raising kids

Dear husband,
Remember when we lived in a tiny house with just our two cats? I kind of miss those days.
love, wife
p.s. your house is a wreck and your children are monsters.

I am unspeakably grateful for the beauty and luxury that I live in now. My house is beautiful and we have so much space for us to spread out and play and never feel crowded. But I have to admit, I really miss those days when I could clean the entire house in two hours. Now it takes two hours just to clean the bathrooms.

And absolutely nothing could compare to the joy and fulfillment (or stress levels) that having children has given me. They are beautiful and wonderful and charming and such incredible gifts from God. But the cats sure were easier to take care of.

I love and appreciate what I have now and don't want to sound ungrateful. I'm just stating that I think there was something admirable in the simplicity of our previously lifestyle. But now our lives have grown, become something much more meaningful and fulfilling but certainly more chaotic.

We are having a rough day. It started with a rough night. (children who fought each other all evening and then fought me at bedtime. then not much sleep due to the small child who insists on fetal gymnastics all night.) Morning came too early and with plenty of mischief. Instead of coming directly to my room like she normally does, Butterfly started with helping herself to snacks in the kitchen and made a mess. Then she pounced on me (and Ladybug who appeared in my bed at some point during the night) which resulted in a cranky-because-I-wasn't-ready-to-wake-up-yet Ladybug. We played for awhile...until the girls started dropping tiny toys down the air conditioner vents and while I tried to retrieve those, Butterfly started swinging a bag full of wooden puzzle pieces and hit her sister. During breakfast Ladybug accidentally spilled her bowl of cereal. I sighed, reminded myself not to yell and began cleaning it up. Butterfly watched and apparently felt neglected so she promptly poured hers on the floor as well. (this time I yelled) While she sat on time out, I cleaned up the mess and Ladybug threw her sippy cup against the wall which opened and also spilled all over.

The morning continued with more bickering as I tried to clean the bathrooms and finally declaring a truce as we cuddled for an episode of Sesame Street and made lunch together. So really nothing too dramatic, just a typical toddler chaos.

Something cute to end with: I love carrying Ladybug to her room for a nap because she cuddles into my shoulder and calls "night-night" to her sister. She eagerly and happily climbs into her bed and snuggles down under her blankets and tells me night-night. Then I tuck Butterfly into her bed for a nap and she insists on kissing me and my belly good night.

I love nap time.