No, this is not my child. (although it looks a bit like GE, yes??)
But I totally get this picture. Three years ago, I would not have understood it. I would have given it a miniscule chuckle.
Now?? Three years, three kids, and one baby in the oven later, I think it is hilarious. Out loud laughed. I especially appreciate that this totally-had-it mother had the presence of mind/conscience to at least tape a beloved companion next to her child. By the neck.
Every so often, someone will make a comment to me like, "You always have it so together. How do you do it?" or "You are always so organized." I always debate at those moments as to what to say...do I tell the truth and let them know that I forgot it was Western Day at Montessori last week, and my son went with a zoo shirt on that has a stain at the bottom? or do I look bashful and relish in my own pretend glory?
My very favorite is when I have events at my home, such as baby showers or birthday parties, (which by the way, I love planning and creating events like that), and someone says to me, "Your house is so clean! That is so amazing that you can keep it looking like this with all of these kids!" Again, I go through my inner debate on what to say...should I just wave my hand and pretend I snap my fingers like Mary Poppins and wha-la, it is clean? Or should I invite them over later, after the people have gone home, after the kids have walked around for about five minutes, or after a snack, much less a meal? That person would probably be shocked! It always amazes me the havoc that three children can bring to a clean house.
So the jig is up. No, my house doesn't look like it does when I have parties. It doesn't really look like that...ever. In all reality, I have probably stayed up the entire night before cleaning it. I love having my home look like a magazine for a few hours, but I wouldn't trade the craziness and busyness of life now for a magazine cover home. I know that before I know it, these years will be gone, and I can have my house as clean and tidy as I like it.
When I had Ellis, and found out we were expecting Tate so quickly, I knew I had to make a decision. Either I am going to be super stressed out (which my kids will feel), and worry about every little toy in its place, and my laundry all done, or I can go through my life, enjoying my husband and my children, knowing that they are more important than any cleaning agenda or what anyone else thinks of me or the state of my home. And guess what? We have all survived, happily and healthily. The kids are full and safe and healthy and clean. Kent has only run out of underwear and had to wear a jock strap to work once, the house is tidy (in a messy sort of way), not perfect, and we are relaxed and happy. Yes, probably weekly, I have to look around and take a deep breath, and after seeing this picture, I may need to consider duct taping all of the kids to the wall so I can get some things done around here, but I constantly have to remind myself of the bigger picture.
Kent and I were talking recently about how Ellis is old enough now to make memories. Will he remember if there were a few crumbs on the floor or some mail stacked up on the counter?
Of course not.
Case in point...
I recently attended the Mother's Day Tea at Ellis' preschool class. The kids were to write what they liked about their mother or what they were thankful for about them.
Most of the kids wrote things like, "She washes my clothes" or "She makes me lunches".
Ellis wrote, "She plays with me and sings with me."
Now this is not to say the other Moms don't do those things, I am sure they do, but it meant so much to my heart that that was the FIRST thing Ellis thought of. He is internalizing the time I play with he and Tate and GloryEvelyn and sing silly songs.
This is hard to do at times when you can see stacks of work all around you.
I am still learning how to balance everything, and at times, I do feel I am faltering in some areas. I like to be organized, but by no means, do I have it all together.
But I do have a happy husband and three precious joyful kids. That's pretty much all I could ask for.
Oh, and to be able to snap my fingers like Mary Poppins.
