Perspective...

This following post is taken verbatim from a journal entry this evening:

I had a bad motherhood day. I suppose it was a little like a Mother's Day hangover. I've only had two other days of equal motherhood misery. One was when I was full-term pregnant with twins and had to carry my kicking and screaming toddler out of the mall. The second was when I had to carry an equally tantrumming toddler out of the zoo while my mother-in-law was watching. (Thankfully she was full of love and grace over the whole event)

Anyway, today I had five straight hours of screaming babies. Thankfully Molly was more than thankful to be parented by a cadre of Disney videos. But it was so overwhelming to be tag-teamed by two screaming babies. I would just get one happy and when attending to the next screamer, the initial screamer would start back up and I'd be at square one. And to ice the cake, Steve had to work late and it was uncertain when he would be home. Anyone ever had an "out of body" parenting experience? That's when things are so chaotic that you literally detach from your emotion and go on commando autopilot mode in an attempt to survive the experience without snapping. Needless to say, Steve made it home while I had Molly in the tub, one screaming baby in the baby tub, and another screaming baby in their crib. Anyway, we successfully got all the troops asleep and I calmly informed my husband that I needed to leave and have a break to soothe my exposed nerves. So I grabbed my journal and my Bible, hopped in the van, and found myself at Leatherby's Creamery. Now, let me by honest in saying there is nothing on Leatherby's menu that would remotely fit my Weight Watchers plan, so I throw caution to the wind while I enjoy my hot fudge sundae. Can everyone say "emotional eating"? Anyway...

I'm happy to report that as I sit here and write, I've gained perspective. As I watch people mill in and out of the ice cream parlor, I start thinking about personal struggles. I think about my sister-in-law who just found out her new baby probably doesn't have a neurological disorder... thank God! And I think about my sister AND mother AND friend who all face potential blindness due to a variety of issues. And I think about various friends who have children that have faced life threatening diseases. And as I pray for all these people... it brings perspective. Suddenly 5 hours of screaming babies doesn't seem so bad. I think I'm ready to go home now, kiss my husband, and thank God for my family. And I think I'll even bring ice cream home for Steve.

End note... Steve did indeed get a pint of mocha royale. And I came home to him making gourmet meatloaves for our freezer. Now that's a loving husband.