by Autumn Penz
Describe your current family situation.
My husband, Todd, and I have been married for 16 years and have lived in Rochester our whole married life. We have five children: Brecken (13), Sienna (11), Willow (8), Sawyer (3) and Haven (7 months). I currently am a stay home mom and Todd is a business owner. I enjoy organizing, decorating, collecting plants, handlettering and crafting, but usually my hobby these days is folding laundry and dishes.
How do you take care of yourself physically, spiritually, and emotionally so you can tend to your family “garden?”
For my physical (and emotional) wellbeing, I hit up workout classes three times a week at Burn Boot Camp. The built-in childcare and getting a workout alongside a good friend, boosts my strength and mood. In January, I started eating better and giving my body what it needs to get back to a healthier weight after babies. I feel lighter, have more confidence and energy to tackle the days. That said, I’m still a night owl, soaking up the quiet after everyone’s asleep, though I know I’d benefit from more rest. It’s a balancing act I’m working on.
For my Spiritual health, I attend a Bible study here (parenting and James). I am part of a mentoring group once a month that challenges me in the Christian books we read and discuss. Currently, I am reading through the whole Bible with The Bible Recap; I have learned so much with this book/podcast and it makes even Leviticus interesting.
How do you feel you have bloomed as a mom of 5 young children?
I feel a way that I have been “blooming” as a mom of five is embracing the season I am currently in. This is not something that always comes naturally. I know I’ll miss these days of them being young, so I’m making a conscious effort to cherish them.
I say no more often than I have in the past. I’m naturally a “yes” person who tends to take on too much; Saying no and quitting things goes against my people-pleasing nature. But saying yes to something else might be putting unneeded pressure on me or the household. I know that one day I will say yes to more: more serving, ministries, and field trips, but for now, I’m prioritizing differently.
Asking for help doesn’t come naturally to me— But I’ve been learning to delegate and accept help. I hire a babysitter way more now than I ever did when I had a couple kids. It is nice to be able to show up undistracted for some of the older kid’s events. My three older kids can also be very helpful – babysitting, tidying up, or playing with the littles. I’ve also gotten better at asking my husband for support instead of hoping he’ll guess what I need. It’s humbling to admit I can’t do it all, but leaning on others keeps our home from spiraling into chaos.
What are you enjoying about this season of life?
While it can be a double-edge sword of both challenging and fun, I love the wide range of ages my kids are. I love that I can both get baby cuddles and have a deep conversation with my teenager. I enjoy hanging out with my older three – shopping, chatting or cheering them on at their sports. I love seeing my preschooler learn new things and read him books at naptime. I can’t get enough baby cuddles and giggles.
What are the challenges?
Age gaps and a busy schedule pose challenges. Daily, I’m juggling contrasting tasks: braces appointments while potty training and naptime schedules with afternoon school plays. We are sometimes pulled in multiple directions with two kids in hockey, competitive gymnastics, Awanas, youth group, and school events, often with a baby in tow. Despite the coordination effort, I love seeing my kids thrive in their passions.
How is God growing you through this season of life?
Besides embracing my current season by saying no and seeking help, I’m learning to hold my plans loosely in my hands—something I’ve worked on since becoming a mom, especially now with five kids.
Haven’s birth was a perfect lesson of this. Because I had a planned c-section, I thought I could plan out the day, visitation schedules and how my hospital stay would go. Of course I didn’t think my baby would be in the NICU for two days because of low blood sugars (common with Type 1 Diabetic moms like me.) It was a strange hospital stay–her in the NICU hooked up to wires and me down the hall. She came home with me, but breastfeeding struggles followed for two months, unlike my other four, who wouldn’t even take bottles. With help from a lactation consultant, numerous weight checks, pumping, and formula, she eventually figured it out, though she now hates bottles. It’s reinforced that my plans can unravel, and God’s plans are often there to stretch and grow me.