Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Happy Mother's Day.

Today I woke up with a kink in my back that doesn't allow me turn all the way to the left or the right.
Bending down to pick something up or even pour a simple glass of juice for breakfast sends a shooting pain up my neck and down my back and tears out the side of my eyes.
But did that stop me from doing what needed to be done..
No.
What needs to be done in a day of mom is no match for a silly little kink...
Alarm sounds at 6am.
Coffee percolates by 6:15am
The first child awakes at 6:30am straggles to the kitchen and pours the routine bowl of cereal.
Leaving a trail of milk around the bowl with several missed placed pieces of cereal across the floor.
While that child takes a shower it leaves just enough time to lay out the two options of clothing for the youngest child which well inevitably be ignored and an entirely new outfit(barely matching) will be worn.
Now that it is 7am the rest of the motley crew have arose to the morning routine, one child barely makes it to the kitchen,but manages to mustard up his typical sunny disposition. The youngest can't seem to find the kitchen because of how distracted she is by her oldest brother and his strange antics.
Blissfully by 7:20am the teenager as checked his hair, his outfit and grabbed his barely together back pack and has vacated the premises.
With two left and an ever pressing engagement with their school we begin the fast passed ever daunting task of positive motivation.....
Please hurry up.
Have you brushed your teeth sweeties?
What do you want in your lunch honey?
Did you want a snack today baby?
Hurry up!
Where are you shoes kiddo?
Hurry up!!!
Your teeth.
your shoes....
lunch, whats for lunch?!!!!
Are you kidding, what are you doing ,why would you do that, come on, what is taking you so long,
oh my gosh how hard is it to answer me......
See,, positive motivation works all the time
7:50am and we are out the door.
Whew, they all made it.
Now I can sit and have one lukewarm cup of coffee and start again,
One load of laundry started, the other removed from the dryer,
Sweep one kitchen floor and two bathrooms.
Mop all three rooms.
Check on one package being shipped from Colorado.
Change sheets on beds.
Place that load in the wash while putting the other in the dryer now.
Vacuum, dust, and start to defrost whats for dinner.
What is for dinner?
Still that ever pressing kink in the back hasn't stopped either.
By now I can pick up the youngest, listen to her tell of her day, complain of her wrist pain
and figure out what she wants for lunch.
Start her homework never minding the fact that she has two whole draws full of pencils and crayons but she can't seem to find not one, one measly little pencil for her work. So now she breaks down into how this is the worst day of her life. No one cares for her and she can't believe how mean I am.
After some consoling we move on and all is well.
By 2pm the fun really begins we retrieved the teenager and return to the home front.
There are several rounds of crazy antics and even more positive motivation going on.
Pleeease son pleeeease be an example and do your homework.
Thank you.
Son, what are you doing? That doesn't look like homework.
Please let go of your sister... no she isn't having any fun.
When she says no she means it.
Now look what you did.
Oh good you're doing your homework.
Please leave your brother alone.
Hey, I said leave him alone.
OK you two that's it go to your rooms.
One leaves the room in tears and slamming doors, the other leaves the house with attitude and has no idea that the door is locked behind him...
Few minutes later the youngest announces she is sorry for bothering her brother and wants to join him outside.
To which I proclaim nope we have to go and get your other brother from school now.
3pm and we all have snack and a brief moment of solitude.
Followed by ...
you guessed it positive motivation.
What homework do you have?
Please leave her alone.
Get off the computer.
No, you are not playing the Wii.
Get your homework done then you can go outside or play on the computer.
And depending on the day, and
in between homework, more picking up, refereeing, comforting feelings , skinned knees and elbows, making dinner, we are either getting soccer stuff ,swim stuff, or bible study stuff together. Not to mention the probability of having someone need to see a doctor, dentist or get a pair of glasses adjusted.
Hopefully by 7:30pm I'm cleaning dishes, folding more laundry, finishing up bath time and reading one bedtime story and finally maybe sitting down.
This day includes just a few of what a day in the life of this mom may do but not necessarily all of what really goes on.
To all you moms out there my hats are off to you.
We sleep with one eye open.
We eat things that started off hot but are no longer.
We have cleaned up and held things in our hands that were never meant to be.
We coach, we train, we comfort and scold, we hope, we love, and we laugh just a little
because no matter how long, how hard or how out of this world our days may be we wouldn't trade them for anything.
Mom its the sweetest name that holds so much meaning to everything.
Happy Mother's Day.
Oh yes and that kink it's still there and like all kinks in a mothers life it just gets added to all the other badges we so proudly wear.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

That was beautiful, uplifting, and makes me a bit nervous about wanting to adopt so many children.
Thank you for that. Happy Mommy's day to you too. :)
~Bethany

Laurel said...

I am totally exhausted just READING this!!! You are a hero mommy!

(and a good writer!)

Anonymous said...

My hat os off to you. You are honorable in your authenticity and God honoring in your strength/ commitment especially without reference to me while being away on business... I will be home soon to honor you- Happy Mother's Day

Anonymous said...

Great blog, my favorite yet!


T

Anonymous said...

Alright my friend !! Preaching the truth has always been your strength. It is amazing when you stop to think about it...that's why I'm so tired at the end of the day. And the irony of it all is that we never feel like we've gotten it all done. We always see more we could have gotten done and most of all more we could have built into our children. The journey never ends and thank goodness, God's love and strength never end. Praise Him for His faithfulness and GREAT LOVE.
Love you my friend -- keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

so you only have 3 kids now?? interesting! lol

Elizabeth said...

ok so apparently I need to add to my list of mom duties in a day...they include leaving messages on my college girls cell phone in hopes that she will take a minute out of her day and call me.
i love you tink..