Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Extreme Life Makeover - Part 1

I was thrown into my current position as Manager of Our Big Family almost overnight. It was a "sink or swim" type of transition for me. I had very little experience in running a home and no experience at juggling the needs of several children at a time.  Ryan and I were basically still newlyweds with only four years of marriage behind us. Our oldest daughter Abby (now 8) was three at the time and her sister Emmalie (now almost 5) was just weeks away from being born.  Within a two month span I became mommy of one to "mommy" of seven.

Thirteen years ago this past Valentine's Day my mom adopted a sibling group from an orphanage in Russia, three little boys and one girl.  At the time of their adoption they were ages 4,5,6, and 7.  At the time of my mom's death, when they became ours to raise they were 13,14,15 and 16.

I won't lie to you, the first year I almost drown -- doing mostly sinking and very little swimming. But slowly I began to put systems in place in our home for everything from meals to laundry to chores. I established routines that everyone could count on. I quickly saw the security this gave everyone, including myself, and I began to enjoy the sensation of gliding through the water instead of letting it force me under.

Recently, after the birth of Sadie~Ryan, I began to have the same sensation of barely hanging on to my life raft while the waves of life were getting the best of me. This time it was for different reasons and not at all as difficult as what I went through back then.  I recognized the signs. I knew what to do when the waves started to overtake me. I was prepared.

Last week I woke up and announced to Ryan that I had had enough!!! It was time for an Extreme Life Makover!  And that's when the fun began.......

2 comments:

Holli said...

I can't wait to read more! I'm Ryan's friend from high school and I've heard a bit about you guys from some mutual friends, but I'll be glad to read your story. :)

The Schwab Family! said...

I too am a friend of Ryan's from school. You have already amazed me and I am looking forward to read more!

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