Today was the longest day ever!
If you go to bed at 2 and your baby wakes up at 6 do you call that a night’s sleep or just a nap? I’m not sure, but that’s how today started. How lucky am I for the 4 hours of sleep- there are some mothers who didn’t sleep a wink last night!
Our day started with three little voices each calling out their own demands for breakfast. One wants oatmeal, another blueberries, honey, and milk, the other just wants to nurse because her teeth are coming in. How lucky am I to be able to offer my children all of these healthy food options!
We settled on pancakes made from scratch. Yes, it took more time. It made more dishes. It left pancake batter on the stove. How lucky am I that I had the luxury of time to make a special breakfast which satisfied the hungry bellies of three little girls!
It’s 11:00. The middle one has Gymboree. Rush, rush! We have to get ready. It’s our one hour per week of one-on-one time. I spend the hour singing and clapping and watching my 2 1/2 year old develop her independence, courage and social skills. She runs to hug me between activities. I kiss her and nuzzle her as if we are alone in the room- no observers can intrude on the special moment between us. How lucky am I to have family who offer money for birthdays and Christmas so we can afford Gymboree.
Home again and time for lunch. Thankfully smoothies are the norm and lunch passes without too many gripes, though half of one ends up spilled all over the table. How lucky am I to have the knowledge of how to feed my children to help their bodies grow!
I washed load, after load, after load of laundry. From sheets to shirts, little kids’ to grown-up wardrobes, I washed, dried and folded every hour….for hours. How lucky am I to have had the means to buy clothes and the fortune to receive hand-me-downs so we are all well dressed. How much luckier am I to have a washer and dryer in my home!
I spend time with the contractor discussing his progress and other odd jobs which have been nagging at me. How lucky am I to have a contractor in my life who came to complete a few jobs before our yearly Halloween party! How lucky am I to be able to afford his help!
After cleaning up their room- only to discover more laundry, I spend time watching my littles make a mess of the kitchen table, themselves, the floor and the chairs as they explore with finger paint. It’s a hassle to clean up and they need a shower after. How lucky am I to have hot water with which to bathe them!
It’s only 3:00. How can that be?
The first floor is a mess with kids’ toys and Halloween decorations. I need to vacuum, but have to spend time cleaning up first. How lucky am I to have a house which holds our belongings and needs to be cleaned!
By 6 dinner- a delicious Southwestern salad- is over. The children have not eaten. They chose a hunger strike instead. I’m frustrated and tired, but I know they will not starve forever. How lucky am I to have both a garden and CSA to provide nutritious food for my family!
What am I going to do with these children who won’t go to bed for another 3 or 4 hours? We play Go Fish. Over and over and over again. How lucky am I to have two sweet faces to look upon as we ask each other for cards of a matching color. How lucky am I to have learned how to play a game which can both connect my family and teach my children at the same time!
We switch to school activities. The oldest practices numbers, while the middle searches for specific items in a picture. They are learning self-control, how to follow directions and the skills I’ve set before them. How lucky am I to have formal training in elementary education to guide me as I teach them!
Time for tonight’s bedtime routine. Teeth, potty, tai chi, and stories. 8:30 I have a business call come through. Doula work allows me to be home with my family most hours of the day, but occasionally requires interrupted bedtime routines. How lucky am I to have a local midwife who trusts and respects me enough to send clients my way!
9:00 my husband has taken over bedtime tonight and I have time to share with you the busiest of days. I’m exhausted and was ready for bed at 9:00 this morning. How lucky am I to have the love and support of someone who wants my business to grow and thrive!
It hasn’t been an easy day. In fact it’s been pretty hectic, loud, and busy. There are days that I would have let the lack of sleep get the better of me, and let the daunting list of things to be done overwhelm me. But today I chose to be thankful. To see the blessing behind each demand on my time. I was given the gift of today and I appreciated every moment of it.
