Not in the Handbook

"Wow, you have your hands full."

If I had a dollar or even a quarter for how many times I heard that a week, I would have to start paying taxes from the income received.

It's interesting what comments seem perfectly acceptable to people. I know I've innocently dealt out my fair share of obnoxious statements and questions. I use the word innocent because unless someone has been in your current situation, how would they know the words flowing from their lips are being received as completely annoying or  perfectly inappropriate?

So, I forgive them -

and then I have to forgive myself for being so petty.

What I really need to do is wash away the responses that pop into my brain but luckily don't project forth out of my mouth.

I think I may start carrying around beautiful homemade badges in my purse that state -I was OBSERVANT today - and hand them right on over to the gracious commenter.

Why is it okay to comment about something so personal as someones children? Pregnancy? Marriage?

(I mean, tell me the good stuff like - my children are fricken adorable and my spouse and I are the cutest couple alive :), but delete the other tacky uncomfortable stuff.)

Weird. People are weird.

Why not tell me  -

"Wow, you have really bad dandruff."

At least there's an easy cure for that.

But you would never dream of uttering those words because it's rude, and you probably can already decipher that I look at my head everyday - and it is rather obvious to me that I suffer from a dry scalp.

-Strangers in the grocery store,

I know I have my hands full. Guess what, they're going to be fuller around May 19th - can you believe it? :) -

I am going to have so many badges to make.

Yes, I am the mother of Spirited Children. 

Especially spirited toddlers. I used to have those thoughts, "Why doesn't that mother control her child?" or "All that child needs is a good spanking." 

Silly me.

Little C was a pretty mellow baby/toddler and I felt like I had things down splendidly in the mothering department and then I had #2 and #3. Trust me, my mothering didn't change a bit... these newer little humans who came into my home were born with a vigor and an intensity for life that leaves a mother exhausted and cursing the authors of most parenting books for having no idea what they are talking about.

I love my little boys.

They are zestful, opinionated, assertive, compelling, and energetic - aka:  loud, argumentative, stubborn, impatient, and busy  -

but, so am I.

They are also sweethearts. They give the best kisses and hugs and always say please and thank you. They love their family fiercely, which is more important to me than a little tantrum at a store or a meal they've refused to eat. They know how to pray and they know their Heavenly Father loves them.

What could be more perfect than that?

Here's our little toothpaste bandit...

he can't seem to keep his chubby perfect fingers out of that drawer.

One evening, I had already fed my children, The Beloved was working late, and I told the kids to play downstairs. I was in the process of eating my dinner alone. I just needed some quiet time to not think, not be the boss, and enjoy my meal. Well, Little C and Lou could not comprehend my desire to be without their company. I gave them plenty of warnings to go downstairs and give me a few moments to finish my dinner... but they would not listen.

I finally threatened them with, "If you come back upstairs again I will throw you in the shower with your clothes on."

For some reason they didn't believe me :).

Following through can be exhausting, but usually I am quite dependable.

I don't really think the shower method could be considered a form of punishment in our home.

We all laughed so hard - it felt like it was planned fun.

I needed a little fun that evening.

Sure, having spirited children can leave me feeling like -dare I say - I have my hands full.

But it also makes life sweet and supplies me with such rich precious memories -

It's worth it.