Mamasaysom: respect

My mom raised three boys all of them almost exactly 2 years apart. (and she raised me but I didn't come til the end and four years after the last boy) How did she do this? Right now I have two boys. Two very high maintenance, intelligent, energetic, drive me crazy boys. And they aren't even old enough to gang up on me yet. I highly respect my mother on her ability to get along so well with kids. My boys love being with her. Again I ask though, how did she do this with out losing her mind?
(pics are of mom with Collin and Quintin)