we’ve got DRAMA… yes, we do… we’ve got DRAMA… how ’bout you?

between a
mom who is over-reacting and way too tense in the early morning…
and a
Truman who insists on touching the hot waffle iron even after mom’s 10 warnings…
and then
cries all morning about his cute little burned hand…
and a
Max who thinks he needs hot chocolate twice in one morning…
and
asks for marshmallows before breakfast (uhhhh… let me think? No.)…
and an
Abe who is bouncing around the house with so much energy…
and a
Hannah who is wishing she could actually sleep in instead of being woken by noisy boys…

we have ever-lasting DRAMA around here… and that was before 9 a.m.

After finally getting everyone ready we made it out the door by 10:30… why does it take so long? Oh wait – plastering abe’s turkeys … finding shoes for Max and Tru… snacks for everyone… finding a decent and clean shirt for Abe (there is no hope for the high-water jeans)… max shutting tru’s hand in the drawer… more wailing… water bottles… sunglasses… eye cream and teeth brushing for hannah… and finally when everyone is buckled in… we realize we need to take Max potty.

But – we made it out the door… to Target… and to SLC to join dad for lunch (with 100 senior missionaries staring at us like we were bonkers to leave the house and go out in public with the energetic tots (and occasionally a screaming toddler) and a huge pregnant mama.) But – we LIVE – and hopefully someone has some fun along the way.

I think for a few minutes each day, I remember that we are a happy family. That moment came after dinner when I was resting on the outdoor swing. The weather was perfect. Jimmy was finishing yard work and fixing the swings on the playset. Tru and Max were actually happily playing in the sandbox. Hannah and Abe were doing some silly play and riding on each other’s backs while crawling around. And we were a happy family.

Then… it ended after bathtime and Tru peed on the floor in the pantry (I can’t keep up with that kid). While mopping it up, I started thinking of all the very many chores I never get done… (like scrubbing the floor of the pantry)… and was overwhelmed… oh, the tears. I just have to remember that sometimes JOY comes in moments and that all the struggles are building character… right?

See – here we are as a happy family…
oh – wait. I think Tru forgot to participate in that happy moment. He was too busy screaming and wanting down to play in the fountain. sigh…

so – to end the day on an inspiring note… I read this talk… Daughters of God … Elder Ballard

“Recognize that the JOY of motherhood comes in moments.
There will be hard times and frustrating times.
But amid the challenges,
there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.”

carry on… carry on… carry on…

p.s.  do you like how this post came right after the delightful “Enjoy the Present” post.  Oh – how I am so up and down and all around with things… loving kids one second… frustrated the next… delighted… in tears… up… down… all around.