I woke at 4 am, due to a 5-year-old boy who thought it was time to get up. The reason he was confused was because he was sent to bed an hour early for an attitude problem he had yesterday. Even with the early bedtime, this awakening was quite premature.
I sent him back to bed with a hug and kiss. He fell asleep. I did not.
I got up and did what a lot of mothers do when they can’t sleep. I caught up on e-mail and Facebook. I cleaned my kitchen. I picked up toys I was too tired to deal with last night. I enjoyed the peace and quiet almost as much as I would’ve enjoyed the sleep. (Notice: I did say almost.)
I started thinking about how my house cannot stay clean. As soon as one part of our house gets picked up and cleaned up, the next part is already dirty. Such is life with kids.
I contemplated what my life would be without them.
I’d have a lot more money, time and (ahem) sleep. I’d go on vacations with my husband, and out to dinner A LOT. I’d enjoy watching MY TV shows and music whenever I wanted to. I could take a shower without interruption. I could get up a heck of a lot later on working mornings and not have to plan anyone’s day but mine.
But my house would be too quiet. I would laugh less. I wouldn’t think a trip to the Dairy Queen was an adventure–just a mere satisfying of my sweet tooth. I wouldn’t know the feeling of seeing the love I have for Jason reflected in the eyes of someone else. I wouldn’t know the highs of seeing growth, change and success measured in sitting, crawling and walking. I wouldn’t know the joy of having a little boy tell you that he loves Jesus and wants to go to heaven. I couldn’t understand looking at a little girl and seeing so much of myself that I know what she’s gonna do before she does it.
I may never have a truly clean house, have all the laundry done, have my groceries bought before we run out of anything, or have perfectly square meals made everyday. Yeah, that’s not EVER going to happen.
But I know love, joy and happiness that only parents can truly understand.
Thank God for all of the above.
You have beautiful children, children are gift an a joy to have around! I don’t have kids myself but I love children and would love to have some in the future! I think I will surround myself with children with the type of work I am called to do which is children book writing and illustrating! I hope you continue to enjoy them! Please visit my blog!
You were worth it, and so are they!
I feel just the same way! My house is always cluttered, the walls are strewn with artwork of some form or another (Bennett is into contemporary art, like a broken McDonald’s cup lid is taped to my living room wall!), I am always last to eat and always planning other’s outifits, food, and schedules, but I would have it no other way! We are blessed indeed