kisses.  However, you dont make the kissy noise by puckering your lips.  You make it by clicking your tongue against the roof of your mouth. You click your tongue, then silently kiss your recipient. So the noise comes before the actual kiss.  It’s too cute and I know will only last a little while longer.

You like to wear one shoe at a time.  Crocs with SpongeBob on the front are the shoes of choice around here, and I can usually find you wearing just one.  These shoes were meant to be throw-away-summer-shoes (last summer) and quickly became morning-noon-night, naked-clothed-wearing-jammie-shoes. 

You have the craziest hair because you rub the front of your head in your crib when you sleep.  It is usually a matted mess every morning you wake up.  I don’t bother combing it out because it helps distinguish your look from Maverick (to others, of course).

blowing out Aunt Nancy’s birthday candle

You love to have alone time.  Sometimes our house can get very loud.  You and your brothers love to wrestle and agitate each other.  Harper does too.  However, you get fed up with it on occasion.  I can find you reading a book or playing with blocks in the playroom. Alone.  (Mind if I join you sometime? :-))

wasn’t diggin the photo shoot

You have a little temper.  It’s true. I think once you are able to communicate a bit better with your words it will settle down.

Speaking of language, you say only a handful of words.  All three of you haven’t said much until around January.  Language delay is very common with multiples.  Y’all had/have your own language.  It was so funny.  Anyway, we are in the process of getting you evaluated.  Our pediatrician is not worried at all and says you will all be caught up by the time you are in kindergarten.  I’ve already seen your speech improve in the last 2 weeks.  I know there will be much freedom for you when you find your words.

You know all of your ABC’s and can count to 20 even though you don’t really say words yet.  I love it when you just randomly break into the ABC’s when playing or walking down the stairs… Q, R, S, T U, V… so funny!

You scream really loud and it sounds like a whistle.  Your scream can mean you are mad because someone took something from you, or it can mean you are really excited about something. Kind of confusing and usually makes me come running! Ha!

You love sleep.  You are usually the first one to sleep, and easily go to sleep by yourself – even at preschool.  You rarely wake in the middle of the night.  If you do, I know you are sick.

 Just a month ago, you had you had an ear infection and had a rough time sleeping.  But, thankfully, it was your first sickness (other than a cold) in a long time.

You still have awful eczema, but very healthy lungs.  Crews and Mav seem to have gotten rid of the eczema (still have small traces of it), but are showing the beginning signs of mild asthma.  (supposedly in identical multiples, these two things go hand in had – with one child having eczema and one (or two) having asthma)  I’m praying you out grow them – more than likely you will. 

Warner, Maverick (eating a graham cracker), and Crews (with a busted lip)

When you get hurt or don’t like something, you squint your eyes and have a very concerned look on your face and say ‘Ooooooooo.’  It’s so cute.

You love love love preschool!  You are always very excited to play with your friends.  It gives you a good time away from the house and helps you learn to interact with others.  We really don’t go anywhere other than school.  Even church hasn’t been consistent in a loooonggg time.  We will be back in the habit soon – Mommy has missed church sooooo much!

Sweet story…last week you had to miss preschool because I wasn’t sure you were getting a cold or dealing with allergies.  You adored reading books with me.  It was so quiet in the house that you just kept getting up to find another book when we were done with one.  I think I might keep you home from preschool more often to do just this!  When your brothers are here, everything is just so busy.   All of you get easily distracted!  I now know,  you are capable of sitting still to read more than one book!

playing on your MobiGo you got for Christmas

You usually hang out with Maverick, but surprisingly I couldn’t find a picture of the two of you together!  Maybe its because I try to capture when you are hanging out with Harper or Crews more.  Ha!

Warner and Crews

Warner and Harper

You are very sweet to Haven.  At first you didn’t care that Haven had joined us – wouldn’t even pay her a bit of attention.  But then, you would hear her on the monitor crying.  You would come get me and point to it saying ‘OOooooo.’  Now, you are very sweet to her and call her Haby or Haben.  I will find you checking on her when she is in her bouncy seat or patting her tummy when she is on the sofa. 

