on any given day

On any given day, you might find us playing outside, watching the leaves start to fall from the ground.

Laci might have crazy windy hair and a bruise across her forehead.

She hasn't yet learned to drop what she's carrying when she falls,

which means she catches herself with her face.

I love her face.

And I might be behind the camera, as usual,

invisible, but present just the same.

I love her courage.

I love that she's a bit high-maintenance (she probably gets that from me anyway).

I love that the things I love about her

are usually the same things that drive me crazy.

I've been in a bit of a funk lately,

and it is hard to shake sometimes.

Even when I tell myself to think positively,

and even when I pretend to be positive on my blog,

sometimes, I just still feel funky.

I think that's pretty normal.

Especially for a woman,

who,

mother or not,

will generally try to wear too many hats,

please too many people,

and expect far too much of herself.

If you're a woman, I'm sure you can relate.

***

On any given day, I probably won't have time to read a magazine,

but I will have read a dozen different board books several times through,

turning the pages slowly first,

then very quickly,

then one more time, just pointing at each picture.

I will have "moo"-ed, "baa"-ed, and "cluck"-ed,

I will have counted the ladybugs,

and I will have stretched my arms out to answer the request,

"Guess how much I love you."

On any given day, I probably won't have time to drink my coffee before it gets cold,

but I will have prepared at least four different snacks,

only two of which get eaten,

picked up more food from the floor than what made it to her tummy,

and probably made dinner, too.

On any given day, I probably won't have time to clean all the cobwebs

or to scrub my shower,

but I will have done the dishes (by hand)

at least three times.

I will also have wiped a hiney (not my own)

a half dozen times,

wiped a nose (also not my own)

a few dozen more,

and washed at least a load of laundry, or two, or three, or four.

On any given day, I probably won't have time to sew that project I've been wanting to,

but I will have nursed a baby at least three times,

rocked at least an hour,

hugged and kissed a hundred times more.

I will have played with baby dolls, and stuffed animals,

and most importantly, Elmo.

I will have survived/enjoyed another day of this

blessed, hectic, crazy, exhausting, trying, joyous, patience testing

job we call

being a Mom.