I do many, many things wrong as a mother. I lose my temper. I don’t always stick to consistent routines. I try to balance working from home with entertaining my kids, and it doesn’t always work. But I do three things consistently right. I make sure my girls eat a variety of healthy home-cooked foods. I pray openly and often in front of and with them. And I read and read and read whichever books they desire. So for all I do wrong, I can cling to these three things I do right.
Look at their sweet faces. Can they really drive me crazy? Yes. Yes they can.
Mom?
What?
Um….mom?
What?!
Mom…can I have…um….
WHAT?! You’re stressing me out, kid!
Some days, I am full of love and patience and only soft words for my children. Other days, though, I am impatient and unkind. I am Old Yeller. Trivial things get under my skin. Usually ones that happen after some major annoyance. (Like the toddler knocking over an entire two-liter of Sierra Mist on purpose as you’re pouring a little bit for your sick preschooler who’s laying on the couch. And that was after the dog puked on the floor and the kitty jumped up on the kitchen counter and ate my breakfast.) There are times when I imagine living with cameras in my house, recording my every move. Super Nanny wouldn’t approve.
I …
Best part about this cinnamon roll? Zero Weight Watchers points.
I can’t right now, I have to make lunch.
I can’t right now, I have to change sister’s diaper.
I can’t right now, I have to clean up the mess from lunch.
I can’t right now, I have to do a little work on the computer.
I can’t right now, I have to go to the bathroom.
I can’t right now, I have to fold laundry.
I can’t right now, (insert reason here).
These were all of the responses I gave to my daughter’s persistent question, “Mom, can you play house with me?,” before I gave an exasperated “OK.”
Her eyes lit up. “Good! I made you lunch in the toy room, come see!” I trudged up the stairs, annoyed that the baby wasn’t napping, exhausted from being up with the baby three times the …
As mothers, we’ve all been here. But what we wouldn’t give to be here again if we should ever lose our child. (image from: amanbirthservices.com)
It’s 3 a.m. Do you know where your children are? Mine are upstairs in their bedrooms. One sleeping soundly. The other in the throes of a full-blown tantrum, beside herself that I’ve finally stopped giving her milk at night. It was a bad habit. One that needed to be broken. And as much as it breaks my heart, and hurts my ears, I am grateful. Each scream is a blessing. Each cry is reminder that she is here. She is alive.
Somewhere, not too far from here, in a linoleum-floored hospital room, a mother holds the hand of her young daughter. She is dying. Cancer has wrapped its treacherous tentacles around her …
“I apologize, but this just has to be said. “you suck!” can you tell I’m super jealous?!”
This was the comment from a dear friend on a Facebook status I posted this morning. Granted, my original status was a little Pollyannish, “Brr! Cuddling under a blanket and movies are on our agenda. Really loving my job today! ;-)”
You see, I feel like I’ve been complaining quite a bit lately about this SAHM gig. A preschooler who escapes from her carseat and sinks her teeth into your forearm while you’re driving down the road will do that to you. (This was after her cowgirl boots were chucked at my head.) It was a bad day. But they’re not all bad days. Like today, for example. I felt like I needed to share some of the good moments …
Big sister couldn’t wait to meet little sister, and just loved blowing raspberries on mommy’s big belly. (Photo courtesy clgphotography.net)
I have a 3 and 1 year old. I get little sleep every night. My house is usually in complete chaos, overrun by toys, clothes, and more toys. Silence is a thing of the past, a treasure I savor whenever I get a few glorious minutes. But there are moments, crazy-in-the-head moments, when I long to be pregnant again. Is it the cute newborn pics my friends keep posting to Facebook? No. Those kids are cute but not that cute. Is it the pretty preggo belly shots my friends are taking? No. They look cute with a swollen frame, but I didn’t look that cute preggers. Is it the love I feel for my two …