Perhaps it’s because today was a killer, and perhaps y’all will just have to ignore me and my random thoughts… but I just was thinking about this throughout the day.
Last night I was chatting with some friends about how sometimes we assume the moms around us are Wonder Woman… with everything put together in life in their perfect little home and tidy children, etc. BUT… in reality, most are just plugging along with individual struggles… doing their best, but not doing all the AMAZING things at the same time. Yes, doing AMAZING here and there, but it’s not possible to do it ALL … all the time.
Today my AMAZING was getting the dishes semi-done. That was a task, I’ll tell ya. Another AMAZING was attempting to help Hannah clean up her barf-bowl (4 times) while keeping Tru out of the way (practically impossible). Plus, I made dinner… AMAZING (though not very tasty). Other days AMAZING is really… well, more AMAZING. And it’s funny how my view of AMAZING changes in different stages of life … or even week-to-week.
The NOT-SO-AMAZING was when Abe cried when I explained that even though I want to sit and listen to him read in peace and quiet for an hour, it’s not always going to happen without interruption. The other NOT-SO-AMAZING was my attitude about the 4 completely nasty diapers I changed. Please tell me other homes smell like poop on those blessed days.
A neighbor of 2 little ones was asking me for parenting advice for her little 2-year-old. I honestly had no ideas. I’m definitely not the hero of parenting. Plus every child is so different and every parent is so different. Anyhoo… she commented that my kids were so good and obedient. I chuckled. Yes, my kids have WONDERFUL moments…. and they are overall pretty good tots. BUT I told her to come join us for FHE or family scripture study to get the real scoop. Half the family is either in tears, slouching, growling, or running around in chaos. But we try… and we keep going with it.
So – what is my point of all this random blah? I guess I just think I need to appreciate the little things I accomplish that are good each day instead of feeling bad about all that didn’t get done (a hard one for me). I need to just be glad when Jimmy helps so much instead of feeling bad that I need help to keep afloat. And I think I can’t always assume that I’m the only mom who struggles. We all need each other, don’t we? I find comfort and strength in knowing that I’m not the only mom ploughing through … and that other moms have endured well those challenging days… even if that means serving breakfast for supper. :)
Our lil' fam - 2004
I drove to Costco in the minivan with the empty light on. I had delayed this unfortunate event long enough. It had to be done. I’ve been filling the tank half full to spread the $$ out over pay periods. But since there is no end in sight for high gas prices, I sighed and filled her up. $58.55 later, I choked and drove away. The good side… Costco was 15 cents cheaper than anywhere else. And I guess today I’m grateful I don’t have a suburban to guzzle the gas.
