9 to 5

I have been wanting to sit down and write for a while but each time I tried, duty called. Being a mama, as you know, has a never ending list of demands. 

Us mamas don't have a time card where we punch in and out...we are never "off duty."

 I know most of you have come across something that outlines what a mother is- be it a nurse, chef, maid, taxi driver, teacher, etc. It's true. I have been responsible for more "jobs" than I ever knew I would be as a mother to these little beings.

For the record, I would also like to add professional wiper to my resume. 

I am fairly positive that some days I have a cloth, baby wipe, or kleenex in my right hand at all times just in case someone needs their tush, nose, and/or face wiped for the zillionth time. Case in point- Tuesday my pretty little princess did what she does best and had a monster blow out (I know, I know...you are probably so grateful for the visual ;). Anywho- just about the time I had finished wiping her little tush- our daycare baby happened to have followed in Bella's footsteps so I got a lovely two-for-one in the diapering department. And here was the cherry on top- just as I had finished scrubbing my hands, Brayden's voice called out from the bathroom announcing he needed "the wiper" as well. 

In other words, sh*t happens. A lot. Haha.

....and I will be real with you- some days it seems like a thankless job. Some days, I am not sure I can physically keep up with my never ending list of demands. Some days, I am absolutely positive that if this were an actual "job" I probably would've gotten fired.

I lost my patience one too many times.

The house is still a disaster.

Brayden was entertained by one too many episodes of whatever super hero show I could scrounge up.

Dinner will be cereal tonight. Out of the box. Bon appetit!

I am unshowered, and yep those are still my pajamas.

.

I might go so far as to echo the author Judith Voirst's words and describe our day as a "horrible, no good, very bad day."

I had one such day recently and sat down on the couch at the day's end and sighed. Loudly.

I am pretty sure I had spit up all down my shirt. Stress and exhaustion had won their battle and were now staking their claim by setting up in creases all over my face. And is that a grey hair?!

 Not a pretty picture let me tell you.

...and into this very self pitying moment my little 3 year old did step.

He plopped right up on the couch next to me and asked cheerfully, "How was your day, Mama?"

I tried to hold back tears while I replied with a "It was a little rough today, babe. How was yours?"

And here was where my whole horrible, no good, terrible day turned around.

You know what that little guy said?

He said he had a great day. 

And he meant it.

I seriously sat there for a minute and wondered how on God's green Earth he could feel this way...and then I was caught by a montage of flashbacks.

Giggles at his baby sister blowing raspberries.

Practicing his best Hulk impersonation and stomping around the living room proclaiming, "HULK SMASH!"

Joy over how we get to have another "jammy party" day in which he models about 7 different pairs of pjs.

Thinking he is getting away with something as he digs into the cheerios box and giggles before stuffing the little circles into his mouth.

And that's when it hit me: 

the giggles. and smiles. and hugs.

 In his precious little mind- he saw only the good. 

What a gift he had given me in that moment. It was worth more that a lifetime of paychecks from any other "real job." 

It was in fact priceless.

That moment reminds me constantly to focus on the good.

Because no matter what has occurred, chances are there is still beauty right in front of you. 

....and when I think about that, I think I must be doing something right.

After all, my biggest task on my to do list is and always will be to make my babies feel happy and loved.

So- while I might technically be in charge of navigating these little ones through life, I cannot tell you how many times they have been my teachers. Teachers of lessons so much more important than what number follows 12 or what sound the letter A makes. 

So the next time I doubt myself or am facing a rough day, I will do my best to remember the lesson Brayden shared with me. 

 I will let the smiles and giggles and love define my day. 

I WILL focus on the positive.

And I dare you to do the same.

Sharing some of our joy with you...

All my love,

Kris