Monday, June 29, 2009

If Momma Ain't Happy

I started a post a few days ago. It was a complaining post. I complained about how my house is ALWAYS messy. I complained about how much Tralee loves to color on our walls and furniture (no matter how much we tell her not to and put her in time out for doing so). I complained about not having enough time or energy to keep up with the messy finger prints, poopy diapers, meals, scrubbing, dishes, and dusting. I never finished that post because I didn't have enough time to do it. One of the kids needed me, and so away I went leaving my post half finished, and feeling sorry for myself that I wasn't able to get 'er done.

We went to church yesterday and as always, I hopped to get something out of the experience. It's a little hard to listen to the the speakers when there's a two-year-old constantly putting a pen in your hand and paper in your lap, asking you to draw her various animals. Meanwhile, your husband is asking you where the pacifier is because your infant is starting to fuss. However, in the midst of the madness there was a five-minute lull where Hunter was still, and Tralee was happily coloring on her own. In these five minutes I heard what I needed to.

The speaker -- who I believe is in our stake council -- gave a talk based on one of President Monson's. In the five minutes I was afforded, the speaker said something to the effect of "now this is for all of you young couples, with young kids at home." My ears perked up. He went on to say something like, "Don't let the stresses of everyday life take over your happiness. Don't let the finger prints, smudges, overflowing laundry baskets, dirty dishes, and toys scattered across your home get you down, because someday they'll be gone and you'll really miss them. Someday the house will get cleaned, but for now just enjoy your children. Find joy in the journey. Don't let the messes stress you out, because all too soon they'll be gone." Tears welled in my eyes and an enormous weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I have been super stressed about the mess I call home, and was getting angrier and more bitter about it. Yesterday I let all of the pent up anxiety fall from my shoulders, took a deep breath, and re-focused my energy on where it should be: My family. It's made me a lot less stressed, more loving to my children and husband, and probably more fun to be around.

So, if you happen to drop by, I will forewarn you. There will probably be toys scattered across my living room floor. Crums will lay unswept on my kitchen floor, and laundry will be waiting patiently in a basket to be done. BUT. . .my kids will be happy, because (hopefully) I will be too.

8 comments:

amy said...

you should have seen our condo at times when our kids were little (i swear if child services came, they would have taken those kids away it was so messy). i'm glad that burden is lifted from you, that your kids were calm enough for those few minutes to hear what you so needed to hear. thanks for the coupons...the kids LOVED the cat you drew on the envelope! you're a great mom!! i wish you guys lived closer!

Necha said...

I totally get this! The other day I was reading a post on a blog I follow entitled "The R house" and she had a picture on there of her kids staring out the sliding glass door, and it was dirty with fingerprints. Then she wrote "I waited a long time to have windows this dirty!" It hit me because I am always such a cranky mama when the house is messy, and I need to sit back and enjoy having a messy house full of kids!

Carrie said...

thank you for posting that i of course didnt hear that lesson and I am glad i recieved it from you i needed that today badly thank you so much for sharing

Boom said...

What more can be said? Amen

Love you!

Mom

Nana said...

Messy house, don't worry about it. I call that clean dirt. You can pick the stuff in a few minutes. That means the kids are playing and running around having fun not in bed sick with a fever.
Time passes so fast and they grow up so fast and soon there won't be things to pick up. Just be happy that they are not sick. Keep a smile on your face and let them know you love them and as time passes the floor will be clear. God bless your wonderful family.
Love to all. Nana

Nana said...

There's not much else to be said.

Thanks 4 sharing your thoughts.

dad

Mary Ann Carlile said...

YES! Amen, sister!

Hannah S said...

What a great reminder. thanks!