single parenthood

I have always thought how hard it would be to be a single parent.  I feel blessed that I have such a wonderful husband who is also the best dad one could ask for.  I have gotten a taste of single parenthood this week while John and a couple buddies went up to the Black Hills on a motorcycle trip.  Yes its busy being home with a 4, 2 and 3 month old, but it honestly has been better than I thought it would be.  In the sense that I would fall apart with the stress of three little ones at home all day long by myself. 

My three boys!

The boys have been GREAT!!  Andrew is a HUGE help to me.  He has really stepped up as "man of the house" this week.  Helping me with his brothers or with other little chores I need him to do.  Jacob has also been very cooperative this week, which blows my mind.  He is usually quite the stinker, but this week he has been a model two year old (enter Twilight zone music here).  And Lucas, well he is pretty much the BEST baby in the world.  He sleeps AWESOME (hopefully not jinxing myself), eats well, plays, smiles, repeat.  God has truly blessed our family with a great last baby.  To prepare myself for being along for nearly 6 days I have kept a pretty jammed packed schedule. 

Lots of playdates and company has been wonderful for us.  The Schwendinger's came down from MN on Thursday and spent the night and then played most of the day on Friday.  Along with our friends the Hall's who came over Thursday for a BBQ and play time.  The weather has also cooperated so we have been able to get outside and wear my boys out!

the four big kids: Theo, Andrew, Jacob, and Ayla

 And I am not going to lie, TV has also been a good distraction.  I am not too proud to say that my kids watch TV and its a way to distract them and pass the time (and a bribe tool!).  Today (Saturday) my friend Amy and her two boys (her hubby John went with my John on the Harley trip) are coming over to play and have a sleep-over.  Should be a fun afternoon and evening!  Sunday we are heading up to Boone to see John's grandpa Bud, sister Becky and her family, possibly John's sister Sarah and brother Paul.  John should be home sometime around noon on Monday.  We are having a pretty good time just the four of us, but we do miss John a lot and really look forward to him coming home on Monday.  I commend all the men and women who are single parents and feel blessed that I have someone to take this crazy ride with me known as parenthood.  Love you babe and we hope you had a wonderful time in South Dakota!!

John and John ready for their ride to the Black Hills