a five

I have a lot on my mind today. You'll have to bear with me...

I just listened to my son scream for no reason and every reason in particular... for an hour. Yes, ONE FULL HOUR. I'm not exaggerating. He was mad an he wanted me to know about it. He's teething, he's hungry, he's tired, he wants to be held, he doesn't want to be held, he wants to go outside. It's raining... My daughter is in a lovely stage of bossing and even better, talking back. I actually caught her muttering something under her breath and rolling her eyes at me the other day... SHE'S TWO?!?!?

"I'm hungry... I don't want this... I don't like that..."

A little over an hour later, they are chatting it up with each other over lunch - all fed and full and sweet - without a care in the world. There is no care or concern over the fact that while they've now had breakfast and lunch, I haven't yet eaten a thing (I'm STARVING after a wet 6-mile run earlier today). There is no care or concern over the fact that there are children in our city and all over the world who are sitting outside in the rain this afternoon with no food in their bellies, no beds in which to nap, no stories to read and no one to care for them.

Hold on... more screaming.

When my kiddos go down for their naps in a bit, I will use my "free time" to wash their dishes, fold their laundry and maybe just maybe scarf down a little something and enjoy a few moments of silence before the noise begins again.

I am blessed. I know it. I have a family. I love my kids and I know they love me too. I have friends. I have a home. I got to run on two healthy legs this morning. I get to eat this afternoon. I get to write. I have clothes to wash. I have a washer and a dryer... I could go on and on and on. My blessings abound.

Even still.

At Judi's House (much more on this to follow someday soon), we check in at the beginning of each group. Where are you on a scale of 1 to 10? Yesterday, I was a 9. Today, it's somewhere a little closer to a 5.

This is one day in my life. This is the life of a mom.

I know there are dads and kids and all kinds of people out there with their "days" and their "stuff," but for five minutes, this is not about them. This is about me. This is about you.

I'd like to send a shout-out to all the moms out there. I love you. I appreciate you. Whether I know you or I don't... Whether you are at a 5 or a 10 or a 2 today, I just wanted to say that I see you and I hear you. THANK YOU for doing what you do and being who you are. You are amazing. You are inspiring.

Enjoy your silence. Enjoy your lunch!