More lessons from Leo.

I guess I have to preface this post with a quick bit of background. Well, a couple months ago, I discovered that I was pregnant. Yes PREGNANT. Yes for the fourth time. And YES I am making Jake get the operation. Yes it IS another BOY. Your math is correct this is boy number four for the high school sweethearts who are coming up on their 12th wedding anniversary. In light of all these facts, I still must insist that everyone call this baby the surprise instead of the whoops or the accident. A surprise is something that you weren't planning on getting but you are very happy about it. An accident is when you get lipstick on your sisters white shirt you were just trying on to see how it would look and she will be home in 5 minutes (sorry Ang).

My dad is an emperor has no clothes kind of guy. He says things exactly how he sees them and it is a trait I have come to deeply admire about him.

My dad waited for us to be alone before quietly telling me congratulations. To which I laughed harder and longer than I have in a long time. You always worry about what your dad thinks of you and to have him show support when I felt like I had majorly screwed up took about 10 tons of pressure off my back and all I could do was laugh.

After a few minutes he smiles and says, "You will never be rich but you will have a lifetime of happiness." I stopped and felt startled. He had 4 girls and should know more than anyone else the struggles a large family could bring. He just let me in on the secret that we were more important than money and we brought him "a lifetime of happiness". My next thought was that though my kids would have to make do with Huggos instead of Huggies, Slide and Pounce instead of Tide and Bounce, Smeerios instead of Cheerios and we would have to all sacrifice some things. But, we would have each other and our lives will be full of ups and downs and most importantly, we could all look forward to "a lifetime of happiness". Is there anything more that anyone wants in this whole world?

So today, 5+ months pregnant with my FOURTH child, I am content. I can do this. My dad is proud of me and I can look forward to "a lifetime of happiness."

I hope when my kids come across their own challenges I can ease their burdens like my dad did for me that day.