How Do They Do It?

I've been watching "18 Kids and Counting" and "19 Kids and Counting" a lot recently. In the middle of the night when I have been up feeding Autumn, it had been an absolute God-send. However, one thing that really puzzles me, is - How do they do it???

Since Autumn's arrival, the house has become more and more disastrous. I am constantly shattered and just about managing to get the kids to and from school, clean the kitchen, tidy the living room and cook the dinner each day. So I honestly have no idea how Michelle Duggar manages to run a home while raising and homeschooling 19 kids!

As I type this, Autumn who is a month today and now weighing in at 5lbs 3oz, is wriggling on my chest and having a bit of a grump! She is having a growth spurt and feeding A LOT! Exhausting, but a huge success for such a small baby who shouldn't even be here yet!!!

Somehow, during this time, I have managed to do the living room and feed warren and the kids (five today as it's our boys weekend). Honestly, I have no idea how I have managed to do that much!! My dinner is sitting cold on the table as I can't eat it and type and hold the baby and I really don't feel that great, following my flu jab yesterday. Thankfully, a lovely friend from Church dropped over a lasagne and a baked apple pudding, so preparing dinner was considerably easier today.

While the kids are at school, my day consists of feeding, changing, winding and cuddling Autumn - She needs lots and lots of cuddles. :) I also use that time to do the kitchen, bathroom and living room and have a nap.

When I look at the Duggar family, I feel quite inadequate in my parenting/housekeeping skills, but also quite inspired. Not only are Jim Bob and Michelle raising 19 kids, they are raising them in a strong Christian family, with Christian values. That is something we should all aspire to do. I am very excited about having just downloaded The Duggars: 20 and Counting. I can't wait to see what I can learn from the Duggar family and what tips I can bring into my own home through their experiences.

I will be sure to keep you all updated on my progress, but in the meanime, download their book if you need inspiration and motivation in your family life too.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Duggars-Counting-Raising-Americas-Families--How-ebook/dp/B00BOS3QG2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412365933&sr=8-1&keywords=michelle+duggar

Have a fantastic weekend.
Every blessing,

The Road So Far...

This is me...

This is Warren...

This is me and Warren...

These are my babies...

These are Warren's babies...

And this is mine and Warren's baby...

Warren and I met in Church on Maundy Thursday 2012. We had a bit of a bumpy start, but we finally got together on January 13th 2013. A year later, we fell pregnant with our beautiful baby girl, Autumn Willow Woods. She arrived seven weeks early on September 3rd 2014 at 1:10am by emergency c-section.

Prior to Warren and I meeting, I had already been blessed with three beautful daughters - Rebecca-Rose (11), Daisy Grace (7) and Ella Jasmine Lee (5).

Warren also had two boys prior to us getting together - Ethan (8) and Ashley (7).

As you can imagine things here are pretty crazy at times. Having five kids to get to three schools on a Monday morning is rather interesting. Trying to find the energy to pour the kids their cereal after a night of no sleep is a challenge. And getting to sleep in my own bed with Warren at night, just doesn't happen! I honestly don't remember the last time I had a decent night's sleep!

Yet through all the chaos and the madness and the lack of snuggling into Warren at night, I have honestly never been happier. 

I look at Autumn who is four weeks old today and I fall in love all over again. It makes me sad to see how grown up my first three beautiful girls look now (especially with Rebecca in seniors), but I am so proud of them and so in love with them, and if anything having Autumn has made the bond I have with Rebecca, Daisy and Ella even stronger.

I never want to forget a single day with my precious family, and that's why I have started this blog!

Every blessing,