Portrait of a Mother

Sometimes I wonder what happened to the glowing, pastel-tinted, lullaby-filled picture of motherhood.... somehow finding things like a small lake of urine in my garbage can when I take out the bathroom trash, changes all that.

So does the random ice cream container on the lawn filled with the brown, dried remains of a banana peel...

And the lengths of dental floss stuck eversocarefully to the bathroom mirror with the readily available bright blue toothpaste for adhesive...

And the fact that there is inevitably some different set of dirty socks on the back patio no matter how many times I ask for them to be cleaned up, and from the protests of "they're not mine", I'd swear we had mean-spirited sprites living with us that just make messes to get people in trouble...because no one around here is doing it!

Not to mention the pet snails, yes snails...my daughter brought home and houses in her room...I don't even want to think about where they came from...or have been!

What about the fact that my seven month old can climb up the entire staircase before you can sneeze and that he wants to constantly pull the computer tower on top of himself. He is not an infant and I can't stand it. How does seven months slide by in a blink?


Here's my little Sister and her 7 month old...he grew up too fast too...

And while I sit here in a stupor trying to decide which horrendous mess to tackle first...the mountains of laundry, papers to be gone through, clutter to be dispersed or dishes to be done.... not to mention the photos that need editing, and dinner that needs to be cooked ...multiple children keep hassling me to sign homework papers or answer questions, or help with projects, or I am hassling them to clean up, get out of that, don't eat that, quit squealing, quit jumping, quit throwing, quit hiding, hurry up, don't run, don't stop, stop that, leave him alone, help her, you forgot that, don't wake the baby, speak up, you can't say no and you can't have ice cream.

I wish there were time for more hugs, more stories, more smiles, more listening and more loving... but life is ALWAYS getting in the way. The kids have a ton of homework and it takes the entire afternoon. And then there is chores. I believe kids need regular chores to build character and pull their weight. But with chores, homework and school... 90 % of their day, it seems, is gone. That doesn't even count extra school projects or reports, having friends over or having an extra few hours at the park. I try to take every second I can, but it never seems like nearly enough. And time is always running out.

And really I shouldn't care about the messes, I guess you could say they are just manifestations of a carefree (or shall we say, careless) childhood. One of imagination, fun, games and happiness. So what if a few scattered toys and whatnot lay hither and thither, I suppose they will be grown soon enough and I can sit quietly in my spotless house mourning the loss of their laughter, sweet faces and funny stories.

So...here's to all of you who try desperately to raise kids (or husbands) and maintain some semblance of order.

And for this Mother's Day and in these uncertain, sometimes gloomy times, I wanted to add a little sunshine. Something fun to look forward to. So I am giving away a......

Just Because Session

For some great Mom or Wife who needs a picture of herself...a little reminder of how beautiful she is...a little pick-me-up and more importantly a portrait for generations to cherish.

My Sis snapped this one of me the other day while I was playing and talking with kids and I love it. I am not perfect, my hair is thrown back, hair is blowing in my face and my makeup is not that great...but it's me...Mom!

So for my big GIVEAWAY...leave a comment (with your email if possible... ) and I will randomly draw a name on Mother's Day...the winner will be posted soon after!