Thank you for your comment!
Sarah,
Have the fourth. It is a blessing and even if it's a boy! They will pair off and no one is left out!! Love the Q and A sessions!
Great job, Sarah! I love reading what you write 
. Going from 2 to 3 children was much harder than going from 3 to 4 for me (maybe it was just the change going from boys to a girl and the fact that J had really just started walking when his sister came along. Number 4 was easier, but now that he is 2 (personally I think the age from 1 1/2-2 1/2 is the hardest), it is tough!! He was a great, easygoing baby (much like his brothers). He still is good, but now that he is so mobile & busy, whew! It is tough, yet still rewarding . Did that even make sense?!
It's worth going out to dinner one less time a month or giving up some other small thing to add up to a baby sitter at regular intervals. I'm so with you on that one!
Lovely, thoughtful answers. How glad I am to have made this connection with you, Sarah. Blessings.
Thanks for your comment and don't worry about goodreads for now--I think you've got PLENTY on your plate!!!
I LOVE making goals for your children. Sarah! What a great idea! I am taking that one and running with it. The sally clarkson book has been on my to-read list (amazon wishlist ) for a while...now I definitely need to read it.
Your advice to Kiersten was spot on, by the way. Excellent.
I have a 7y/o, 5 y/o and a 2y/o. And it is TOUGH! It has gotten better over the last 6mo or so as the youngest has gotten more independent. But for me and what I can handle emotionally and physically, 3 maxed me out even though they were spaced out more than yours.
Keep that sitter going! Don't forget to hire her for date nights and girls night out.
I love the idea that you sit down yearly and write out goals for your children. I think that's another great idea of yours I'll borrow
And I'm with Boomama- you totally have a book in your future!
I will never regret having numbers four and five, esp. as my first three were boys, and I was desperate to have a daughter. But it's stinkin' hard!!! There are times I struggle with how ordinary and monotonous my life is, but when I step back and read things like your answers here, I realize what a hugely important job we're all doing. And I sure don't want to mess it up. Once Baby is sleeping better, I might get up early, and go to bed late, but I like my bed in the morning. I'm sure it's been difficult while you've been sick. Ha! That was a pretty random comment.
Well, this is so fun reading your answers!!! You are so wise girl. Next time I am home (in the metroplex) please meet me at Chili's - it's my favorite place!!!
You know what's really fun about typing in "Aunt Barb" when I leave you a comment? I forget I did that and then when I leave anyone else with Haloscan comments a comment, it's from their long lost, almost completely forgotten "Aunt Barb." I've lost count of how many times I've embarrassed myself. LOL
But anyway.
I love it that you admitted that being the mother of a newborn is rewarding but lonely because that is soooo true, especially if you had an active social life before the baby was born. Of course it's the most rewarding thing in the world, but it really is lonely.
Ditto what your mom said. It's so interesting to read your answers, and hers, because I'm finding out things I never knew about my own sister and niece. You're doing a great job with your answers. xoxoxo
I'm gonna go ahead and make this prediction: you are SO going to write a parenting book one day. MARK MY WORDS, sister. Not a doubt in my mind.
Hi Sarah,
I normally don't comment - but I faithfully read. If it isn't too late I'd like to know who your favorite writer is and the Christian woman you admire most.
Thanks!!
Loving the Q/A theme going on here; I get to be nosy without asking all the questions of someone I've never even met. You're also making me glad that my boys were 7 and almost 10 before I had my daughter, Sarah. It was soooo much easier than when I just had the two and they were both so young.
Crista
I thought your advice for Kierstin was wonderful. I'm enjoying this, Sarah. I also think you would be great with a 4th. My daughter didn't get a sister with our 4th child and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to bargain on getting a sister for her by having a 5th. :D
I am due to have my third child in about 2 months, and we decided many months ago to name her Addison. Unlike your Addison, mine will not be named after anyone in particular, we just love the name. But we've decided, and you are the very first to know, that her middle name will be Elizabeth. I feel funny naming my child after me, even if it is her middle name, but the names sound so beautiful together. I'm glad to know someone else thought so, too!
Also, thank you for the encouragement as far as what life can be like with three. My older two children are 9 and 5, so I will only have one in a crib and one in diapers, but I am already overwhelmed by the thought of what it will be like to have three children to care for day in and day out. I'm not certain how much help is appropriate to expect from my older kids. It's a daunting task, but one I'm looking forward to.
Thanks so much for answering my question. I probably shouldn't mention that I'll be having my third in 3 years and 3 months. That might make your answer even more frightening. Truly, thanks for the honesty. I'm realizing that despite my desire to have a perfectly organized house, etc. it's not going to happen at least for several years. Instead, I'm going to be grateful that God is blessing me to make me aware of what is truly important.
And, thanks for the reminder to look at the big picture and goals for the children. It is easy to get so caught up in keeping clothes clean and diapers changed so that we forget the big picture.
Finally, sorry for the super long comment.
Thank you Sarah ~ for your encouragement and advice. I really like your idea about creating goals for each child. Also - thank you for the reminder about God's truth and His grace for me at this time in my life. I needed to hear that!! : )
I'm loving this question and answer thing. Thanks for being so honest. Oh, and I don't think I ever officially thanked you for the travel suggestions! Your mom asked you for me. I LOVED the Ft. Worth Stock Exchange and we didn't even have the kids with us! Thanks again!
Thanks for taking the time to do this, Sarah!
Appreciate your wisdom. You're right about spacing the children out, I think it can make things easier, but the kids born closer together will someday appreciate having shared it all together. You would be great with a fourth.
Still like the Chili's idea.
I am loving reading answers to questions presented to people I know so well, and learning new stuff all the same. When you three were younger, I paid to go to art classes once a week, and the money spent was worth it because Dad was thankful to have a sane wife. Noone can prepare you for how hard it is to be a mother - if you knew it all ahead and thought about it too long, most would likely avoid it, so sometimes ignorance is bliss! Jump in with both feet, do your best, and pray like crazy! xoxo
Sarah, I can relate to so much of what you said in this post, and what a comfort it has been to read. (I have four children, 6 1/2 yo DS, 4 1/2 yo DD, 2 1/2yo DS, and-my sweet surprise- 8 mo DS.) Your list of responsibilities related to children nailed the thoughts that regularly swirl around in my head. Oh, and BTW, I also thought life became much more difficult when #3 became mobile. Thanks for writing.
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