37 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Vriens, a self-proclaimed Type A organizer, keeps things tidy with a daily reset. “We clean in the morning, do a quick pick-up midday and tidy again after bedtime. It’s not magazine-ready, but it works for us,” she said. ONE-ON-ONE IN A FULL HOUSE With so many kids, carving out time for each child requires intentionality. Vriens finds those sweet moments at bedtime. “It’s when we slow down and really connect. We also try to give each older child some one-on-one time every month, even just a trip to Target or a date night with one of us.” Walters focuses on presence over perfection. “We try to catch those little moments — coffee before school, a walk, a quick game of basketball. You’d be surprised how far a few intentional minutes can go.” Ethridge emphasized love languages. “Some kids need quality time; others love physical touch. But they all love traditions — those shared moments that make them feel part of something special.” One tradition that snuck up on her? “Every Valentine’s Day, I wake up early and fix heart-shaped pancakes with chocolate chips and whipped cream,” she said. “One year I didn’t plan to do it, and the kids asked about it. It made me realize how much those little things matter. That’s the great thing about traditions … you don’t always realize you’re creating them, but they become core memories.” DON’T FORGET THE GROWN-UPS And what about “me time?” It’s rare, but it’s sacred. “I wake up early and protect that quiet time,” Walters said. “Time with Jesus, movement and my husband — those are the things that refill my cup.” Ethridge and her husband prioritize a weekly date night. “We’ve found that reconnecting regularly is crucial. And yes, I squeeze in a pedicure whenever possible!” WHY IT’S WORTH IT Sure, there are trade-offs — more mouths to feed, more activities on the calendar, more commotion than your average home — but the unexpected perks make it all worth it. “No one is ever lonely,” said Ethridge with a smile. “And the built-in community our kids have? It’s amazing.” Walters agreed. “They learn to share, forgive and care for each other. There’s beauty in letting go of perfection and focusing on what really matters.” THINKING OF GROWING YOUR FAMILY? Vriens advice is simple: “Just do it. You won’t regret it.” Etheridge added, “It’s a sacrifice, yes. But it’s also the most rewarding thing we’ve ever done. The love, the laughter, the lessons — it’s all worth it.” Walters put it beautifully: “Your capacity grows with your ‘yes.’ You don’t have to be enough — God fills in the gaps. We just steward each season the best we can and trust him with the rest.” our town The Vriens. The Etheridges.
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