It’s Wednesday and it’s 9pm and the last of my two restless children has given into sleep. Finally. Ryan is out of town for work, so friends, the days are very long and let me just say that I’m…well, exhausted. Already. And it’s Wednesday. Half-way. If you are a single parent, I honestly want to kiss your face right now and tell you what a freaking rock star you are. Just saying.
I’m sitting here with my feet up and my computer on my lap and Idol Gives Back on the TV. I haven’t watched Idol even one time this season, but I’m always intrigued and softened and reminded by Idol Gives Back, and so I watch.
I was thinking back on today and when I tried to think about the morning I absolutely could not believe that I was thinking back on the same day I’m living right now. The morning was such a long time ago. It started very early and it went and went and went and so did we. There was a whole lot of fussing and fighting and a whole lot of laughing and chatting. There were fits and tantrums and stories and a walk. There was time at the park and an appointment for me. There were groceries to be gotten, emails to be returned, and phone calls to make. And there are ants in here, so let’s not forget the time it takes to try to rid one’s home of ants.
I even did one load of laundry from start to finish somewhere in there. Oh, and fed the short people, three times. Sort of. Sometimes a turkey dog kind of sort of is all I have in me.
The funny thing is, even with all of that and more, we still had many minutes in which we weren’t sure what to do with ourselves. At one point, we had just played two games of Husker Du, and we were kind of following each other around the house trying to think up what to do next, and then we came up with a new game. It was called JIFOCWITS – Jump In Front Of Camera With Its Timer Set.
OK, it wasn’t called anything. I just made that up.
But it looked like this:
~believe it or not, Asher is in these pictures, behind Miles~
And then I let Miles, my budding photographer, take pictures of anything he wanted to capture that he thought was sweet. Because that’s the assignment for You Capture at I Should Be Folding Laundry this week. He did a great job, even while I was stuck on repeat at his heels, worrying over the camera being dropped, Use both hands-be careful-use both hands-it’s heavy-use both hands-be careful-GOOD JAAAHHB–
SWEET.
And now I’m looking at these pictures and I’m thinking, Wow, motherhood is such a beautiful struggle. All the stuff we have to do can get in the way sometimes. I mean, when you throw the daily grind and all its stuff into anything, it makes it more of a struggle.
So I guess I’m just sitting here with my feet up and my eyes drooping, and I’m left with only one thing to say: I’m really glad there’s so much sweet, so much good wrapped up in the middle of the stuff of life.
{ 39 comments }
Miles did a fantastic job capturing sweet. My son has one of those kid digital cameras and he is taking pictures all the time.
I think that the daily grind stuff can be monotonous, but I'm not the first and definitely not the last to feel that way. I try to suck it up, but man some days I just want to tuck in and sleep for a week. I agree that there is so much good wrapped in the middle. That is why I'm up before the sun almost every morning. Great post! (As usual) :)
How can a day be so long and so short at the same time? That's what I find myself wondering.
Anyhow… Love the game you thought up. We might have to steal that just because it sounds like fun. And what a budding photographer you have on your hands!
You've done it again.
That's all I have to say,
Well, that and I heart you.
Miles has mad skills!
Did he really take those photos? They are awesome!!
Steph
I love his photos!! So sweet. Much sweeter than what happens when my kids get ahold of my camera without my knowledge. Lots of butts and nose picking. We're and erudite group.
And you captured perfectly our days, too. I was thinking last night that the days whoosh by slowly, if such a thing is possible.
Just like with getting sober, there are some days when all there is between me and going nuts is the knowledge of all those other amazing women out there, getting it done, thinking the same thoughts, having those same moments – both good and bad.
Thank you.
-Ellie
You make me laugh, smile, and bring out sunshine. ((hugs)) Just wow.
Steph,
Yes! He really really did. Such a natural :)
You are so born to do this- mothering, photographing, writing.
