The beauty of big families

I'm very late on posting about Easter, but better late than never.... for Easter break we went for a week to visit my sister, her husband, and their 12 kids. Yes, my sister has 12 children. People are always shocked when I say that, and I guess really big families are pretty rare these days, but my sister and her husband happily have 12 children and their family is absolutely beautiful. I wish we lived closer and could see them more often, because visiting with them is always wonderful.

One of the best things about a big family is that there is always something to do and someone with whom to play. Belle and Bug were in Heaven having 12 cousins to play with all day. Especially since my sister has 2 little girls almost the exact same ages as Belle and Bug, so the 4 little toddler girls had a blast playing house, "cooking", and pushing each other on the swings. It was so cute to watch them all play together and help each other collect Easter eggs.

We had perfect weather almost the whole week (after the first day when it snowed?!?), and we had so much fun. The kids played on the trampoline and the swing set, and the family enjoyed a backyard soccer game (I was very bummed that I was too pregnant to participate in this).

We went to tour a distillery, which the Officer and my BIL thoroughly enjoyed.

We had an evening by the fire with s'mores, and one day the Officer and I were able to sneak away for an afternoon date.

We celebrated the Triduum at their beautiful Church, and had a delicious Easter lunch followed by an exciting Easter egg hunt. Another perk about a big family is that the teenagers got to mastermind the egg hunt- they filled the 200 eggs (I can't remember the final count, but it was outrageous!), and then the teenagers had fun hiding them (one egg was even attached to a fishing rod and my nephew pulled it away from his brother across the yard when he tried to get it)- my sister and I got to just come out and enjoy watching the fun without doing any of the work!

Their whole family was so generous, and gave up beds for us, so that we had 2 whole rooms to ourselves (super sleeper Bug had her own room in a house with 18 people in it!). The family worked together to make yummy dinners every night, and it always looked so easy for everyone to just take different jobs and have a big dinner ready that could feed all of us. I also always love getting parenting advice from my sister and BIL, who are definitely expert parents at this point. They make raising kids look so easy- don't get me wrong they make so many sacrifices for their children every day. They have chosen having children over other things, and of course that means work but wow you can see it so clearly in their lives that choosing children has also meant so much joy! I'm so grateful that they let us come stay with them for the week and add to their fun =)

We had a wonderful Easter!

Hot

Our air conditioning stopped working last Thursday, and it has been hot. We were scheduled to have people come check the air conditioner today... they were supposed to be here between 9:00-1:00. It's 2:45, and I just got a message that they are on their way. It is also 93 degrees outside right now. I'm also 33 weeks pregnant. My first two babies were winter babies, so I had no clue what being really pregnant in the summer was like.... wow I need to have all winter babies from now on. Yesterday, the girls and I spent the afternoon walking around Target and their nice air conditioned facility (we definitely would have done the same today if we didn't have to stay at home waiting for the workmen to get here). It is bearable as long as I can sit still on the couch with the fan on me, but as soon as I have to function as an actual human and cook dinner (ah the oven!) or do some other chore... wow the suffocating heat kicks in.  Yes, I'm definitely being dramatic, but it's hot!

They don't look like they are suffering too much.... I guess I'm the only wimp in the Mik house

So, of course I needed to play my "at least" game today. At least it's not July heat. At least my house usually has air conditioning!  At least when I'm in the car I can blast the air conditioning. At least my girls have not complained a single time even with hair sweating to their foreheads- they are still insisting on sleeping with their big blankets on them (but I was able to convince them to lose the socks). At least the AC van just got here..... let's hope they can fix it!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms out there. I have been really lucky to have some wonderful women in my life showing me what a great mother looks like. I grew up with 2 loving, generous Grandmothers, an inspiring Godmother, and 5 older sisters, who are some of the best mothers and Godmothers I know. Then I married the Officer and gained a perfect Mother-in-law. I have learned so much from all of these women, but of course, the most important woman in my life is my dear Mom.

My Mom has 7 children and 30 grandchildren, but even that is not enough people for her to love. If you have ever met my Mom she has given you one of her huge hugs, she has probably made dinner for you, baked congo squares for you, asked about your day, offered you a place to sleep, and she has definitely reminded you to "be holy". She is a Mom to everyone she meets.

Even after 30 grandchildren, she is still always so happy to hold a baby!

Belle and Bug love Grandma!

Thank you Mom for teaching me so much about how I should love. Thank you for showing me that every life is precious, and thank you for be willing to constantly sacrifice for your family. I hope I'm a Mom just like you. You are the most incredible Mother and Grandmother, and I thank God for you every day.

wedding dress shopping..... she has been there for every big moment in my life

On this Mother's Day I'm also thankful that I have 2 sweet little girls who call me Mommy. It is the absolute best job in the world!