“I don’t suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it,”
was Edgar Allen Poe describing my sentiments exactly.
So this is how my morning started a few days ago: I sent
Michael off to the bathroom, and he came barreling back at full speed with a
texas-sized grin on his face. Using the potty is a really big deal You’ve got to be kidding me!* I know he never washes his hands
without me reminding him a dozen times, so it couldn’t be clean, soapy water
all over my lips. This is the conversation that followed:
when you’re three.
I tried to give him a kiss, but he was already running off and all I could grab
was his hand. I planted one right on his arm only to find out it was dripping
wet. *
Me: Gross! Michael, why is your arm wet?
Michael: Because my toothbrush was wet!
Me: (Huge sigh of relief) Oh! Thank goodness. Your
toothbrush.
Michael: Yeah, I dropped my toothbrush in the toilet.
Me: (NOOOOOOO!!!!)
Just another manic Monday. Did I imagine this is where I
would be at 27 years old? Scrubbing toilet water off my face? Absolutely not.
My life is complete chaos. And I love it. Okay, I don’t always love when they
decide to simultaneously melt down in the middle of aisle 3 as I’m pushing a
cart full of groceries. But I DO try to find the beauty in that chaos. Like, if
I just keep my chin up and soldier on, I know I can make it to aisle 4…and
that’s where the wine is!
A lot of people think I’m crazy when they hear I’ve got
(almost) four kids, and my response to them: Yes, I am. Anyone who decides to
have kids—whether it be 1 or 10—has to be a little bit nuts, don’t you think?
Giving up the life you’re used to so you can cater to someone else’s needs 24/7
doesn’t seem like a totally rational decision. I used to be completely sane (I think!). Now I find myself in heated
debates with my 2-year old over which Paw
Patrol pup is the coolest. He always wins, by the way. Have you ever tried
arguing with a toddler? It’s kind of of like trying to reason with a brick
wall…if that brick wall could grunt, throw things, and repeatedly use the word
“poopy” while spitting milk bubbles out of his nose. But, gosh it’s fun!
Yes, I know every word to every word to Frozen; yes, I stay in most Friday and Saturday nights playing Pretty Pretty Princess or Poopy Heads (that’s a real game!); yes,
I spend more money on diapers than designer clothes; So yes, I may be
completely crazy to have all these kids, but the joy this constant state of
chaos brings me is indescribable and unparalleled.
I often think that the days drag on and on and I find myself
eagerly anticipating 8 o’clock so I can throw them in their beds and enjoy some
much-needed time with my long-lost husband. Then a year flies by and I’m left
wondering where the time went. A great friend of mine recently reminded me how
important it is to stop and enjoy the mundane moments, to appreciate the beauty
in the chaos. Tonight after dinner, I sat holding the boys on my lap with
Charli breathing down my neck as we crowded around my computer watching the “Alphabutt” song. Yes,
that’s a real thing and is exactly what is sounds like. (Click the link if
you’re looking to channel your inner 3-year old!) Even though we replayed that
dumb song 57 times, hearing their belly laughs never gets old. And when I have
to go back into their rooms time and time again because they want more bedtime
kisses…that never gets old either. Before I know it, I’ll be the one begging for
those kisses, so I want to soak it all up now—preferably without the toilet
water.
