I always wanted tohave a big family! It was always a dream of mine! We just happened to have ours VERY close in age! I can’t tell you how many times in my mom life that I’ve been asked, “Did you mean to have your kids that close in age?” I mean, I get the question. We had 4 boys all within 3 years and 10 months. When the boys were all babies, we looked like a circus act walking out and about! But it’s worked for us – it’s worked beautifully – 7 Reasons To Have Kids Close in Age.

And I will say this… William, Alex and Ben were planned to a T! William and Alex are 12 months apart. Alex and Ben are 18 months apart. And the Ben and Henry are 13 1/2 months apart. I will say, Henry was a beautiful surprise for us! When I found out I was pregnant with Henry, that was the only time I went, “Holy moly! 4 babies!” But… as every mom will say, Henry was the greatest blessing of all! He came exactly at the perfect time for us. And during that time in our life we had 4 cribs, 4 highchairs, 2 double strollers and more diapers than you can imagine!

It was chaotic, yes.

But it was my chaos and I didn’t know any different, so I rolled with it as best as I could.

For those first 3-4 years it was non-stop. I don’t think I slept a full night’s sleep until Henry was probably 3 or 4 years old! I joke that those first years were a blur because it was just trying to survive the day and start all over the next day! Not to mention – I was starting my business back then, so I was trying my best to work “full time” and take care of 4 babies!

Here’s the ting though, you just do it. You don’t think about it. You truly just roll with your day and keep on moving! I’m not kidding when I say that ignorance is bliss, I didn’t know any other way, so for me – this was just my normal. I loved it because I cherished the fact that I had these 4 healthy little baby boys… and I was doing the best I could to keep everyone happy. I think back now and smile because I remember time always moving so fast. It went from morning to night in a flash because I was just constantly moving, constantly doing something.

We managed and we loved it. My house was never neat. My house was never organized. My house was always full of random toys and books. The beds were never made. The counters were always covered with “things!” And I just didn’t have the time to really worry or care about it… which was kinda wonderful!

Let me fast forward to present day.

The best decision we ever made was having 4 babies back to back to back to back. People ALWAYS called us crazy. People ALWAYS had an opinion, even though it was our life and they weren’t taking care of the babies! LOL! People just love to toss in their advice and views. I’ll never forget having one reader tell me I was contributing to overpopulation. That really got me… simply because I wanted a big family. I did the best I could to tune everyone out because this is what I chose for my life and this was my perfect version, as busy as it was and still is.

This weekend as I was watching my teen sons dye Easter eggs with their little sister and each other, I looked at my husband and said, “we’re blessed.” All those years when they were babies of hoping we were doing OK and hoping we could get through… we did. And now here they are, older and friends. Sure they fight as brothers, but they love each other. I know people thought we were crazy all those years ago, but now I’m on the other end and I’m seeing the blessings that having siblings so close in age brings. It’s beautiful.

1. They defend each other.
2. They play with each other.
3. They rely on each other.
4. They need each other.
5. They get each other.
6. They are there for each other.
7. They watch out for each other.

These gifts are priceless.

Don’t let anyone tell you what you should do or how you should do things when it comes to your family and having babies. It’s your life. It’s your legacy. Go with your gut and your heart. Go with what God gives you. Go with what you desire. Babies are a blessing, regardless of how you become a mother or a father… a baby is the greatest gift and the greatest blessing.

And now I’m off to try and clean the bathrooms before these 4 “little” boys get home from school!