Thankful for my multiples

Last night I watched a Dateline special about the McCaughey septuplets. I have always been intrigued by this family since the beginning of their story 10 years ago. I watched with the rest of the world in awe as this amazing woman carried and then gave birth to 7 babies. Little did I know then that 2 years later I too would be carrying multiple babies. In some small way I can understand a little of what this family went through. I remember those early days of feeding and changing and rocking and cuddling and feeding and changing and more feeding and more changing. I remember at times wondering how I was going to make it through one more day. I remember times putting all of them in bed crying and finding a place in the corner of my closet where I could cry too. I remember feeling totally overwhelmed and wondering what God was thinking by sending me twins. Surely he must have gotten me confused with someone else who would be better at it. I also remember the absolute joy I felt as I looked into the eyes of my precious babies. I remember the overwhelming love that I felt for those tiny, fragile and perfect little babies. It was those moments that made everything else bearable.

(I have some adorable pictures of them when they were toddlers. Someday when I have a scanner I can share them too. In the mean time, here are some of my favorites that I do have on the computer.)

Looking back on my own experience of raising multiples I am glad that I only had two. As hard as some days were at our house, I can't imagine doing it with 7. In comparison to the McCaughey's, my experience has been a breeze. As I sat in front of the TV last night and watched as they showed the many struggles and challenges that this family has endured over the last 10 years I cried. I cried tears of understanding. I also cried tears of joy. Each of these 7 children is so special and obviously very loved by their family, including an older sister who has fared remarkably well considering. They have all grown up so beautifully and their parents are obviously amazing people. I feel certain that God looks down on this family and smiles. I also feel certain that He has cried right along with them as they have dealt with the struggles of day to day life as well as the more extraordinary struggles they have faced.

I am so grateful for that love that I have felt in my own life. I know that God has blessed us in our struggles, not just as parents of multiples but as parents. Each family, no matter how big or how small, has it's own set of unique challenges. Through it all we are not a lone! We have a loving Heavenly Father to watch over us and carry us through when we think we can't take another step. I am so grateful for that!