Wake up at 6:25 a.m. to my son telling me he’s “scared,” AKA ready to get up. Nudge his daddy to spring into action.
Alarm goes off at 6:45. Go for a run. Realize I don’t feel very good. Walk home.
Make toast for the kids and me. Appreciate that Annabeth can feed herself.
Have “quiet” time. Hide in dining room for a few minutes to pray.
Kiss Curtis goodbye. Thankful that Jackson doesn’t cry today.
Repeatedly send Jackson in the backyard to play. He’s operating at a 10 out of 10.
Put Annabeth down for a nap. Try to keep the house quiet.
Realize I either forgot to moderate blog comments yesterday or a bunch just suddenly appeared in the moderating queue. Yikes.
Comments from last summer and fall keep showing back up. Weird.
Annabeth wakes up happy.
Get the urge for Papa John’s pizza. Order the $10 large, any toppings pizza.
Twenty minutes later it shows up.
Drop the pizza and watch Canadian bacon and pineapple spill all over the entry way and splatter on the delivery man.
Despite my protests, he generously leaves to get us another one.
Sit on the couch and wonder if that really happened. Embarrassed. Frustrated.
Yell at Jackson for climbing on me. Receive imaginary bad mom of the day award. Apologize to my boy.
New pizza arrives. Give a good tip.
Jackson says, “I want to share with my pizza. With Annabeth. That’s what Jesus likes.”
Wonder if that’s a ploy not to have to eat. He eats all his pizza. He meant it. Sweet boy.
Encourage Annabeth to walk toward Jackson. She claps her hands, calls him “Dat dat” for the first time, and takes a few steps toward her brother.
Heart is happy.
Kids get a bath. In the chaos afterward, Annabeth dumps out the wipes. Towel falls into the water. Jackson sucks toothpaste out of tube.
Annabeth takes 9 steps toward her brother. A new record.
She hits her mouth on her rocking chair. Cries.
Naptime #2.
Try to read Where the Wild Things Are to Jackson before his rest time. He says it’s too long. Not gonna argue with that. Pick a shorter book.
Bribe him with candy if he’ll sleep today. Probably should be ashamed but I’m desperate for the stillness.
Quiet now.
And all is well in the Jones home.
Kelly S. 
Bless your heart! I have been there. I wish I could tell you it gets better when they go to school, but I made 4 trips to school today 🙂 And one trip required taking toddler out of bed! "Stay at home mom" is an oxymoron. LOL
can totally relate…got seven kiddos here ranging from 13-4 months-our days are nuts, usually. Remember to always tap into the "newness" of every day-that is one I need to constantly remind myself of. thanks for sharing. what a nice pizza delivery guy!
Glad my kid is not the only one that sucks toothpaste out of the tube. We have to put all the toothpaste up high in the house so the 2 year old won't suck them dry…gross.
Jackson sucking toothpaste from the tube. That made me laugh out loud. Just precious!
The quietest day at my house was the day after I left my son at college to start his freshman year. It comes very quickly!
You've got the hardest job in the whole world, but it sure does sound like the work and sacrifice are paying off. Your little ones are lovely, and so are you.
Blessings,
Gretchen
Thousand Oaks, CA
Whew I'm exhausted reading that. but that pizza does sound yummy! YAY Annabelle on her walking and talking. How exciting. And Jackson saying that just touched my heart. It's wonderful to see you hard work pay off.
what a morning! glad all is well in the jones home. thank you for posting that and making me smile. =)
oh yah, the life in a day of a true Momma! Thanks for sharing, when we do…..it makes things in this household not look quite so 'weird' but that someone else knows what I am dealing with too. Thanks for the sanity check.ha!
Thank you for helping me remember "I'm not the only one!" The Lord has been telling me recently to enjoy this season & that He will give me the strength to get through it! Blessings!
Dear Amanda,
Your precious story brought back so many memories. I remember many years ago when I was the young Mother of 4 children under the age of 5 and I was invited out to attend a MOPS gathering at Church. I was thrilled and prepared all week to go. What would I wear? How should I fix my hair? I never went anywhere! Well the awaited day came and I put each of my children in the Daycare room and proceeded to the Moms meeting. I found an empty seat and was handed a paper to fill out. It had 10 questions on it like what is your favorite color? favorite food? I stared at that paper and after 15 minutes it was still blank! I couldn't answer a single question!
Three more babies came and 17 years have passed since that moment. I can tell you that those were the most precious times when the world seemed small..the needs were constant…and love happened..it is the time when the bonds are cemented and the rest of the world seems far away…hold these moments close..it is where love happens..
