When moms are tired, sick or wiped out there is related increase in what I call Mommy Fails. For the last several weeks I have increased my exercise routine by getting up at 5 am three days a week to go work out with friends. On the off days I do some sort of workout at home or go on a walk/jog in preparation for a race I'm running in June. On top of that all three of my kids have rotated going through a nasty cold (the youngest ending up with a very bad case of the croup). On top of that I'm trying to finish my edits on the book I'm currently writing in order to get it out to my beta readers in February (only a month late).
Yesterday, the fatigue finally hit and I started feeling like I was catching the kids' cold. My husband sent me to bed at 6:30 pm for a "nap" while he took care of the kids. And I slept until 6:45 am this morning. When I got up I started my usual routine--take a shower, grab the kids clothes, etc. I made sure everyone had clothes. They were in my hands, honestly they were. I got Rose dressed, and even got the baby halfway dressed. But when it came time to get Cyprus dressed, everything but his socks and undershirt had completely disappeared. I searched all over for twenty minutes before I realized that I had just picked up all the clothes on the floor from yesterday and put them into the wash -- Cyprus' clothes included. His clothes for the day were in the process of being rewashed. Oy!!!!
Then I realized ten minutes before we had to walk out the door to get Rose to her friend's house, and Cyprus on the bus that it hadn't even occurred to me to make my daughter a lunch. So I ran to the pantry and grabbed food from their 72 hour emergency kit and shoved it into her lunch box and called it good.
Finally, after I got two kids on their way to school I piled Juniper in the car to take him back to the doctor for a second visit because his croup wasn't going away and I really need him to get helpful enough to go back to school this week so I can get my edits done (I'm running out of January). While we were waiting for the doctor to come see us I was twirling Juniper around in circles on the doctor's roller chair. Just moments before the doctor stepped into the room poor Juniper lost his balance and took a dive forehead first into the floor. He has a beautiful rug-rash/goose-egg to show for it just as the doctor opened the door. I just wanted to take a face plant myself.
Oh well. In the end we're all still alive. So I guess in the long run I'm still a winner as a mom, but I really hope I've met my mommy fail limit for the day. Or else I'm just gonna have to go to bed and let my kids fend for themselves. They might be better off.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Sweet Relief
Two of my little ones were hit with a chest cold this weekend and my sweet husband is on the verge of it himself. So this morning he was able to call a wonderful woman to cover for him leading music during Sacrament meeting. Then he offered to stay home with the kids so that I could attend church all by myself. When I started driving to church I started having a panic attack. I tried to convince myself that I was going to be okay, I mean I didn't have to deal with my three kids after all. But still, I was shaky, a bit panicked, and nearly drove home to get an anxiety pill or even to cave and just stay home.
But I still made it to church without turning around. I parked in the back so that I could make a quick getaway after the women's meeting. When I made my way up to the front foyer I saw one of these sweet sisters that I've known since we first moved into the neighborhood over five years ago. She walked up to me, took me by the hand and said, "You don't know just how much I have been thinking about you this last week."
This sweet lady held me and told me how wonderful a job I was doing with my kids and how special I must be to God for him to have sent me three such uniquely special children. Then another sister came up and the first took her by the hand and the second looked at me and said, "I've been thinking so much about you since your testimony last week." And together this two grandmotherly women kept warming my heart with the love and sincere tender thoughts they had for me. Then they offered to watch my kids at any point so that I could have a break to run away for a hot chocolate and a walk. I told them that my kids were in school three days a week in the morning, but that I was grateful for their offer. The second sister said, "I love taking care of special needs children." I was overwhelmed with the kind thoughts and generous hearts of these women
Then I went into the chapel to sit on our normal pew. I figured since I was alone I would scoot to the far end so that I could share it with anyone who needed a seat. Then my deer friend who sits in front of us (her daughters are our babysitters) offered for me to join them. A few moments later an older couple came in behind us and asked if the bench were saved for anyone. I told them we usually sit there, but as I was alone I was glad for them to take the bench. As the woman sat down she looked at me closer and said, "I've been thinking about you....."
I then had a wonderful experience in Sunday School learning much as we were introduced to studying the New Testament again this year. I was so touched and learned some things I didn't know, even though I've studied these scriptures before. Then I went to Relief Society and was again spiritually fed.
When I got home I felt more peace than I've had in months. I gave my husband a huge kiss, and hugged my children a little closer. I put in an after lunch movie for the kids and was holding my sick Rose when the phone rang. It was the first sister from church. "So when can we babysit on Wednesday? How's 8 am - 5 pm sound?"
My jaw dropped. I explained that my kids had school in the morning, but she still offered for her and her friend to come over in the afternoon so I could run away for some me time. My heart is filled to the brim with love and gratitude for this day, for this experience, and for these amazing women that God has sent to me to help when times are rough. Today I am truly blessed.
.
But I still made it to church without turning around. I parked in the back so that I could make a quick getaway after the women's meeting. When I made my way up to the front foyer I saw one of these sweet sisters that I've known since we first moved into the neighborhood over five years ago. She walked up to me, took me by the hand and said, "You don't know just how much I have been thinking about you this last week."
