It Ain’t Easy. . .

I don’t typically use the word ‘ain’t’, but it seemed the only appropriate word here.  I’m talking about Motherhood. 

Motherhood ain’t easy.  Parenthood ain’t easy.

It was so lovely today to see the numerous posts running through my Facebook feed and other social media sites addressing Mom’s special day.  Pictures of flowers and handmade gifts for Mom.  Fancy meals out and afternoon naps enjoyed by many Moms who run and run all day long to serve the little ones who came from our wombs.  Sweet words and kind sentiments expressed by passionate Mama’s and thankful Daddy’s were the ‘top stories’ all day long. . . it was lovely.

Care to know what I just did?  (Graphic material ahead–may not be suitable for sensitive readers.)

The girls were in the bathtub playing after I had finished washing them.  I was in the living room cleaning up the mess we had neglected all day long and I hear Chanelle’s voice ring out, Meadow’s pooping!!!  I run into the bathroom to see a shivering Chanelle standing tub side and half covered by a towel and Meadow standing in a pool of water littered with bath toys, a few cups, and, well, a few floaters. 

This was following her spitting lunch on the floor after having placed it on her head, refusing to take 3/4 of her nap, insisting that she be held all day long and if we didn’t she decided that was the perfect time to test the limits of her vocal chords, like I said. . . all day long.  By the time the day neared its end we skipped Chad’s pre-planned Mother’s Day meal of grilled veggies and opted to go out and have frozen yogurt for dinner instead.

Ah, life. 

I laughed at the situation as I was, um, clearing Meadow’s deposits out of the bathtub.  (Okay, maybe it was after I cleaned it out.)  All I could think about is how unpretty it was and yet how real it is. 

This is Motherhood.  It’s not easy.  It’s not pretty.

Oh, but it’s worth it.

I didn’t have any big plans or expectations for Mother’s Day. (Though, cleaning poop out of the tub was not on my ‘I hope’ list).  The only thing I really wanted was for all of us to be together.  And maybe 70 degree temperatures.  We got one, but not the other.

It was chilly, but sunny.

We have had a wild turkey make a daily appearance in our backyard.  (By the way, It really gobble-gobbles.)  After Meadow’s 1/4 nap we suggested to the kids that we go on a “Wild Turkey Hunt”. (read: wild goose chase).  A wild turkey hunt sounds far more exciting than a nature hike on a chilly day.  The kids were pumped.

On and on we went with Chanelle pushing us farther and farther certain that the turkey would be just over there.  We took in the scenery while Charlie and Chanelle bantered back and forth.  Truly, for me this made the perfect Mother’s Day.  Nothing special but us, together, making simple little memories to call our own.

Chanelle sang “over the river and through the woods. . . “

While Chad blasted Justin Timberlake through his phone to drown out the sound of Meadow’s very insistent pleas that she be carried. . .

(She’s very convincing. . . )

There really isn’t a “perfect” moment when you have kids, though.  (Okay, at least for us.)  For about the last half mile or so the kids began to tell us whine that they can’t walk anymore or can you pleeeease carry me or I’m so hungry or I’m so tired.  Until, that is, they saw something that interested them. . .

. . . then they were full-go again.

Yep, parenthood.  It’s not always pretty, but it is so very worth it.  You know why?  Becasue tonight when I laid in bed with the kids before saying our final good-nights I asked them about the best part of their day.  You know what they said? 

They said it was the Turkey Hunt.  And really?  That makes it all worth it.  When I wake up in the morning the bathtub-poop will be long forgotten, but the memories we made walking on a chilly May afternoon will be carried with us for years to come.

. . . and that is worth it all.

Enjoy your Monday, Friends.