August 8, 2011
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~On A Saturday~
It was the middle of the day. Saturday. Brad was going one direction, I was going another, and the kids were everywhere in between. I was surrounded in my usual controlled chaos.
Despite constant motion, other than getting my bed made, everything seemed undone.
I was that chicken with her head cut off. Running around frantically, trying to get ahead so that I could start this first school week in perfect peace.
You know, peace? That mirage that looms in the distance.
If I can just get to that, and get that other thing done, and iron that dress, and get that meal prepared, and clean that thing, get all those school things done, oh and put on my happy face, all while carrying my precious sick baby on my hip. Then. Then the sun will rise on Monday morning, angels will sing, birds will chirp, I will float out of bed in my house coat and prepare a lovely breakfast for my family of 6 before we have a blissful day of school.
Anyway. Back to Saturday. My parents were on the way back home from a trip to the mountains. I knew they were coming but still. Brad was sweetly washing my car for me and there I sat. In the middle of the den, fresh off the phone dealing with an incompetent uniform company. My laundry basket was full, as usual, the things that had managed to get folded half covered the sofa, the rest were piled a mile high in the basket and on my chair. My three crates of half organized school books, papers, binders, and assignments for three children, covered the den floor. I was in the middle of telling somebody to do something and in walk my parents. Mom walks over, gives me a quick hug, and starts folding.
I just looked at her and asked,
“Will I ever not be drowning?”
“Yes.” She laughed. “When you’re old.”
I proceeded to dump all my self doubt and insecurities about what I’m doing and how it sucks the ever lovin’ life out of me and I started to say,
“I’m just…..
“investing.” She finished my sentence. “You’re investing.”
Trust me, I was thinking more, “going crazy” but she said, “investing in your children.”
in·vest v. in·vest·ed, in·vest·ing, in·vestsv.tr.2.b. To devote morally or psychologically, as to a purpose; commit:Yes. I am investing. Have no idea what the return will be but I sure believe in the product.
Meanwhile, Daddy quietly turned my vacuum over, pulled it a part, and fixed it. He knew it hadn’t been working right, and I hadn’t taken the time to get it repaired. He then took 10 minutes, straightened and blew out my garage. I love him.
Could I be any more blessed? Don’t think so.
I got a clean Suburban, a repaired vacuum, a little less laundry to fold, and a whole lot of love from people who support and value my “praise-less” occupation. All on a Saturday.
I’m so thankful.
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Well, It’s now Wednesday night, my week has been a blur. Good. But still a blur.
I got my hair did today.
An hour in the salon chair was nice, I guess. I could have my hair washed all day long, but other than than, I don’t love it. Maybe if I had earphones in, I would love it. But that’s rude, right?Anyhoo, I love my new do. It’s a little darker and I have a little side bang thing. The last time I had it cut was JANUARY. Awful, I know.
My kids have uniforms and I l.o.v.e. it! It makes the mornings amazingly simple!
Happy School Starting!
~stacey
Comments (5)
PS…Must see pics of new hair very soon! Congratulations on surviving this week!
your mother is beyond precious. and she’s right … but sometimes it takes that other {ahem, more wiser} person to point out what we already know
those gals up there ^^^ already said what i was thinking. i’d love to see pics of your new look! and…once again. i just love your mom and dad. and YOU.
i sososo wish that we had uniforms. our school starts the 30th. and my jacob will be starting K *sob* so this year will be unlike any other year EVER.
happy monday with lots of love to you and those darling kiddos!
Awww so wonderful mamas and daddys are even when we’re all grown up. Great pictures at the end.
Investing. That was a very wise thing your mother said. I’m glad she said it, too, because it spoke to me where I needed it as well. I work, hard, four days a week, spend some time trying to bring my 39 year old self back into some semblance of what a body should look like (almost 2 years now I’ve been at it and it’s finally beginning to really pay off, thank God. I was worried about the medical issues that come with age and 70 extra pounds), and wonder what is the final product. It seems like the kids get fed, the rent gets paid, I spend some time with my wife and swim or play games a little with the kids, explode some about the kids lack of initiative at doing the simple things that would make a house full of eight people look like a decent place to live with just a little effort from everyone, but monumental effort if it’s just the wife and I, and then I’m exhausted and the week’s gone, and I wonder if I’ve made any contribution to the world or if I’m just spinning my little hamster wheel. Your mother’s words bring hope.