What did I do today?

 My husband came home today and saw me sitting on the couch, toddler on
one knee, and baby nursing on the opposite breast.  I was trying to turn
the pages of a book with the hand not attached to the infant, while
listening for the sound of the stove buzzer, which would indicate  that
tonight's pork chops were at the stage between "well-done"
and"the dog gets tonight's entree."

My husband looked at me innocently, and asked  "So, did you do anything
today?" It's a good thing that most of my appendages were otherwise
engaged, as I was unable to
jump up and throttle him to death.  This was probably for the best, as I
assume that asking a stupid question is not grounds for murder in this
country. Let me back up a
bit, and explain what led me to this point in my life.

I was not always bordering on the brink of insanity.  On the contrary, a
mere four years ago, I had a good job, steady income, and a vehicle that
could NOT seat a professional sports team, and me, comfortably. I watched
television shows that were not hosted by
singing puppets.  I went to bed later than nine o'clock at night. I
preferred sex to sleeping in.  I laughed at those people who drove
halfway across the country hauling a tent trailer, three screaming kids,
a drooling dog, and called it a holiday.
 
Now I have become one of them! What happened?  The stick turned blue.  I
have traded in my Victoria's Secrets lingerie for cotton briefs and a
firm support-nursing bra.  Good-bye, Garth Brooks. Hello, Sharon, Lois
and Bram.

My idea of privacy is getting the use the bathroom without a two-year old
banging on the door, and the baby spinning the toilet paper roll from my
lap.  And I finally understand that the term "Stay-At-Home Mom" does not
refer to a parent, who no longer works outside the house, but rather to
one who never seems to get out the front door.

So here I sit, children in hand, wondering how to answer my beloved
husband.  DID I DO ANYTHING TODAY? Well, I think I did, although not much
seems to have gotten
accomplished.  I shared breakfast in bed with a handsome young man.  Of
course, the breakfast consisted of a bowl of porridge and leftover cookie
crumbs found between the
sheets. The handsome young man is about thirty-four inches tall and only
gets really excited at the sight of purple dinosaurs, toy trucks and
French Fries.
I got to take a relaxing stroll in the woods. Of course, I was on the
lookout for frogs and lizards, and had to stop and smell the dandelions
along the way. I successfully washed one load of laundry, moved the load
that was in the washer into the dryer, and the dryer load into the
basket. The load that was in the basket is now spread out on the bed,
awaiting my bedtime decision to actually put the clothes away or merely
move them to the top of the dresser.  I read two or  three classics.  Of
course, Dickens and Shakespeare cannot take credit for these works, as we
 have moved on to the works of Seuss and Munsch. I don't think I will be
making any trips to the Adult Section of my local library anytime soon.
 
In between, I dusted, wiped, organized and rearranged.  I kissed away the
owies and washed away the tears.  I scolded, praised, hugged, and tested
my patience, all before
noon.  DID I DO ANYTHING TODAY?  You  betcha!

I will now understand what people mean when they say that parenthood is
the hardest job they will ever have.  In my LBD (life before diapers)I
was able to teach young minds
how to divide fractions and write complex sentences, but I am unable to
teach a strong
willed two-year-old how to use the toilet. I was once able to navigate
urban streets  while talking on the car phone and looking for a decent
radio station, but now I can't
get the wheels on my stroller to all go in the same direction. I've
graduated from university, written newspaper articles, and won awards,
but can't figure out how to get carrot stains out of the carpet.  I used
to debate with my friends about politics, but now we discuss the merits
of cloth versus disposables. And when did I stop talking in
sentences that had more than five words.

So, in response to my husband's inquiry, yes, I did do something today.
In fact, I am one step closer to one of life's greatest accomplishments.
No, I did not cure AIDS or
forge World Peace, but I did hold a miracle in my arms, two in fact.  My
children are my
great accomplishment, and the opportunity to raise them is my greatest
challenge.  I don't know if my children will grow up to be great leaders
or world-class brain surgeons.  Frankly, I don't care, as long as they
grow up to be happy and fulfilled.  They
are my greatest joys, even though I sometimes cry myself to sleep at
night in frustration.

The point is, that today I got to watch my children take another step on
the great journey  of Life, and I even got to point out some of the sites
along the way. As challenging as
parenthood is, it is also equally rewarding, because we are using all our
wisdom, our talent and skills to help forge a new person.

It is this person (these people), who in turn, will use their gifts to
create our future. So every nursery rhyme I recite, every swing I push,
every little hand I hold is SOMETHING!  And I did it today. 

If you enjoyed, please pass it along to another mom whom you think needs
to hear how valuable our work REALLY is! Have a Good Day!

Author Unknown