 I love you Warner, and the sweetness and spunk you bring to our family.  I look forward to watching you grow into a little boy this year.  We’ve got a lot ahead of us – turning three in July, potty training this summer, and moving into a big boy bed!

All my love~
Mommy

My Precious Girl,

Watching you grow is an absolute joy!  I cannot believe how big you are at 4 years old!

As of your 4 year old well visit, you are tall (41.38 in = 3.45 ft) 90th percentile) and thin (33.9 lbs – 48th percentile) and you never stop moving.  Our pediatrician said you have a low heart rate and asked if you were an active child.  I had to chuckle to myself because you rarely stop moving.  With 3 younger brothers, I guess that’s not a luxury around here.

You have stopped taking a nap.  I was bound and determined that you would nap until you were 5, but I only get one out of you every few days, now.  You do have quiet time watching a movie, coloring, or looking at books. Once Haven is having consistent naps at the same time the brothers are napping, I will look forward to this one on one time with you. Right now, I still need a rest time due to having an infant.

Amelia’s Tea & Bakery for Harper’s 4th birthday

We are transitioning out of the ‘trying’ threes.  That was a hard year – we were both defining our roles and learning where the boundary lines are laid in our family. While we still have some struggling days, I can see how sweet your disposition is, and what a helper you are to me.

Harper’s very own Winston

 The other day at lunch, life was pretty crazy.  I had made chicken nuggets and taken them out of the oven.  Haven was crying and 2 of the boys needed their diapers changed.  So, lunch was put on hold.  I usually don’t announce this because it causes everyone to melt down.  You, however, noticed, and did not melt down, but did something very, very grown up.  You put everyone’s chicken nuggets on their plates, squeezed out ketchup (had to get it out of the fridge!), put goldfish on the plates, and then put everyone’s plates on the table!!  Then, you told me that lunch was ready!  You and your brothers all sat together at our little art table. You helped each boy into their chairs and squeezed ketchup refills when they needed them.  You did not want me to do a thing!  I sat back and watched completely amazed at how content and happy you were serving your brothers.  It was so very precious. Are you sure you are only four?!

You are eating much better, too. For a while, you would only eat bites of this and that – your preference was always sugar.  Dinner time was always a battle to get you to eat, but now you are eating a lot of the food on your plate with out me even asking you to take another bite. So big!

sweets are still choice #1

You love your little sister so much and haven’t shown one ounce of jealousy.  You love to help me with her diapers and can *almost* change it by yourself!  (You might want to slow down your learning speed on this one, dear one – just kidding)  You nurse your baby while I nurse Haven, and I think that is the sweetest.  I love our time together being mommies.

yes, we match

You love art work and painting and using scissors.  You love to read as well.  It is fun to see your attention span develop as you will sit and watch an ENTIRE movie now.

You are asking a lot of questions. The other day we were in the car, and I was praying out loud. You asked me if I was talking to myself and I told you I was talking to Jesus.  I had to explain that we can’t see Jesus with our eyes, but we can talk to him about anything. He is always listening.  {A friend of mine told me that our home is our biggest mission field.  We have 5 little souls that we need to show the love of Jesus.  Our children need to see Him in us, and watch our relationship with Him.}  We say our prayers every night together, and you never fail to pray for every member of our family as well as Winston, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Will – yes, Winston comes first.

celebrating Aunt Nancy’s 25th birthday

You just gave up your pacifier 2 weeks ago.  I know, you had it until you were 4!    So, you are officially a little girl and not a baby anymore!    More on this to come!!!  It was a BIG DEAL, but you were incredibly brave!!

I’m so proud of you, sweet girl. I pray for your heart to know Jesus every single night.  He is your everything.  He loves you through and through – much more than Daddy or I could ever love you.

All my love~
Mommy

 photo credit -my sis – Nancy Ray :: except the paci one