Things aren't always what they seem

I have big ideas for blog topics all the time. I dream of people actually reading them. They are witty, intelligent, fun. But I can't seem to find the time to get them on paper. I can't seem to find the time to do much other than breathe in and out, change diapers, and act as the local dairy bar for one sweet little 7 week old girl. I haven't even written about her on here yet. I can be awfully critical of myself and what I don't get done in a day. That being said, let me tell you of a day we had recently.

I believe it was a Saturday about 2 weeks ago. (keep in mind the baby girl was only 5 weeks old at the time) Colby was working. It was the first warm weather day of the season. The sun was shining and the park was beckoning. I thought I would brave taking the 3 kids to the park by myself. Now keep in mind that we usually walk to the park. But not having a triple stroller, I didn't feel comfortable letting Laine walk. My street is too busy. So I knew I would have to drive us. Which makes me feel like I'm failing the earth. So that is strike one for my attitude and self esteem.

Strike two came when it took literally 3 hours to get out of the house. Granted we all had to eat breakfast, get dressed, brush our teeth, change our diapers and the list goes on and on. So at the crack of 11:30 we made it to the park. Well by this time it's almost lunch time and guess who has no plans for that? There were other moms there with there perfectly planned picnic lunches complete with blankets to sit on. My boys had their sippie cups full of milk that I'd poured 2 hours before.

Laine asks, "Why do they get to eat at the park?"

My reply, "Cause their mommies are better than me and can plan ahead"

Laine: "oh" and runs off to the slide. I'm guessing he wasn't too put out by that.

We played. We loaded back up at 1:30. I head to McDonald's and get Happy Meals. Something we very rarely do. I'm feeling nice, like I should win the Mommy of the Year award.

The boys won't eat. Then the boys won't nap. I yell. I threaten. I plead. Then I cave. Who wants to nap on such a gorgeous day anyway? So we load back up. And head to the park again.

This is when I encounter strike three. By this time, I'm exhausted. It's about 4:30 pm. My children haven't napped, which means I haven't napped. They haven't really eaten. And neither have I. They were filthy from the earlier trip to the park. I hadn't bathed in 2 days, I'm almost sure of it. I have on what I refer to as my "house uniform". (t-shirt, exercise pants, and pony-tail). No make-up. Not feeling so great about myself. In walks this couple that looked like they should be on the cover of Perfect Family magazine. They have 3 kids also. The kids look like they are dressed for a night at church, not playtime at the park. They are clean, they are well behaved, and they are gorgeous. The man was straight out of GQ. The woman was straight out of Vogue. I'm thinking, "how in the world is she that skinny after giving birth?" (the youngest was around 6 months or so). They were looking so lovingly at each other.

That's when I knew something was up. I looked around for the film crew, but couldn't find one. I mean really....nobody has it that together on a Saturday afternoon after being home all day with 3 kids AND looking all googly eyed at their mate. Give me a break! Someone had to be on drugs or drunk or something.

I couldn't take it anymore so I had to ask....."how old are your kids?"

There was a slight pause, a little hesitation and I figured they'd kidnapped them or they would know the ages of the kids.

She said: "I think the baby is about 6 months old now. They aren't ours. They are our nieces and nephews. We are watching them for the evening"

AHA! AHA! AHA!

I went home feeling much better about myself. Less judgemental of myself. Happy to know that my kids are healthy and feel loved. Happy to know that the super couple would probably be tearing their hair out in a couple of hours. And she surely popped her BC pill later in the evening. Things aren't always what they seem.

I didn't even feel bad for my lack of dinner plans and lovingly served this meal while sitting in front of the tv watching Toy Story for the millionth time.




That would be raisins, cheese, a fruit bar, gold fish and Scoobie fruit snacks. With milk to wash it down. Hey, don't knock it. It is slightly more healthy than what I made myself for dinner after they went to bed:



This is exactly what it seems: yummy, yummy, yummy! Now excuse me while I go wash my hair.

Maternity pictures

A dear friend of mine took these the night before I had Jenna. She is learning photography and hadn't taken pictures of a pregnant woman before. And well since I love pictures so much, I obliged to be her first victim, I mean subject. She did a fabulous job, don't you think? Thanks Teri!