This Is Us

Hey y’all! I’m writing this with a cup of reheated coffee in one hand and a toddler clinging to my leg—so, you know, just your average Tuesday morning around here.

I’m a stay-at-home mom to six beautiful, wild, hilarious kids ranging from 12 years old all the way down to our little caboose who just turned 1. We live in a small town in Arkansas where life moves a little slower (unless you’re chasing after a crawling baby who somehow found the dog food bowl again). My fiancé owns a local auto repair shop, so he’s always elbow-deep in engines while I’m elbow-deep in laundry, dishes, and diapers. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s ours—and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Mornings Start with Chaos (and a Lot of Toast)

Our mornings start early. The older kids have to be up and ready for school while the littles are usually already bouncing around the house. It’s a full-on dance of brushing hair, finding socks (seriously, where do they all go?), packing lunches, and reminding everyone again that cereal does not belong on the floor.

By the time the school bus rolls off with my big kids, I get about 3.5 seconds of quiet before the babies realize they’re hungry too. I make another round of breakfast—usually toast or eggs, if I’m feeling fancy—and then the day really begins.

Life with My Mechanic Man

My fiancé works long hours at the shop, and I’m so proud of him. He’s the kind of man who can fix anything—from a busted transmission to a broken kid toy with one missing screw. He comes home greasy, tired, and hungry, but always manages to scoop up the kids and ask about their day.

We don’t get a lot of date nights, but we do get quiet moments on the porch after bedtime when the crickets are singing and the world finally slows down. That’s when we catch up, dream a little, and just breathe.

Why I Wouldn’t Trade It

People ask me all the time, “How do you do it with six kids?” The answer is: I just do. Some days are messy and loud and full of tantrums (and not just from the kids), but they’re also full of love, giggles, and sticky kisses. I’ve learned to embrace the chaos, laugh at the little things, and give myself grace on the hard days.

This season of life is exhausting, but it’s also beautiful. One day, the toys will be gone, the house will be quiet, and I’ll probably miss the sound of little feet running down the hallway.

Until then, I’ll keep showing up, coffee in hand, messy bun and all—loving this perfectly imperfect life we’ve built here in our little corner of Arkansas.

Thanks for stopping by. If you’re in the trenches too, just know—you’re not alone, Mama. We’ve got this. 💪

With love (and a bit of baby spit-up), A Real Tired, Real Grateful Mama