This sweet lady held me and told me how wonderful a job I was doing with my kids and how special I must be to God for him to have sent me three such uniquely special children. Then another sister came up and the first took her by the hand and the second looked at me and said, "I've been thinking so much about you since your testimony last week." And together this two grandmotherly women kept warming my heart with the love and sincere tender thoughts they had for me. Then they offered to watch my kids at any point so that I could have a break to run away for a hot chocolate and a walk. I told them that my kids were in school three days a week in the morning, but that I was grateful for their offer. The second sister said, "I love taking care of special needs children." I was overwhelmed with the kind thoughts and generous hearts of these women
Then I went into the chapel to sit on our normal pew. I figured since I was alone I would scoot to the far end so that I could share it with anyone who needed a seat. Then my deer friend who sits in front of us (her daughters are our babysitters) offered for me to join them. A few moments later an older couple came in behind us and asked if the bench were saved for anyone. I told them we usually sit there, but as I was alone I was glad for them to take the bench. As the woman sat down she looked at me closer and said, "I've been thinking about you....."
I then had a wonderful experience in Sunday School learning much as we were introduced to studying the New Testament again this year. I was so touched and learned some things I didn't know, even though I've studied these scriptures before. Then I went to Relief Society and was again spiritually fed.
When I got home I felt more peace than I've had in months. I gave my husband a huge kiss, and hugged my children a little closer. I put in an after lunch movie for the kids and was holding my sick Rose when the phone rang. It was the first sister from church. "So when can we babysit on Wednesday? How's 8 am - 5 pm sound?"
My jaw dropped. I explained that my kids had school in the morning, but she still offered for her and her friend to come over in the afternoon so I could run away for some me time. My heart is filled to the brim with love and gratitude for this day, for this experience, and for these amazing women that God has sent to me to help when times are rough. Today I am truly blessed.
.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Sunday Batttle/Sunday Humor
My three miracle children make life interesting. One of them has Sensory Processing Disorder. Another is moderate-functioning autistic. The third is severally communication delayed with aggressive behavior. But they are mine and I am grateful for every day spent with them.
Though, I do have to admit, that preparing for church sometimes feels like I'm preparing for battle when I get ready each Sunday. I make sure to take an anxiety pill. I pack a bag filled with coloring books, crayons, dry erase boards, markers, word cards, math cards, quiet folders & puzzles, three different types of snacks, cups of water for everyone, diapers, pull-ups, wipes, changes of clothes, etc.
Today church moved to 9 am with the new year. I've been looking forward to it as church will no longer be during the kids' nap time. I was hoping it would make them less grumpy and regularize their routine better as they go to school at the same time during the week. In many ways it was easier because we were able to get them fed and ready and out the door. The one problem was that they were also more energetic and to explore and run wild.
My wonderful husband leads the music during our church meeting, so he sits up on the stand. When he can, he sneaks off the stand to sit with us (especially on hard days). Today my kids were such a handful I didn't think we were going to even make it past the opening prayer. Even Frank could see how much I was struggling from the stand. As soon as the sacrament portion of the meeting was over Frank ran down to help.
Today, being the first Sunday the congregation has the opportunity to bare their testimonies. I told Frank that I really wanted to bare mine, if he was okay with the kids. He readily agreed. I was the second person to get up and when it was my turn I started to talk about how things had been rough for the last three years and how I am learning that trials can be a blessing. I talked about some of the struggles my kids experience and how they trigger each others sensitivities. And just as I was talking about how they were God's children first and that he would help me to understand them and to help them my Autistic son bolts out of the pew and runs all the way through the back of the church and climbs up on the stage and starts to dance, play and sing. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
I'm just truly grateful for the chance my kids give me to become a better person and a better mother. And I'm grateful for the patience church congregation and fantastic friends who supports and loves us and our quirky family. With no family close by they have stepped in and become our surrogate one. I'm amazed by the kindness, support and love we've received from everyone around us.
Sunday's may still be hard, and even a nightmare sometimes, but I've learned its worth it for me and my family to give our best effort each and every week.
Though, I do have to admit, that preparing for church sometimes feels like I'm preparing for battle when I get ready each Sunday. I make sure to take an anxiety pill. I pack a bag filled with coloring books, crayons, dry erase boards, markers, word cards, math cards, quiet folders & puzzles, three different types of snacks, cups of water for everyone, diapers, pull-ups, wipes, changes of clothes, etc.
Today church moved to 9 am with the new year. I've been looking forward to it as church will no longer be during the kids' nap time. I was hoping it would make them less grumpy and regularize their routine better as they go to school at the same time during the week. In many ways it was easier because we were able to get them fed and ready and out the door. The one problem was that they were also more energetic and to explore and run wild.
My wonderful husband leads the music during our church meeting, so he sits up on the stand. When he can, he sneaks off the stand to sit with us (especially on hard days). Today my kids were such a handful I didn't think we were going to even make it past the opening prayer. Even Frank could see how much I was struggling from the stand. As soon as the sacrament portion of the meeting was over Frank ran down to help.
Today, being the first Sunday the congregation has the opportunity to bare their testimonies. I told Frank that I really wanted to bare mine, if he was okay with the kids. He readily agreed. I was the second person to get up and when it was my turn I started to talk about how things had been rough for the last three years and how I am learning that trials can be a blessing. I talked about some of the struggles my kids experience and how they trigger each others sensitivities. And just as I was talking about how they were God's children first and that he would help me to understand them and to help them my Autistic son bolts out of the pew and runs all the way through the back of the church and climbs up on the stage and starts to dance, play and sing. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
I'm just truly grateful for the chance my kids give me to become a better person and a better mother. And I'm grateful for the patience church congregation and fantastic friends who supports and loves us and our quirky family. With no family close by they have stepped in and become our surrogate one. I'm amazed by the kindness, support and love we've received from everyone around us.
Sunday's may still be hard, and even a nightmare sometimes, but I've learned its worth it for me and my family to give our best effort each and every week.
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