Well as long as it's the day for imaginary awards then I hereby deem you the Most Darling Mom of the Day. Felt like I was reading a page out of my own journal in your post today — my one year old thinks sucking toothpaste out of the tube is almost as fun as standing on top of the dining room table 🙂
Love that you apologized to Jackson. Just the other day my four year old told her daddy when he got home "Mommy shouted her voice a little at me but it was an accident and she's sorry." Nice to know we always get a "do-over" the next day in this world of raising little peeps.
May tomorrow start a little later with a great run, a quiet house with quiet time, a happy heart, and sweet sweet moments with your lambs.
You're doing beautifully. Praying for you!
Amanda,
I admire your ambition and your courage to be honest! It provokes us to legitimate transparency.
I pray you hear The Father saying well done, in your weakness you will see my strength. Just ask me for it, I want to partner with you in ways you have never imagined.
I pray this doesn't come across like I think you don't already know this. Just to encourage you in truth you already know.
Go for it! You are doing a fabulous job! Just look at their faces full of love and security!
Jina
O Amanda girl I cried for ya when I envisioned the pizza falling and splattering. I have had those moments. Praying God give you the endurance to get through the rest of the day. Thank you for sharing your mom journey with us. Mine are about to drive me bonkers.
I definitely loved every single second of that post! 😉
Could totally steal this post and use it as my own! Thanks for making mommyhood of toddlers less lonely. Didn't drop a pizza today but we are going to eat at Steak and Shake for supper because our kitchen is being completely gutted. I'm possitive something will get spilled, dumped or dropped.
It is worth it, I am told….
Thank you Amanda for reminding me that I am not alone in this motherhood thing! Great smiles!
OH AManda. I laughed out loud……….not at you but with you. Being a mom is tough work. And I only have one boy………….but he's enough personality for two! Good for you getting that quick prayer in. and the run……..impressed 🙂
Chrystal
Motherhood's not for sissies! I bet your afternoon is gonna be much better! Sorry 'bout the pizza but your delivery guys a hero now, huh?
Have a 'Calgon, take me away' evening and enjoy!!!
Blessings
Amanda – Hang in there! I have awarded myself that same imaginary bad mom award more than once. God always provides just the right amount of strength and patience to make it through til a) reinforcements get home from their work, or b) you can get a Diet Coke 😉
i love you.
Bless you! I have just one 2 year old yet I can totally simpathize with you here… Thanks for sharing in being real… It is so nice when we can go back over days like that and laugh… at the time certainly NOT but later =)
Amanda –
Sweet memories for you and a blast from the not so distant past for me. Thanks for sharing – hang in there. My boy is 9 now and my girl is 7. They grow sooo blasted fast and before you know it they are dealing with their peers in ways you can't imagine them having to. I am glad you got some quite time to sit and not have to think.
Enjoy your day and rejoice! Remember – bedtime is just a few hours away (wink,wink)
Thanks again for a sweet blast from the past.
Blessings
Kelli in Colorado
thanks for sharing.
seriously
oh the days of young motherhood!
Your post brought back a flood of memories when I was parenting my daughter and son, who are now 18 and 16. Hang in there all you young moms – and don't let guilt get you down. Just love your children and make the most of each day – taking it as it comes your way. I'm not a perfect mom and my children are not perfect either – but they've grown into two of the most awesome young people I know who love God and others, and have shown themselves to be responsible and caring individuals. All the work of parenting (which includes mistakes along the way) does pay off.
Blessings all you young moms!
What at day. I remember days like that! Bless you and bless your sweet babies today! Just incase noone else says so – you are not a bad mama!!
Bless you from Eufaula, AL
sounds all too familiar on the whole. hang in there!
blessings,
shana
BTW, you will never deserve the bad mom award! No way–I just love the way you share.
Somehow the first part of my post was deleted (my lack of techno knowledge!) It should've said "As my MIL used to say.."Motherhood ain't for sissies". I always felt that being a mom is the hardest job but also the most rewarding!
I remember when my 48 and 46 yo boys were that age. Our strength comes from Him.
Thanks for sharing. Good to know I'm not alone in the chaos and 'bad mom award' moments.
Also was reminded why I detest getting up early…makes the time before 12 seem SO long 🙂
Congrats to your lil girly taking all those steps!
Amanda,
You make me want pizza =) That was so sweet-what Jackson said about sharing his pizza with AnaBeth was too sweet! Have a great afternoon.
Andreea
I had days just like that when mine where smaller (she's 10, he's 5 now). I shudder when I think back at my frustrations. What I'd give to have one of those days back!
You are doing great!! Hey, at least you got out there to run. More than I can say I did then, or do now.
