"Story" for Moms

Keling · Post by **Keling** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:06 pm

This could be almost any of us!Sara THE LIFE OF A MOTHER My husband came home today and saw me sitting on the couch, toddler on one knee, and baby nursing on the opposite breast. I was trying to turn the pages of a book with the hand not attached to the infant, while listening to the sound of the stove buzzer, which would indicate that tonight's pork chops were at the stage between "well done" and "the dog gets tonight's entree". My husband looked at me innocently and asked "So, did you do anything today?" It's a good thing that most of my appendages were otherwise engaged, as I was unable to jump up and throttle him to death. This was probably for the best, as I assume that asking a stupid question is not grounds for murder in this country. Let me back up a bit and explain what led me to this point in my life. A mere four years ago, I had a good job, steady income, and a vehicle that could not seat a professional sports team and me comfortably. I watched television shows that were not hosted by singing puppets. I went to bed later than nine o'clock at night. I preferred sex to sleeping in. I laughed at those people who drove halfway across the country hauling a tent trailer, three screaming kids, and a drooling dog and called it a holiday. Now I have become one of them!What happened? The stick turned blue. I have traded in my Victoria's Secrets lingerie for cotton briefs and a firm support nursing bra. Good Bye Garth Brooks, Hello Barney and Big Bird. My idea of privacy is getting to use the bathroom without a 2 yr. old banging on the door and the baby spinning the toilet paper roll from my lap. And I finally understand that the term "Stay at home Mom" does not refer to a parent who no longer works outside the house, but rather to one who never seems to get out of the front door. So, here I sit, children in hand, wondering, how to answer my beloved husband. DID I DO ANYTHING TODAY? Well, I think I did, although not much seems to have gotten accomplished. I shared breakfast in bed with a handsome young man about 34 inches tall who only gets excited at the sight of purple dinosaurs, toy trucks and French fries. I got to take a relaxing stroll in the woods, looking for frogs and lizards and had to stop and smell the dandelions along the way. I successfully washed one load of laundry, moved the load that was in the washer into the dryer, and the dryer load into the basket. The load that was in the basket is now spread out on the bed. I read two or three classics, by Seuss and Munsch. I don't think I will be making any trips to the adult section of my local library anytime soon. In between I dusted, wiped, organized and rearranged. I kissed away the owies and washed away the tears. I scolded, praised, hugged, and tested my patience, all before noon.Did I do anything today?? You betcha! I will now understand what people mean when they say that parenting is the hardest job they will ever have. In my LBD (life before diapers) I was able to teach young minds how to divide fractions, write complex sentences, but I am unable to teach a strong willed 2 yr. old how to use the toilet. I was once able to navigate urban streets while talking on the car phone and looking for a decent radio station, but now I can't get the wheels on mystroller to all go in the same direction. I've graduated from a university, written newspaper articles, and won awards, but can't figure out how to get carrot stains out of the carpet. I used to debate with my friends about politics, but now we discuss the merits of cloth versus disposable. And when did I stop talking in sentences that had more than 5 words? So in response to my husbands inquiry, yes I did do something today. In fact, I am one step closer to one of life's greatest accomplishments. I held a miracle in my arms. Two in fact. My children are my greatest accomplishment and the opportunity to raise them is my greatest challenge. I don't know if my children will grow up to be great leaders or world class brain surgeons. Frankly, I don't care, as long as they grow up to be good people. They are my greatest joys, even though I sometimes cry myself to sleep at night in frustration. The point is that today I got to watch my children take another step on the great journey of life, and I even got to point out some of the sites along the way. As challenging as parenthood is, it is also equally rewarding because we are using all our wisdom, our talent and skills to help forge a new person. It is this person, these people, who in turn will use their gifts to create our future.So every nursery rhyme I recite, every swing I push every little hand I hold is something. And I did it today!

moodyonceamth · Post by **moodyonceamth** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:09 pm

hear, hear!!

4kfam · Post by **4kfam** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:11 pm

This is a very nice summation of motherhood....tfs!

sweetpeas_mom · Post by **sweetpeas_mom** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:30 pm

scrappinchic · Post by **scrappinchic** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 3:49 pm

Amen.

starlipermom · Post by **starlipermom** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:23 pm

Men, You've got to LOVE them. (Even when they act dumb)...

bellaconsmom · Post by **bellaconsmom** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:25 pm

love it, thanks for sharing!

Hilary · Post by **Hilary** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:12 pm

I love that.

baltoscrapper · Post by **baltoscrapper** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:20 pm

Yeah for the moms!

ksf1968 · Post by **ksf1968** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 4:23 pm

truest to the point and always remember God didnt send them with Instuctions we do our best in raising them to be wonderful respectable adults...smiles

No1Mommy · Post by **No1Mommy** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 5:50 pm

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Nanna-Star · Post by **Nanna-Star** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 7:21 pm

TFS. Emailing to family & friends.Christina

SuperGrover · Post by **SuperGrover** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:29 am

THAT is the best!

scrapsakes · Post by **scrapsakes** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:37 pm

need we say more?! ( throttle him to death, HA! love that!! )

jessinmich · Post by **jessinmich** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:10 pm

OK, CRYING......Thank you so much for sharing that! I have actually been battling with my husband over the same things. Every night he gets home and looks around and askes "what did you do today" At first i'd tell him the list, now i just take it as he's wondering why nothing gets done and i get pissed! So i guess i'm not the only one....that was wonderful!

bellaconsmom · Post by **bellaconsmom** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:37 pm

thanks for sharing!

jbw4us · Post by **jbw4us** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:13 pm

Great!

MelissaM · Post by **MelissaM** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:33 pm

perfectly put...TFS

Post by **Emsdancemom** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:00 pm

arcticbreeze · Post by **arcticbreeze** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 12:03 pm

Thanks for that.