Sometimes in a fairly large family where the majority of it is children the volume can get very loud. Today was one of those day where everyone in the house decided to let themselves be heard. Matthew is usually the most vocal, so as the volume of his brothers increase he needs to increase his more.

The twins are almost two, yes two and they now know what they want but are not able to ask for it. So they are getting frustrated and when everyone is home, up and running around they feel the chaos and are starting to join in. I find it very enjoyable to watch them develop, and show who they will be one day. However today I’ve about hit my limit with everyone wanting to be heard.

When all of this is going on I have to remind myself “They are only small for a short time. I need to cherish these moments. One day I’m going to be sitting a house all alone with just the sound of the TV.

I remember when the subject of Krystal being pregnant first came up. I was driving, my mom was next to me and Krystal on the passenger side, We were driving a truck. Krystal said she haven’t been feeling well lately and my mom asked her if she was pregnant. Without hesitation Krystal said “it would be Immaculate Conception if I am” Yea…Well we keep reminding her that Collin is a miracle!

Collin being my first grandson from my only daughter, which I adore, has a very special place in my heart. It is hard for me to tell him no, however he is a very good kid. He is almost 11 now and is almost in Middle School. I have to take a breath every time I think about that. He will no longer give us a kiss goodbye when I walk with him to the school. When we are at home he will only kiss my cheek.

Collin got his own room this year and he will stay in there all day if you let him. Krystal has never been one of the parents that allows the kids to play video games much. They still don’t have a play system. I just moved my Wii system from my room to the dining room. We moved the desk Collin had in his room into the dining room because the older boys discovered it and was in my room more than I wanted them to be. I’m not ready for him to be acting like he is teenager already. I just need to keep reminding him how special he is.

When Collin was four Krystal had Matthew. During Labor with Collin, Krystal wanted any and all the drugs the hospital would give her. With Matthew Krystal went all natural. No hospital, no drugs, she went to a birthing center to have him. Krystal was very protective with him, she held him all the time and almost never let me hold him. She would tell me that “he was her baby”.

Matthew is a very sweet and loving boy, he tells me all the time that I look beautiful and he loves me. Than almost with the next breath he switches personalities and throws a huge fit. I mean on the floor screaming, crying, not listening to anything anyone says to him. I almost think when he is in that moment he can’t hear anyone, he isn’t able to focus on anything except what he wants and he heard someone say no. He is six now he should be past acting this way. He is our loving, sweet, problem child.

I keep thinking if I show him more love and patience, he will get past this and act like a caring considerate child. But then he throws another fit and then I think he needs to have a strict punishment. I’m not a parent that believes spanking are the answer, especially with a belt. I do however believe a few well placed smacks on the bottom shows them I mean business. Although when I do whip him, I feel really bad for day.

The twins were born four years after Matthew, yea…do you see a pattern? Right after Krystal found out she was pregnant, I told her she was going to have twins this time and have to get a mini van. Of course I was kidding I really didn’t belive this was going to come true…However… I guess I didn’t know my power.

One day Krystal called me crying early on in her last pregnancy she had been bleeding very heavily and thought maybe she had lost the baby. We went to the hospital to see what was wrong. This had to have been the longest wait time ever. I had to leave to get the older boys from school before Krystal got in to see a doctor. So we went home and waited for her. I was very worried she may have lost the baby and when she pulled up I was almost in tears waiting to hear the news.

She was very calm when she came in, sat down, said the baby is fine. Then she sat Collin on her lap and said…Collin how would you like to have two babies join us. OK, I’m sure the neighbors heard me yell…I TOLD YOU…OH MY GOD, I TOLD YOU… We all laughed and I yelled again, YOU HAVE TO GET A VAN…

Although watching the kids everyday can be a challenge at times I am truly blessed. They all are slowly showing and developing their personality and I get to watch them flurish into the beautiful souls they are meant to be.