Our Party Of Five: Late night rambles

I just cleared out the memory card for the camera. Over 1000 pictures, just since Christmas. Since I don't print the kid's pictures off right away, I keep them all in folders on my computer. 1 folder for each kid, with other folders within the first initial folder. Its pretty organized, but could be better. In Mason's first year album, he has over 2600 pictures. That doesn't include pictures I didn't keep, for whatever reason (he blinked, blurry, etc). 2600 pictures in less than 9 months. Poor kid. The girls are equally famous, although Madison has a bit more than Trinity, since Trinity is in school full time. I try really hard to keep it even though. I don't want any of the kids to feel left out.

I remember when I was pregnant with Madison. I was on the hunt for a great baby book. Everyone told me not to waste my time, since I wouldn't be able to keep up with 2 baby books (Trinity was only 2 at the time). I'm so glad I didn't listen. While it can be difficult to remember dates, I still manage to keep them up to date. Trinity's baby book is basically done, I think it ends at 6 years. I have some pictures I need to print to put in it, but no more filling things out. However, now I have a school book to fill out. Either way, I'm glad they'll have all of this to look back on.

Some days are just insane around here. I want to pull my hair out. Between the house work, school work, and the kids, I often feel like I'm drowning in a never ending mess. I hate clutter, yet I'm a bit of a hoarder. I have to force myself to throw things away. I have a habit of saying "well what if we need it one day?". Scott hates that. I have all of the girl's baby clothes, and now have all of Mason's. I'm not even for sure if we're having any more kids, but until I'm certain, I don't see the point in throwing things out. Fortunately, I'm a master organizer. I blame my partial OCD for that.

As I was sorting pictures into their folders, I began to think about today's events. The girls were butts. There is really no nice way to put it. They found every frayed nerve I had, and they smashed them to pieces. Everything they know they aren't supposed to do, they did. I know its probably from being cooped up in the house (our never ending winter is still here, full force), but it still bugged me. I sent them to take a nap, even though neither one ever takes naps. I had to have a break. Mason was whiny and clingy today- I believe its because he has 3 teeth coming through at once. Either way, today was a day that I'd love to forget. Yet as I'm sorting through these pictures, I find myself wanting to re-live the days events. Yes, they sucked, but it was still a day in my children's life- a day in my life with my children. Sorting through my pictures was a painful reminder that they're only so little for so long. I'm going into my last year with Madison home full time- in August 2012 she'll be starting Kindergarten. Trinity will be in 2nd grade by then, and Mason will have just turned 2. Its so crazy how quick they grow, even though some days drag on.

I need to remind myself to cherish each day. Who cares if the house gets a little messy, or things don't get put up just so? They're only so little for such a small amount of time. I have plenty of years ahead of me to organize closets, or mop floors. I only have a very short time with my kids being little.

They've grown far too fast.