My Day Didn't Go As Planned...

I looked at the title for this and realized that it would apply to all the days of my life, but today it didn't go as planned and I'm so glad.

First of all, I went to bed last night at 11pm. This is remarkable. I'm typically up until the wee hours of the morning and then I really struggle the following day. I woke up this morning at 6:30 am and actually felt refreshed. Usually I am in a drunken stupor (caused by lack of sleep, not alcohol, just in case you were wondering). I got the kids off to school, got Lincoln and Micah fed and dressed and then exercised. Then I showered. Then I dressed. I started a load of laundry and payed the bills. Now, here is where my day got off track...in a good way.

At around 11 am I took a good look at my to-do list and decided that all that stuff could wait. I texted my friend and asked her what she was up to. We decided to meet at the park at noon for lunch. I love hanging out with my friends. We chatted and watched the kids play until around 3 pm. Girl time...I love it and NEED it. I was in a good mood. (Adult conversation will do that to a person.)

Then I came home to 2 children bearing gifts for Mother's Day. They were so thoughtful. Hunter made me a book with reasons he loves me that began with the letters M O T H E R. He also drew wonderful pictures. Wynter gave me some bath salt that they made at school as well as a little book full of declarations of her love. I felt happy and energized by their love. (I will share pictures in a future post.)

John went to work (yay! overtime!) and I began making dinner after nagging the kids about their chores. While peeling potatoes, I got a call from my dear friend, Rita, who I went to high school with. I love her so much! She was visiting from CA for a wedding and is staying here in Spanish Fork. She wanted to see me! I haven't seen her in 7 years. We met at the park and visited for nearly 2 hours. It's like time never passes when I talk to her. She is my bosom buddy. I know she genuinely cares about me and I certainly care for her. It was a great visit.

Then, we headed directly to the church for a movie night. This was a last minute decision because my friend that I had lunch with is the ward activity person and was in charge. She was talking about it and I decided that I really wanted to go. We usually have family movie night on Friday's, but it just so happened I didn't have a movie rented, so we decided to make that our movie night. The movies were home made by members of the ward. There were funny skits and music videos. Popcorn was served. My kids loved it and so did I. We have such talented people in our ward and I am so glad I went.

We then hurried home to dinner that was left all day in the crockpot and was yuck. I had left potatoes simmering when I went to the park, so I salvaged them and we had mashed potatoes for dinner at 9 pm. Yum. They were very lumpy, but the kids loved them.

I am exhausted, I am sunburned, I didn't get my to-do list tackled, but I had such a good day. Family and friends are so important to me. I need people. Sometimes I get really cranky and decide that people suck. But, then I get ungrumpified (my new word for the day) and realize that interacting with people and spending time with my family is what rejuvenates me and keeps me going.

So, today was a good day. A day called Friday.

I Am Not Afraid to Admit It...

I am an imperfect mother! Yahoo!!! I am celebrating. I swear, if I read another book, editorial, or article about what I am doing wrong as a mother, I think I'll puke. So, this Mother's Day, I will not hang my head in shame as speakers glorify their mothers. I am not perfect, but I am good enough.

I admit that I let my kids eat fast food! Even Lincoln has had some fries and bits of hamburger. Yum.

I admit that I scream at my kids from time to time. Sometimes they REALLY IRRITATE ME.

I admit that I have nursed a baby in a moving vehicle. If I didn't, we'd take 10 hours to make a 3 hour trip.

I admit that I pull my kids out of school, excuse the absence, and have a day of fun on occassion.

I admit that our house is rated G, but there are days that I swear like a sailor and it moves to PG-13.

I admit that we haven't been having FHE. I plan on getting back to it, eventually.

I admit that I don't force my kids to go to church (as teens). I want them to go, I hope they will go, but they don't have to go.

I admit that I let my kids climb on the Suburban like it's a jungle gym.

I admit that I have days that I don't get Lincoln or Micah out of their pjs.

I admit that I have days when I'm scary and the kids know that they shouldn't touch me with a ten-foot pole.

I admit that I expect my kids to pay for their own college education. Thankfully, I heard Dave Ramsey talk about this on his show yesterday and he agrees with me (or I agree with him). I payed for my education, they can too.

I admit that I haven't given either of my teens a cell phone. Mark MIGHT get one when he is 16. I'm not sure yet.

I admit that I sometimes fantasize about packing up my things and driving away, never to return.

I admit that sometimes being a mother blows.

Shocked? Or maybe you're like me and now you feel better to know that you're not the only one. Either way, I feel much better having gotten that off my chest. Thankfully there are those really great days that remind me that I'm doing alright. I love those days.

These Are So Dang Funny!

Savannah is currently learning about similes, analogies, and metaphors in her english class. Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit their collections of these found in high school essays. These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country. Here are some of last year's winners:

1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
2. She was a colony of e-coli, growing on him like he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
3. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
4. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.
5. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
6. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 pm traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19pm at a speed of 35 mph.
7. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
8. Even in his last years, Grandad's mind was a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
9. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.
10. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.

This gave me a much needed laugh on a horrible day called Monday. Thanks Savannah!