Some days we just have to survive

Today started so smoothly...then, we crashed and burned and finally fizzled out.

I woke up feeling totally ready for the day. I had just battled the first stomach sickness I'd had in years, and was still alive. My parents stayed overnight and I'd slept 14 hours (it's insane that someone can even sleep that long). I was refreshed and recharged. Babies were in a good mood, Luke was in a good mood, I was in a good mood. Nothing could ruin this day.

Luke asked if we could homeschool. Of course, I said yes. 

He wasn't old enough for kindergarten this year and preschool is 45 minutes away - so I have loosely done preschool with him at home for the last year and a half. It's always been "Luke led learning." We only do it when he wants to - and so far he's wanted to a lot. 

We worked on the letter "T." 

After our workbook, we made a Tabernacle. They're gold - so I tried to find gold paint. Do you think I had any? Of course not. I didn't have any paints with a shimmer. I knew what I had to do, and it made my stomach churn. 

I hung my head and walked to the deepest corner of my basement. I opened the forbidden drawer and grabbed it. 

Glitter.

Yuck.

I knew I was going to see this stuff everywhere for the next 14 years, but this tabernacle needed to shine. We painted the outside yellow and I did a quick dusting with glitter. 

Open the box, find a host, lift and see it's Jesus!

We painted the inside with glow-in-the-dark paint that my dad and brother had left at our house this weekend after we painted potatoes and launched them from a potato gun. I was hoping it would glow impressively (it didn't...don't waste your money on that).

Luke drew Jesus, cut out a host, and we put it all together. 

I was able to get over the fact it didn't glow...I'm still not over the fact there's glitter fully exposed and ready to fall off so it can spread throughout my house.

Luke wasn't ready to quit, so we made a card for a relative of mine who is fighting cancer. This was by far his best piece of art - he even mentioned he'd never made something so cool before! 

He drew himself with our goat - Bert.
The real Bert has one horn and a white spot - so does his picture.
His attention to random details always cracks me up. 

This was the last thing that went according to plan today.

I got really gutsy and decided we should try to get a picture for our Christmas card. What else do you do on a beautiful fall day? 

I had all the kids dressed before the babies napped so when they woke up all they'd need to do was eat, then they'd be so happy and smiley. Everything was going to turn out perfectly...because I felt like super mom.

The babies woke up angry. 

Well..they'll like being outside...

We went out and I got them all set up...It was way too bright, the kids were mad at me, and I was irritated. 

The one picture I took.
I knew this wasn't going to turn itself around. 

Didn't they know how cute this was supposed to be? 

Didn't they know I had super high and unrealistic expectations in my head that I wanted them to meet? 

It's November, didn't God know I needed a dang cloud in front of that sun for my picture? I couldn't wait for the golden hour or it would be too cold! 

I knew it was my fault for not reading anyone's cues but my own. 

Luke asked if he could take a picture with my camera. I almost snapped and said no, but I knew it wasn't his fault the photo shoot went so poorly. I told him he could take just one, and I'm so glad I did. I don't have many pictures of me with the kids - I'll treasure this one forever. 

We were all grumbling as we went back to the house and as I was carrying the babies I came up with a million-dollar-idea. I'm going to give it to all of you with the hope that someone follows through, invents it, and sends me a free one.  

Please, someone, invent "Mommy and Me" coats where the baby coats are cotton and the mommy coats are velcro. 

Have you ever held two babies while wearing a slippery winter coat and had to open a door? You always feel like you're going to drop one of them so when you get to the door you have to attempt a hip thrust to throw one in the air, turn the knob, and grab them again before they hit the ground. It's a pain. Someone, please, get me a coat that my baby sticks to.

Finally, we got inside. 

Sophia was screaming...then she took a monster poop. 

Where did that even come from? That pile of poop is bigger than your whole body!

Kingston was losing it - as he cried I caught sight of a third tooth trying to pop up. 

Ok, you have an excuse too. You two are off the hook for complaining about my picture. 

I was holding the angry babies and Luke was acting emotional... quiet and sad. I asked him why he seemed so down. 

"Something feels bad."

"What?"

"My stomach."

Oh no...

I sat the babies down and tried to stay calm. I knew what was coming. 

"Let's see if you can poop."

He sits and tries, nothing really happens. I told him to put on some comfy clothes and that we'll just snuggle. He went in his room and crawled into his bed, which he never does.

Nooooo...

I went in after him, his face was white..."How are you feeling?" 

"Kind of bad."

Luke had thrown up once in his whole life. He didn't even remember it, I barely did. I think God knew I couldn't handle that business. 

"You're probably going to throw up. You'll be ok and it'll be over fast. Can you sit up for Mom?"

I grabbed a bucket of toys, dumped them on the ground, and got into position.

He sat up...and there it came in all its glory. 

Afterwards, he looked at me and said, word for word, "My first throw up...well...now I know how to prepare." I'd have kissed him for being such a champ if the smell of what just happened didn't make me gag. 

I moved him into our bed - Alex was heading out of town and I had two angry babies and one sick boy. I sighed and turned on the TV - we are generally pretty low tech at our house. The one TV we have is on maybe three or four times a month and all we have on it is Prime Video. It broke my heart to have the TV comfort him because my hands were full with the other two. This was the first sickness that I couldn't hold him through. I probably sound like a baby to all you moms with multiple kids who have all been battling their sicknesses without being held, but I babied mine through every sniffle for the last 5 years. 

I was emotional, he was fine. Paw Patrol was here to save the day.

I think the babies knew I wanted them to go to bed as soon as possible, so naturally they resisted. I finally got them down and cuddled with Luke for awhile. I think it made me feel better than it made him feel - I doubt he noticed; Paw Patrol was on a roll.

I realized today that no matter how hard I try to make all day, every day, a great day - some days just won’t be. That’s ok though.

Luke will remember the fun times...and if he forgets he will find a speck of glitter somewhere to remind him.

Besides, the day really didn’t crash and burn until about 3 o’clock. So technically over half of it was  successful, so I’m calling it a win. 

Some days we are going to master parenthood. 

Some days we just have to survive.