Family

You know that old saying, "It takes a village to raise a child?" Well, what does it take to raise 3 children - New York City??? These days I'm feeling so very blessed to have my in-laws and parents so close by....they are the best...seriously. Between me studying for school, trying to keep sick kids away from each other, Scott having his gallbadder removed, me having my wisdom teeth taken out next week (ahhhhh!), the gazillion 30th birthdays we're celebrating this year, and the list goes on and on, I have no idea what I would do without them. They are so quick to offer to help and I'm even quicker to take them up on it.

A few years ago, when Sienna was about 1, we seriously contemplated moving to North Carolina - either Charlotte or Raleigh. We were sick of Northern Virigina and wanted a fresh start in a somewhat familar, close, but not too close to home, location. We thought we could manage on our own and we probably could have, but boy am I glad we decided against it! One child is easy enough to manage on your own, (You don't actually realize this until after you have your second and then your third...) but juggling all these kids and all of our plans/medical issues/school/etc. would not have been manageable in Somewhere, North Carolina. Don't get me wrong, there is still something appealing about moving down there - the slightly warmer winters, the low housing prices and the southern charm, but the most unappealing thing is not having our family close. I know I've said this before, but I have no idea what I would do without them. :)

This past weekend was nuts! It went something like this...
early Friday morning - Hudson throws up 3 times.
5:30 am - Mom & Dad Coghlan arrive to take care of the kids.
7:30 am - Scott has his gallbladder removed.
10:00 am - We get home from the hospital.
12:00 pm - Mom and Dad C. take the kids to Mom & Dad Longendyke's house
6:00 pm - I pick up the kids and take them back to Mom & Dad C's house to spend the night.
7:30 pm - Hudson throws up again.
Saturday morning - Mom takes Sienna to gymnastics (in Manassas!) and she doesn't want to participate - she wants to "shop for leotards and watch." Hmm, is this really my kid?
Saturday afternoon - My parents fight the crowds at the train show. Hudson passes out in the stroller after one ride on Thomas.
Saturday evening - Sienna begs me to let her spend the night again - she wins - I bet my parents are re-thinking this decision.
Saturday late night - Hudson throws up 3 more times and now my Dad is throwing up!
Sunday morning - Mom drops off the kids back at home.
Sunday afternoon - I bring the kids back to Mom & Dad L's house.
Sunday evening - I pick them up back up, play and cuddle with them for an hour then put them to bed.

Do you see what I mean???? Typically I do spend the weekends with my children, but I was so freaking out about Scott getting this bug that I really wanted them away from him while he at least healed a little bit. Getting the stomach flu just days after having your gallbladder removed cannot be fun.

In conclusion, I'm so beyond grateful for our parents. They make this parenting thing SO much more manageable! I cannot wait for the day when I get to take care of all my grandbabies!!! :)