Sometimes, when eleven days after just having a baby, the thought of company at your house (especially for a few days) is enough to fill anyone with anxiety, stress and pre-exhaustion.  But never the less, when my sister-in-law texted me last Tuesday and asked if they could take a trip from New Hampshire to see us that coming up weekend, we said of course!  Even though we were burned out.  Even though the house was less than perfect.  And even though we felt like we were barely treading above water.  And someones, when the people that come to see you are loving, Godly people, the company actually makes things a whole lot better.  And that’s just how it was.  Instead of us having to worry about trying the boys occupied and make sure they didn’t feel neglected, they had their older cousins to play with them.  And because their older cousins (who are 10 and 12) are the most amazing, well behaved children I have ever seen, they didn’t get annoyed with our kids because they were little, or because they bugged them–they were patient, and loving and mostly just said, okay!, when one of my kids asked them to play.  And instead of us having to stress about food, we ate simply.  And my sister-in-law helped with the meals.  When you have people around who love you, you don’t have to worry about feeling silly when you go to bed at 9:30, or fall asleep on the couch holding your new baby, or going on an outing but only being able to go immediately right after you nurse your baby because time is so critical.  You don’t have to worry about feeling self-conscious about your body when you, not even two weeks before, gave birth to a giant baby.

And so, we are so glad they came to see us.  Because we love them.  And because they were totally cool with being laid back about the whole thing.