Excellent insights. Thanks for the encouragement!

Babies and toddlers are HARD. I think that’s the hardest stage. (Others will tell you that the teenage years are harder. Not in my book.) However, babies and toddlers grow. Your oldest is now big enough that she can play with the toddler long enough for you to go to the bathroom — sometimes. She’s getting to the point (and so is #2) where she can keep him occupied long enough for you to peel enough potatoes for dinner. It just gets easier from here, though there are still bumps in the road. Imagine an older child who can babysit while you go out on a date with your beloved wife!

Eventually, they will even grow up and leave. I know, I know, it seems like that will never happen, but it does! You may have boomerang children, but they’ll still be old enough that you can leave them home by themselves, have them make dinner once a week, do their own laundry, even run errands for you. Heck, even teenagers can do that, so there are compensations if those are tough years for you.

Keep your eyes on the prize. You’re devoted to each other. Don’t let that stop. Don’t let the kids eclipse your marriage. That can happen, but you can balance it all. It’s tough, but it really does build your character — if you let it. God bless you!