I have a big announcement to make! Drum roll please….we’re expecting baby #3! Apparently, this is all going to be happening July 15th. (Or thereabouts). I am very happy, excited, tired, thrilled, more tired, and a bit terrified! We will have a 6 year old and 2 under 2 at that point. Having babies this close together is new to me with the exception of our time with our precious foster son. (Who, you may recall, was just 8 months older than our younger daughter.)

 As I attempt to mentally prepare myself for the changes ahead, I thought it might be helpful to breakdown some of the areas in our home and life that will need some adjusting.

 

 

#1 Foster Care

We have decided to keep an open mind when it comes to this. My husband has given me the freedom to decide what I can handle here at home, and I am trusting God to give me wisdom as situations arise. I will never be known as a “fly by the seat of my pants” kinda gal, but I feel that I’ve got to let God bring both the opportunities and the wisdom I need. Sometimes that may mean being open-minded, other times it may require a more concrete plan. Once again, I am thankful for the freedom we have to accept placements when we’re ready.

#2 Homeschooling

I don’t think I’ve shared this with you yet, but we choose to home school our oldest. I was a teacher for 7 years, so you’d think I’d have a handle on this, right? Ha-wrong! Talk about a learning experience, and I don’t just mean for the kindergartner! What a year this has been of being stretched, unsure, challenged and delighted in my daughter.

One of the biggest challenges has been making school a priority. We have weekly and bi-weekly co-op groups we are blessed to be a part of, but making sure school is a priority at home can be a challenge. Thankfully, I have seen a lot of maturity in my daughter as she gives her efforts to learning. With a third baby coming, I need a lot of wisdom on how to continue this trend. Any mamas with advice in this area are invited to comment!

#3 Mothering

Anyone else find mothering and homemaking exhausting at times? Whether you work at home or away from home, if seems like nothing stretches a mama more than taking care of home and kiddos. If you have an involved hubby, that lifts the load in incredible ways, but it is still exhausting none-the-less. Nothing has made me more aware of my self-centeredness and control issues than mothering. The exhaustion of pregnancy has had me whining on the inside (and outside!) more than I care to think about. As I observe my 5 year old struggling with the same complaining attitude, I am forced to take some credit. (And show some grace!)

 

I am asking, no begging, God to prepare me for this very big change and to help me to do it with grace. We mamas can be so hard on ourselves. Maybe the breastfeeding thing didn’t work out, maybe we lost our patience, maybe we let our little ones watch too many episodes of Daniel Tiger so we could rest. Whatever it is, let’s show ourselves a little grace! This is the only way we can have grace for our husbands and kids as well.

Oh and, by the way, will someone please remind me I said this in about 6 months, please?