Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Don't take me too seriously, people.

Hmmm. It occurs to me after reading the comments on yesterday's post that I may need to set something straight. I do not actually wish I could get a job and ship my kids off to someone else for the summer. Well, at least not 95 percent of the time. The other 5 percent? We all have those moments.

Please don't tell me if you don't have those moments.

I genuinely love being a stay at home mom. OK, most of the time I love it. But motherhood is similar to the nursery rhyme.
"When she is good she is very, very good.
But when she is bad she is horrid."
And yesterday was just kind of horrid. And I'd be lying if I didn't admit that my fantasies for the day had been reduced to something depressing like actually folding an entire load of laundry without having to stop to utter a phrase like "Clara, no, please don't eat my lipstick!" or "Brandon, when I asked you to watch the little ones WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT MEANT IT WAS OK TO PLAY WITH SQUIRT GUNS IN THE HOUSE?"

You know, hypothetically.

But today was better. Today felt much more like what summer is supposed to be about.

Today...
  • When I left the house this morning four cars were parked on the street. Four of Brandon's friends who spent the night and stayed up all night playing video games and shooting pool. While I am not sure I will ever get used to the idea of his friends having their own cars, the sight of them this morning passed out on the floor, sunburned and washed in the innocence of sleep, felt like a glimpse into summers past. Even if they are all six feet tall.
  • We went to the pool with some friends and Ben finally ventured into the deep end with nothing but "water wings." I was so proud I started calling family members from my cell phone. He was so proud he called his dad. It was awesome.
  • Clara almost drowned twice in the 12 inches of water they had in the baby pool. How do you teach a one-year-old to "just stand up!" I put a floaty on Clara after that. She was the only kid I've ever seen sporting swim ring in knee deep water. (OK, this part was actually kind of scary especially after my friend's toddler did the same thing. That thing about kids being able to drown in 6 inches of water...It's totally true.)
  • Ben and Clara decided to be friends again. In fact on the way to bed tonight we did an "I love Clara" conga line to the tune of "I want candy." I am not naive enough to think this is a permanent condition, but for the moment...priceless.
  • Tonight when Ben went to bed he said, "Night Mommy. I'll see you when you wake up so we can have another superfun day."
How is it that the exact same kids that had me hiding in a closet with a bottle of wine yesterday left my heart feeling too big for my chest today? It sure is a rollercoaster, this parenting gig, but I'm certainly glad I bought a ticket.

Or, you know, four.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah, I live for those days when everything seems right in the world. It's those days that make the other ones bearable.

Your little ones are adorable.

karen said...

Swiss Boarding School, baby. My threat and desperate wish on those 5% days - whether I'd like to ship off myself or the boys, it's difficult to say.

It sounds like your day today was great! I'm glad you got a breather.

Lisa Spence said...

It's those glimpses of God's grace that remind us to be faithful!

So glad you had a good day!

By the way, my #2 son wore a swim ring AND water wings for years!

Kat said...

Ahh. Good days. We live for those. :)

pinkmommy said...

"How is it that the exact same kids that had me hiding in a closet with a bottle of wine yesterday left my heart feeling too big for my chest today?" Oh so true!

Beck said...

Are you kidding? I frequently think "I could go study polar bears in Alaska." Some days SUCK.

spaz said...

Yay Ben!!! What a big boy! He is so brave. I wish I could conquer my fears like children do.

Kelly for Team Rainey said...

Joy,
Do you think us almost letting our children drown would qualify us for "Worst Mama Ever"?? Hey, I had to ask my neighbors not to call DFACS on me since 2 of mine went under less than 5 seconds apart! LOL!! ~Kelly

Lori said...

That's what keeps us coming back for more! If not more kids, than at least it's what gets us to get up every morning and try again- even when yesterday was a disaster.

I don't want a job either. I like the one I have. :)

Way to go Ben!!

Kyla said...

Ahhhh, good days. They sure know how to keep us coming back for more.

the dragonfly said...

Even with just a one year old I have those days. The past few days he's been cranky and I've been testy, all because of jetlag. Well, not just jetlag...he's also cutting THREE teeth.

But then he looks at me and giggles, and waves, and claps, and says "mamma!" and all is right with the world again. :)

painted maypole said...

i totally have those days... the good ones AND the hide in the closet with a bottle of wine ones.

mamatutwo said...

Oh, my! You are living my life in a parallel universe! About two weeks ago, we had a "We're such best friends that we could be twins!" phase. It took me by surprise but was a blessing to see. And a couple of days ago...oh, man...I just had to wonder about myself. But then it got better yesterday. It's a really good thing that my kids forgive so easily. I need lots of forgiving!

Nancy Sabina said...

Oh man do I know where you're coming from. My two year old has the ability to make me cry and then turn that into a laugh in two seconds. Definitely a neverending roller coaster.