My mom calls it the "witching hour" - that time between the end of nap and when daddy gets home from work. Without fail, every one of my children decides to be their crabbiest, whiniest, naughtiest selves all while I am trying desperately to make dinner.
Last night, I thought it would be a great idea to include the big kids in dinner prep. I pulled out all the ingredients we needed to make this and this for our family dinner...but before long I was pulling out my hair wondering why I thought a 7 month old, 3 year old, and 4 year old would be able to sit still long enough to make anything more complicated than macaroni and cheese.
I should have just made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and called it good.
Because those pinterest perfect meals? They can't possibly be made by a stay at home mom of three non-yet school-age kids.
No, those pins would show the 7 month old crying big crocodile tears hanging onto mommy's leg for dear life while the three and four year old are hovering over the open container of flour with hands aimed at grabbing a big handful while mommy stands with hands thrown up in surrender looking at the clock wondering why daddy isn't home yet.
Yeah, THAT is real life, people.
And, of course, when daddy finally did walk in the door, he smiled and said, "what's for dinner?", completely oblivious to the chaos taking over our kitchen.
By the time we finally sat down to dinner, all this mommy wanted to do was hide in the quiet of her bedroom and eat dinner alone. But, instead, I took a deep breath, bowed my head, and listened to my four year old thank God for our food, for mommy, and for being able to help mommy make dinner.
I smiled and breathed my own thanks for these three little ones I've been blessed with and for the reminder that the time and attention I give to them even in the chaos is well worth it. I remember that I am not alone on this journey and lift up my eyes to the hills where my help comes from, awestruck that the God who spoke such a vast and detailed universe into existence cares about the little details of my day to day life.
Then, I smiled as I listened to the conversation around the table, our table, satisfied not just in the food on my plate, but in the gifts of grace I am given every moment of every day.
Linking up with Crystal for her (new!) weekly link up, where we share the stories behind those edited, proof-read, Pinterest-perfect photos.
