Tribe

You read that right. I brought five kids ages 9, 6, 4, 2 and 9 months to the sacred Grand Ole Opry. Am I an insane person? Maybe a little… But here are my reason why and my tricks on how.

Reasons… Their daddy got to debut his new trio at one of the most remarkable venues in the United States. This was not Craig’s first time playing there he has been blessed enough to sing in the circle at least 7-8 times. We have pictures of Jax meeting Randy Travis, Dakota being doted on by Mickey Guyton and Jeannie Seely and Gray was in the womb when daddy and I sang “Somewhere in There” together. It wasn’t the first and I definitely don’t think it will be the last. This was too special for any of them to miss. What Texas Hill did that night from the first note to the standing ovation is something my littles will never forget. After two years of not getting to see their dad be remarkable on stage, this was a night I wanted marked in their memories. Would I have enjoyed it more had I planned a triple date night with the wives Kelli and Jenny…? Maybe. But there is nothing like three cowboy hats bobbing their heads, Dakota dancing in the aisle and Blakely shimmying on my lap. It wasn’t easy but thank goodness for moms/ mother in laws and patient fans.

How did I do it you ask…? Moms/Mother in Law and patient fans 🙂 Snacks are a must, a beer to relieve the anxiety was a plus, and timing dinner, naps and playing hard to make sure everyone wasn’t too wound up was helpful too. I woke up that day and we put outfits together so I could dress and go. I started my makeup (which takes all of 10 minutes with peace) about two hours before show time while the kiddos were watching a movie with Mimi. Taco Bell came in clutch for dinner during that 40 minute drive to the event. The ritual of pre-outing pep talk always happens and goes a little something like this… “Make sure you are always holding a hand, say your thank you’s, yes ma’ams and sir’s and boys, hold the doors when you can.”

It was a lot don’t get me wrong. It always is. But we now have the below pictures to show them when they can truly understand the magnitude of what happened for their daddy and our family that night. We DEBUTED AT THE OPRY. Texas Hill was a dream we never knew we had or needed. This night was magic, they are magic, and our kiddos got to see the magic. The best part of the night aside from crying tears of pride were the compliments I got from everyone who watched the kids expecting the worst. The people in front, behind and next to use were buckling down for mayhem as the lights dimmed and curtains opened. Instead they witnessed the sparkle in five blues eyes when they watched their dad and his brothers do what they do best. I will never get a better compliment and I will never be more impressed by five little humans than I am my own. My entire life I thought I had to make myself proud and happy and I know I do at times, but this pride… this happy… this life is something I couldn’t have even dreamt. I love all six of my tribe with every inch of my being. Thank you all for your continued support and for those who were there that night… Thank you for making it magic.

Lesson learned: DO NOT have children wear cowboy hats at an indoor venue unless you plan on carrying them later in the night.

Getting in and out of a car will take at least 30 minutes and you will always forget something… always.
If you can, space them out age wise accordingly, do so. Having a little Boss that can’t talk yet and tell me how he is feeling about a new baby Blakely is tricky. He is getting there now it just takes a whole lot of one on one and cuddling.
Diapers. So many diapers. I take down at least 6 diapers after one nights sleep.
Date nights will be non existent for a bit and thats ok. Just appreciate the time alone you do have together and remind yourself that one day you will have built in babysitters.
Consignment stores are everything especially when you are trying to match 7 people all the time.
Costco is your best friend.
Set a reminder on your Alexa to clip the 100 toenails and fingernails once a week.
Moms have a gift of prioritizing every second of every day so while running up stairs to wipe someones bum grab a few things to take up with you so you don’t have to go up and down an extra five times out of the six hundred you will.
Kids are helpful. They want to help if you explain that you need it and why. At five I have Dakota helping with dishes, Jax is taking care of trash and the three oldest are cleaning up toys when I ask. Don’t be scared to ask them to use those cute little hands.
You will always have throw up or poop in, on and around you. Get used to it and have perfume in every diaper bag.
Being in public will feel overwhelming but on lookers will either laugh or offer help. Take the help. Let the guy behind you in line at Target pick up the shoe that your kid kicked off.
Don’t ever order your own meal at a restaurant because you will have six to-go boxes if you do. They never finish their food. Order the margarita instead of the meal.
Sleep isn’t a thing right now so don’t expect it just have really great coffee on deck.
Surround yourself with friends that encourage the chaos and enjoy your time together. Someone is bound to pull down their pants and pee in the front yard, spill a drink, get crumbs in a couch etc. True friends who invite you over with that many humans know the drill.
Train the olders well and the littles will follow.
Laundry is life. Have a glass of wine while you do it. Make it fun!
You will be exhausted and you will blame your spouse for said exhaustion. The only way to fix this is by making that time for the “special special” but don’t have too much “special special” because then you may get another surprise bundle of joy.
They will all look exactly like your husband. Don’t take offense you are in their personality somewhere.
Time to yourself will seem non existent because it is but if you can take the bath or shower alone, if you can play a game of Candy Krush on the potty, if you can tan for two minutes without another being on top of you, remember to appreciate those moments.
LOVE HARD ON THEM NOW. This is a season and it is flying by so through the tears, the lack of sleep, the fight over green beans, the gallon of Gatorade spilt on the floor by your eager toddler… love it all. Write it all down. Don’t ever forget that you dreamt of these moments all your life. The good, the bad and the goofy.