Mom of Many - Intro to The Family

This is probably going to be the most boring post I make, but I feel like all of this has to start somewhere, and why not with my family?

I'm currently a mom of 6, plus two cats, a dog and two guinea pigs - who I've disowned, not because they're not cute, but because my kids don't seem to be able to properly clean up after them. Yes, they still live with us and sing their squeaky songs when we walk by the small bathroom that houses their cage, (more on that later), but they are unequivocally disowned. For those who are sad right now, no, it's not their fault.

Of my six children, four are school aged, and three of those have diagnosed ADHD. The fourth is being diagnosed today, undoubtedly. No badge of honor here, but again, more on the ADHD later as it plays a huge role in who I have become as a Mom.

Here are the characters in my story:

Henry: Henry is 13 and the oldest of our crew. He is undoubtedly the best big brother. He loves babies. Henry is an avid reader, and most of the time a very even-headed kid. The teen years have just started, so we'll see as he moves on through his life. Henry has a hidden ADHD that wasn't caught until 3rd grade. He's not usually hyper - no more than a normal kid, but he's hyperfocus. There have been times this kid has been so focused that he forgot to breathe, and threw up.

Emily: Emily is 10. For the longest time she was the only girl in a world full of brothers. She's TOUGH. We recently had our sixth child and our second little girl. Emily was so happy when she found out that she cried. She's an amazing sister and she's great at encouraging everyone, even me. She's close to God and Jesus, and it breaks my heart when she enters public school art contests and adds in a "I Love God" line and loses. When I'm stressed she'll tell me that "It's ok" or that "It'll get better soon" and you know what? It's not patronizing, she really means it.

Timothy: Timothy is 8 and has had us going crazy since he was born. He's the hyperactive type of ADHD and was also diagnosed with ODD. He's amazing though. If you can picture the most hyper bunny in the world - Energizer X10 - that is Timothy unmedicated. But you know what? Energizer X10 is the intensity of the love he shows to people too. I've never met a kid who can love like this one. On top of his ADHD he's Dyslexic/Dysgraphic, but it doesn't seem to bother him much. He reads what he wants to read and leaves the rest out. Video games are his favorite thing to read by far, and I'm pretty sure he plays them in his dreams.

Alexander: Alexander is 5 years old. He is a relatively calm, soft spoken child who you would never in 100 years guess would be up to trouble. You would almost think he was shy and contemplative, but he's got you fooled. Alexander is my "oh, it's just a phase" child - and then the "phase" is still around two years later. He's loveable and huggable and clingy to the point that I feel like I need a crowbar... but the second I pry him off, he will steal a jug of water from the recycle, get the mint extract out of the highest cabinet in the kitchen - the one I can't even reach without a stool - mix it with his own urine, add a few markers for color and then stash it in his room for weeks. But, it's just a phase, right?

William: William is not quite 2 years old, but he's one of the big kids. He was made a big brother much earlier in life than my other children, but he's great with the baby. A bit rough on occasion, but it's not intentional. It's clear he thinks the baby is cute and sweet, but he wants to play with the big kids. He and Alexander get into it occasionally because they want the same toy, but what William really wants is to be hanging out with the other boys, playing football and talking about girls. He's a old soul for a two year old.

Danielle: Danielle is our baby. She's four months old. She has the biggest blue eyes that I am hoping won't change color, and an amazing toothless smile. She's started kissing recently, with her entire tongue - which is surprisingly large for a baby and very slimy. She was the blessing we didn't know we needed to top off our family of 8.

Hal: My partner in crime is Hal. He's the amazing father of these six monsters. I'm also pretty sure he's the genetic supplier of the ADHD gene. He's absolutely the love of my life and with him even the tough things seem manageable. Yes, I'm sappy when it comes to him. Yes, it's mostly sunshine and roses, and Yes, sometimes it's not, but we are both aligned in the important things, including, we want this marriage thing to work.

Kristian: Yep, that is me. Incase you've read my name like nearly every other American, it's the feminie form of "Christian" not Kristen, Crystal, or Kristin. I gave up the name battle pretty early though and I'll answer to anything that starts with "Chris". I try to be a good wife, mother, and friend but I find that I am often in my own world. After the first thirty seconds, small talk is like mashing a cheese grater into my forehead, but I try for other people. With that being said I absolutely love other people. If I was less practical, I'd say I had 100 best friends, but alas, the quote from Harry Potter comes to mind, "...friends that don't even write to Harry Potter?" I tend to be much more committed to other people than they are to me, and I'm thankful for my practical side that keeps the hurt to a minimum.

To wrap things up, we have a labrador who is going on two years old named Bonnie, a fluffy orange Tabby cat named Merlin, and Tuxedo named Ceasar and two guinea pigs named Lily and Fleur and so many unexpected adventures that I don't know where to start.