I love the kiddo's point of view with the camera – always better than mine. But you're correct, a little tough on the nerves.
And single parents, oh yeah, rock.
If you have twins, do you still call yourself a Single Parent?? Gotta get this new vernacular down, ya know… :)
xo, crock
The more I think about it… I don't think any "Single Parent" should be named as such… cuz, really… they're a Double Parent.
true that.
xo again, crock
Miles took those pictures? They are actually pretty good!!! I love the piano pic! And the Yawning T.
oh, YES. to all of this. i think i always appreciate matt, but when he is gone i realize how i don't appreciate him enough. it is so exhausting. you can have the very best of days and it is still literally exhausting. i'm going to pray for you about this. =)
i love how you see life and your honesty. i adore those jumping pictures. i'm always happy i came here to peek in on your world and learn with you.
Good capture this week. I wonder if my camera has a timer….
I've been meaning to join in but I haven't picked up my camera much lately….bettter get on that huh?
Great job, Miles! :D
Great job, I especially like the dog photo's.
Okay. Miles IS a budding photographer!! He's got some serious talent. Those pictures are awesome. I am NOT kidding.
Truly. Great composition. The dog at the sliding glass door and the piano are just like wow.
And I like to see you jumping!! It's making me chuckle…in a good way.
:-)
wow the yawn shot is pretty impressive!
Wonderful thoughts, perfectly said.
I have those days that seem like half a lifetime. I loved how you called motherhood a "beautiful struggle." That is exactly how it is!
I have said many times that I have so much respect for single parents….especially when my kids hit the teenage years!!!
great post! and your little man is quite the photographer!!! great job!
A beautiful struggle indeed!
What a great way to put it, and to think about it. It is a beautiful struggle indeed.
Love this! The collage is great! =)
Miles is a photography genius!!!! Loved those shots…so sweet!
I, too, have been a single mom lately. And, I, too, have a budding photographer. And, I, too, and so exhausted (and so completely in awe of real single moms) that this is the best I can do comment-wise. Tonight's bedtime promises to be 6:30. Rock ON.
If I knew how to use the timer on my camera I would SO play that game!
And all of this? VERY sweet. :)
I honestly think that's one of the biggest blessing of the digital camera — having the ability to look back at something that happened just minutes ago with a fresh perspective. It helps us recognize the sweet in the daily, the gift in the grind.
(Corey is flying back right now from his last business trip for the next few months. My days of pregnant single parent are almost at an end. You will have my PRAYERS, girlfriend. I know.)
That looks like an incredibly fun game, actually, and next time the kids are driving me batshit (like, right now?) I might try it. :)
I've had the kind of days you mention and we only have a cat at this point. I can tell you when anyone goes missing you miss their presence and the things they do. When my husband shattered his heel and was on crutches for 12 weeks, I was overwhelmed by how much I rely on his healthy self. Hug your kids for me, big rocking hug for yourself. You are doing an awesome job as a mom. I admire you very much.
"motherhood is such a beautiful struggle"
Best and most true statement on motherhood ever!
My husband thankfully never has to travel for work… but his days are long. And our days look similar :) I might have to implement your new game….
Lovely, as always!
I love this. And you.
Luke has recently started to get really interested in taking photos, and I love it, but also, OMG DON'T DROP THE $500 CAMERA, KID.
Um, first, you are totally brave to let them use the good camera. I'd be giving them my old beat up digital.
Second, most of my days are like this.
Third, I love the new game you made up JIFOCWITS. Genius!
Fourth, you wrap it up so well…so much sweet, indeed.
Random click…and then this post. What a delicious start to the end of my week.
"through the eyes of a child……."
I love this!
I have always loved the photos my kids have taken. It really is a gift to see the world through their eyes.
I was loving this and smiling and then THE DOG! But wait? That's not some scary random dog about to bite me, it's YOUR DOG, Yawning. OHHHH!
:-) Love ya lady. You're doing a great job doing what you do best.
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