It finally occurred to me that I have a generally irritated/ borderline abusive relationship with Valentine's Day. Mostly because it is A. Lot. Of. Work. Not unlike LOVE itself. Romantic and sweet and affectionate. And ball-busting. (Pictured above: a red, red rose
This job of wife and mother? Hardest thing I've ever done in my life (including math, so that says something). Loving this group of hooligans is an actual act of HARD labor. Messy. Heartbreaking. But all kinds of incredible and amazing. I have little doubt that one day, they will realize that my love is a set of hamsters, vacations at the beach, art projects and a Wii for Christmas....as much as it is vomit clean-up, time-outs, nap times and handwriting practice. (Pictured above: a draw-string bag filled with Oreo truffles, as you all so appropriately coined them; today's date with Little J to Jilly's cupcake bar; my homemade valentine for Mike)
(Pictured above: L's valentine stash; more of Little J's fingerpainting artwork; and oopsie!, another shot of our refrigerator...)
And today, I decided that I would love my family with grace. At one point, i stopped correcting my children for stupid things, I didn't ask them to clean up their messes 1,000,001 times. When I wanted to CURSE the mountain of blankets they unfolded, I popped a few (or 10) sweethearts and...simply refolded them. It took 2 minutes and all of my willpower. There's a time for correction, no doubt. But also a time to just let them be little people without 578 responsibilities every hour.
Today I remembered that it is REALLY hard to love others well. Even with my children, it isn't a natural instinct. And most of the time I forget that loving them well does NOT always mean with gifts and projects and the matching appearance of having my crap together.
Best thing I did for my family today? Bought a pizza at Sam's Club for dinner, instead of cooking something fancy they don't want to eat, and being a mega-B while trying to fix it. Also, the chocolate fondue for dessert wasn't bad either....
Happy Valentine's Day, blogworld. Hope it was a good one.
4 comments:
the last thing i wanted to do when i got home today was drag the 900lb bounce house out of the garage and blow it up.....but the screams and laughs made it all worth it! thanks for your thoughts...I agree.
who is this 80 that comments. he must be some super hot x football player.
great blog about loving as I have ever read.
RJ
Nothing says love like
holding hair back whilst
puking.
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