The Hard Work of Motherhood.....

All since 3 pm......

-welcomed kids home

-got kiddos snacks

-went through backpacks

-reminded kids to put backpacks etc away

-cleaned up the kitchen again...

-went through the mail

-helped Joseph get the printer to work so he could print up a homework assignment

-handled various discipline issues

-made a couple of phone calls

-negotiated atleast 5 small tussles between kids

-took away the Wii after those tussles continued

-corralled all the kids up to do their jobs

-made sure kids practiced the piano

-Eric off to his piano  lesson..glad he can drive himself

-talked through an  issue with spouse

-Eric off to basketball with his Dad

-had a long drawn out heart to heart talk with one of my boys about the importance of not being critical and instead looking for the good in everyone...building and lifting everyone..yadah yadi yadah...
-emptied dishwasher

-made dinner

-ate dinner...encouraged and coaxed healthy eating and happy talk

-did the dishes with some help

-had a few laughs with everyone over Superbowl commercials we watched on youtube...so funny

-got Scott dressed again

-pulled the family together for family home evening..gratefully  listened to my husband share the family home evening lesson...grateful for a moment to just sit....and feel gratitude for the good dad my children have...

-cuddled with Jacob after he had been sent away to the "calm couch"

-helped Joseph make a family home evening treat

-cleaned up Scott who snuck off during family home evening and was eating the treats out of a large bowl headfirst and was covered with powdered sugar and chocolate

-little talk with oldest son about something on his mind

-snuck away to the basement TV and watched part of "24" with my big boys .... ( I would rather watch it on DVD and skip the commercials--but wanted to spend a bit of time with these boys )

-cut Joseph's hair

-swept the floor

-helped Michael with his Math homework..pre algebra

-listened to everyone's "hey mom's" which I love but by 10:00 pm I am getting weary....

-and yes tucked Michael and Jacob into bed about 10:00....oiye!

-putting Scott to bed in a few moments because he napped until 5 pm oiye!!  I know-- terrible!!


Earlier today I just didn't know if I could continue to do all this...  so what did I do?  I turned to my own mother who undoubtedly had many many hard days herself as a mother....and she listened and  bouyed me up and I felt her prayers added to my own and a higher power bouyed me up as well.   So....I picked it all up and kept moving forward....

This just is hard work....sometimes it feels like a war..trying to get everyone to be nice, be responsible, be respectful, remember about a thousand things, getting everyone where they need to be when and with what they need, and it goes on and on.....

And today is just an ordinary day....and Mondays are one of the calmer days of the week.  It is all good... just hard work.  The last three days have been particularly taxing..   But,   I know in my heart and in my gut that I am doing something very  important.  And I know I need to enjoy these ordinary and full days.  Because they will not last forever..and I will miss them.

I want to say I  am thankful today for the hard work of great women in my life...especially my own wonderful Mother.. she is one amazing, strong woman who walks by faith with love in her heart.

And....today I am thankful to my Mom who comforted me and helped me find the strength and hope to keep going...

 There are just days when we need our mothers, our sisters and the examples of grandmothers and aunts to help us keep calm and carry on!!   So grateful that I have so many  great women in my life to lean on and walk beside in this great adventure..