Today I’m sharing a very special post from my daughter Libby, Mother of quads (now 5) plus one (now 7)! You can follow her blog at A Part of the Party!
I have too much to do today. I got the kids to school as early as is allowed so I could rush home and get to my long to-do list before we leave town tomorrow. But, I can’t help but stop to ponder and cry. A friend of my sister’s had quads last night at 26 weeks. They are doing okay- not great. Seeing the pictures takes me back to 5 and a half years ago. And, today I pack for our first family ski trip with the kids. God, You have been so faithful. So many times my heart and my mind bounce back and forth from the present and the miracle that is our day to day and how far we have come….just to then go back in my mind to those early days of survival for all seven of us.
These precious quads just born yesterday – and still so fragile, fighting to survive. This jolts me from my busyness and my lists and makes me look straight into the face of God and His reflection in my children. To go from those early days of streaming prayers for their breathing and eating to intermittent prayers now of thanks and seemingly less important supplications. When did I stop being so aware of this personal miracle I have received? Two years ago I wrote my last blog entry–has it been two whole years since truly stopping to sit and reflect?
Like most moms, I so desire to live in each day, in each moment… being truly present as my babies become little people and the noises of my house change from crawling knees and hungry cries to make-believe animals and soldiers; little mommies taking care of their own babies. But, still, so many nights, when I pray over their sleeping beings, I wish I hadn’t rushed the day. It sounds so trite, wanting to be present and enjoying the moments, but it must not be, because it’s what we all long for.
The pictures of these new quads, their bodies as big as the doctor’s hands…it takes my breath away and it all floods over me again. Holding all four little bodies at one time and the frightening privilege of accepting God’s gift to us. There is nothing I can write to truly describe this new life we received with Grey, Mimi, Mac, Yates and Fitz. New life also in the transcendence of our marriage-as we became the only two in our world who could understand the way things were- a beautiful loneliness.
Thank you, Lord, for placing me back at the beginning. This has seemed to be a year of “arriving”…of feeling like we have arrived to a new and better season with the kids. All five in school and sports and the terrible years of intense discipline starting to show a little bit of pay-off. This ski trip that begins tomorrow is truly a significant marker in my mind of how far we have come. But, the gratitude for the present is only completely understood in looking at the beginning and the journey of these past 6 years. Lord, it is your grace, your faithfulness and your love that truly takes me breathe away and I know these gifts from you are the over and under, the beginning and the end of this journey.
Cheryl Andrews says
Thank you for sharing this blog and reminder of the incredible provision of God in the lives of this precious family. Taking time today to thank God for and reflect on his blessings to me too in the past 5 years of transitions, and the way he uses our tough times to enable us to bless others. Thanks Susan for the privilege of praying for your family.
Angela Dusenbury says
I remember praying for them and those four little ones when they were still on their way. What a miracle they are, and God certainly knew what He was doing by entrusting them to Libby and McLean. Blessings on their vacation time together and their continued journey through life.
Angela
Susan Yates says
Thanks Angela for your prayers over so many years!!!
Love, Susan