Perspective

When I was little there was a story that my mom would read to me about a little boy who was having a very bad day and kept saying he was going back to bed. Thats me today, and for the sake of, well, the world, I  think I should go back to bed.

I got up this morning, worried about sending my first grader out into a world that is scary and dangerous and evil. I was more than just a little irritated at him for having the audacity to cough but not have a fever, therefore making my excuses for a sick day null and void.

My husband didn't kiss me full on the lips as he walked out the door and one of my kids spilled their milk all over the living room floor where the kitchen table, and the fridge for that matter, are currently parked. I got the crock pot out, sick of eating McDonalds double cheese burgers and it was covered in dust from our kitchen remodel project. Speaking of that, I am wondering why we sat down and looked at our calendar and said, hmmm the week we leave for North Carolina for Christmas promises to be hectic, lets do it then!

The ham didn't fit in the crock pot and so the potatoes sticking out turned colors and the lid won't fit on it. My brother mentioned that he doesn't think we'll have enough tile to finish the floor this week, and there will be no way that my washer will be hooked up in time to do laundry before we leave.

I got cut off on the way to school to drop Kyler off and I had a weird conversation with my husband that left we wondering if we were fighting. Back at home the baby screamed for an hour before taking a nap, and the two year old pooped his last clean pair of underwear.

I got an email saying that my five year old needs a gift for a gift exchange in his clasroom tomorrow.

And then I remembered that I have alive and healthy kids that drive me crazy, I have a kitchen that I am fortunate enough to be remodeling. True I don't know if I can stand that Veggie Tales movie AGAIN, but thank God there is someone there who wants to watch it 50 times in a row!

My brother told me to see all of these little things as opportunites to learn how to be more flexible. He is currently trying to fix the world deepest wedgie for that comment!!

And so I am thankful that I have to wipe dust off of the peanut butter everytime we eat. I am thankful we have peanut butter so we can eat even without cooking appliances. I am thankful for friends who graciously invite me to use their washer and dryer. I am thankful for my smart mouthed little brother who is working until his back breaks to get my floor in. I am thankful that my husband and I haven't killed each other and like each other just enough to probably keep us from actually killing each other any time soon. I am thankful for the four sticky little mouths, and the fighting and the 25 excuses for getting out of bed at night and the wet underwear and the clingy baby that wants me to hold him and the dead flies I find in my son's pocket. Ok maybe not the flies.....

 

 

 

 

UH OH!

Ask any mom what her least favorite part of motherhood is. Hmmmm Teething? Heck yeah that bites! (pun totally intended) Getting a call from the teacher telling you that your child has a rock stuck in their ear? Yep not the best mommy moment! Realizing that you are standing in a group of executives at your husbands Christmas party and have spit up in your hair? Ew! For me its potty training! I hate it!!

Its that year or 3 that everything smells like pee and your couch has been cleaned so many times its a completely new color and you now have to buy new curtains to match the new color.

Caleb decided he was done with diapers one day. I put him in big boy pants and for three days straight not one accident. People I am thinking that maybe I am finally figuring out how to be a good mother to this child and I am overlooking the fact that he is sticking lego light sabers up his nose or spitting the almonds back into the chex mix bowl, because he is diaper free!!

Well all good things must come to an end and we wouldn't want me thinking I have this mommy thing figured out!! So we throw in a few accidents, never at home mind you, or when I have remembered to bring extra clothes along.

If you are a mom you have probably experienced the following. You are out somewhere. You are talking to someone who is telling you how cute your four little boys are and you are glowing with maternal pride, when you look over and you see THAT face. OH NO! You grab the kid holding him slightly away from you as you search frantically for a bathroom. Line out the womens restroom, can't sneak in the mens. He's biting his lip and crossing his legs and you are desperate. Finally an older experienced woman recognizes the crossed legs wide eyed situation and motiones you ahead. You make it to the stall door. YES! you got this! Aaaaaand then there is a puddle around your feet and the child with the worlds largest bladder is soaked through and through!

Well what would you do say, if you were all dressed up for the older kids piano recital and had no extra clothes and reeked of urine? What any mother would do! Try to soak the pee up with paper towel, rub a little soap onto the jeans and make the kid sit on the floor on his coat, while the the other older one whispers loud enough for the entire room to hear that "HE STINKS!"

Yesterday I was stting in the doctors office and potty training child starts whining that he has to go potty. We are about to be called back. What do I do? I bribe him. Hold it and I'll buy you a pony! Pretty soon he looks up at me and loudly exclaims, "oh no I don't have to go potty, I just had to fart!"

Oh Lord!!

And later he asked the doctor if he wanted to see Bullseye and I realized where he was wearing Bullseye just in time!! Our doctor informed us he was moving out of state. Coincidence??