A Day in the Life

Today I am in need of an easy button.
I don't do well with messes.
Those reading this here blog post know this about me.
Messes tend to make me feel anxious.
So today as I look around me I am feeling overwhelmed to say the least.

This is at the foot of the stairwell inside our front entry looking into the playroom.
The kids made a "train" which is not to be moved or altered by anyone.
So all afternoon I have been stepping over said train making my hundred trips up and down the stairs with laundry, etc.
Gym membership - who needs one?!
I have a built in stair master.

This shot is directly inside the playroom doors.
Please take note of Dawson's clothing on the floor.
He is in the stage where they land wherever he chooses to take them off.

This my friends is the kitchen island covered in 3 separate piles.
Pile one - clothing to be tagged for the upcoming kids consignment sale (um, I bit off more than I can chew on this one - it has consumed me hence the MESSY house)
Pile two - clean clothes to be put away
Pile three - clothing requiring stain removal and then washing
That there crock pot in the back ground is providing an aweful pleasant aroma which is one good thing I have going for me today - roast with the fixings!

This is what has become of my dryer - a catch all.
Coats, purse, return items, coupons for my next trip out, my nasty cleaning cloth (sorry about that one!) I clear it off only to have it look like this again within a day or two.

And this, well ... doesn't every one's kids find it more fun to have EVERY blanket and pillow known to man kind spread across the family room? They fondly refer to it as snow and spend an endless amount of time using their imaginations coming up with ways to entertain themselves.
The pooch on the couch is living the good life. She is snug, resting her weary eyes & not having a worry in the world. Ah, to be in her place right now :)
All this to say I really am feeling blessed beyond measure today. My kids are content, my house may be a wreck, but it is beautiful in my eyes. Some days I take for granted the fact that I am allowed to stay home with my two mess making monsters. It is days like today that I throw my hands up and say "does it (the mess) really matter?" There is always tomorrow to pick it up.
For today we shall play!

Indelible Art

I just picked up (and once I did, I found it hard to put back down) the book My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. If you haven't read this book or seen the major motion movie yet I strongly suggest you do. It was an easy, fabulous, somewhat gut wrenching read. There were several statements the author made in the book which I wish I would have dog tagged or written down to reference back on but I didn't. The ONE that did stand out which resonated with me was the following:
Sara (the mom in the book) was reminiscing about her "previous life" working in corporate America prior to having children and then went on to say "that was before I understood that the smile of a child is a tattoo: indelible art."
I struggled with the decision to quite a job I loved - really loved - and found great satisfaction in to stay home with my children. I had such questions as "where will I receive the same fulfillment in knowing I am making a difference in someones life, do I have the patience to be with my kids full time, will I ever be provided the opportunity to return to the work force and hold a position of such great regard as I do now, can we make it financially, will be able to maintain our current lifestyle or find a new level of comfort, will I find satisfaction in my new "work role", and so forth. Well, the past two years have answered most of those questions and leave me wondering why back then I tried to be the one to be in control. I have been provided the opportunity to gain and nurture some amazing new friendships as well as build on previous ones. I DON'T have the patience required to be the best mom I have the potential to be however I am confident that I am an amazing mommy and am really working toward being more quiet, still, patient with my kids. I indeed find satisfaction in my role as a SAHM even in times of toddler tantrums, toilet training, mundane meal planning, the endless game of pick up & cleaning, etc. Will I return to the work force doing something I love and in a position of such respect? That is unknown, but for now I will relish in the job set before me. A friend once affirmed my first question about making a difference in anothers life by assuring me I AM making a difference in anothers life - the most important two little people in my life. And for that I am grateful!
The smiles of my children are like a tattoo (the only form I will ever sport!).
I will wear them like indelible art.