For some reason this conjured up a distinct memory: Me at Sam's with my three kiddos ages 3 and under practically ramming shopping carts with my friend that had four girls ages 3 and under (yes, it can be done, though few would recommend it). We just stood there a few seconds wondering if the other one looked like we felt. Then without any preamble she blurted, "I hate 7pm!" I just threw my head back and cackled 🙂 She had verbalized in-a-nutshell my exact feelings. You know: the day's winding down, dinner is over (though probably not the dishes), and you're staring baths and bedtime in the face. And she even had an extra head to lather, rinse, repeat. Somehow that next 7pm didn't seem so bleak knowing another mom out there wanted desperately to love and appreciate the most exhausting days of her life.
God Bless!
I remember those days! Embrace them because they will fly by so fast. Thank you for sharing and taking me for a walk down memory lane.
Theresa
50's decade
Married
Alabama
We Mom-Mom's have it a bit easier! I know you wouldn't trade it for anything sweet Amanda! And to think I remember when Jackson was born. I'm not sure who was more joyful – you or Miss Beth!
You're doing a great job in the motherhood department! Keep up the good work. You're growing 'kingdom warriors' – don't forget!
Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
JESUS ONLY in 2010
Love it….love it!!! I so needed this today……really made me smile. I hope your day gets better….but thanks for being transparent!!!
yep, been there done that. hugs from North Carolina for being a great mom!
Tracy L.
Richlands, NC
Amanda,
You are a wonderful mom…pizza, toothpaste and all. I had twin boys and it was hard getting a nap, unless I had them next to each other in a car seat and pretended to be asleep on the couch myself. When they got bigger, it was almost impossible.
One night I was so tired I accidently ( and I do mean accidently) picked up the wrong baby bottle filled with ivory liquid in one of those plastic bags they have for the bottles. Luckily, my son would not drink it.
I just wanted to cry and felt terrible. Thank God it watches over us overtime.
My boys are bigger now__we made it through with God's help. My husband is a great helper too.
Hope you have wonderful week.
My memory goes back to a time when I was dealing with both of mine in diapers, and there seemed to be a day when I was changing the worst baby diaper blowout of my life in the hallway, in order to keep an eye on the two year old in the bathroom, only to look up and see a puddle of poo running down his little legs while both of them screamed. And the phone rang, I threw it across the room, and as I was just getting both of them into the bath to clean them, my doorbell rang.
It's not always that kind of chaos, but Oh the memories… LOL
LOL …. can appreciate the bribe for a nap thing. I'm hopeful beyond hope that my almost 3yr old will even go down for a nap today – gramma desperately needs a nap but……naps are hit and miss at this age. Wonder if I can get away with shutting all the doors, putting the gate up and snoozing on the couch if she doesn't decide to nap …….naw, that won't work. Isn't life just glorious.
Oh, Amanda! You are in good company! As Jennifer at 1:46pm wrote, "mamma said there would be days like this…" It is physically exhausting some days, isn't it? And then they grow up and it becomes a little emotionally exhausting…but it's all good!! And the pizza…oh…
Thanks for sharing your day! Love it!
Marcia
Mpls, MN
I so know how you are feeling. Tomorrow will be two weeks when my day was going kind of like yours….get up at 6:00, shower, coffee, get kids up, fix breakfast, daughter (12) forgets that she forgot something at school the day before that she needed signed and turned in that day, son (4) whining about his clothes for that day, finally I say, pick out your own clothes, snacks fixed, out the door to get daughter to school by 7:45am, then son to preschool and me to work. Later, pick up son from preschool and here's the clincher, on the way to pick up daughter from school, hubby calls…..I've been let go from my job!!!!! WHAT?!?!?!, he repeats….tears start falling and all I could say is "what are we going to do"? Hang up phone and immediately start praying to my heavenly Father and bawling my eyes while trying to drive…..pick up daughter and needless to say our evening was not very good. Hoping your day gets better. God Bless
Wow. I just read about my life. 🙂 Having two is so –uh- interesting. But, I have to say, I laughed out loud and the pizza story. Just know you are certainly not alone!!
amanda
It made me tearfully happy to read this. I had an aunt who never had children. When I was in your stage of life she asked, "WHAT do you do all day?" I looked at her w/ my mouth gaping open, totally speechless – of course I could not think of one thing.
This is a beautiful tribute to motherhood!
And I believe the great Sunday school jingles we learn as kids are made for times like a dropped pizza. "The joooy-oyyy-oooy of the Lord is my strength!" CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!!
yep I remember those days. Now my son will be graduating from high school. When did that happen?!
Canadian bacon/pineapple – yum my favorite!!!
Oh, Amanda, I'd LOVE to have a day like that! Really. I'm serious! LOL! You are truly blessed!
You are making precious memories!
Gotta love Monday on a Wednesday. I'm glad you could find the moments to seek God and praise Him in between the rest.
I watch my 3 grandkids (2 one yr olds and a 2 yr old). I know what you mean. Today there are pillows under all the cushions in my living room. That's after they thought it was hilarious to run on the couch no matter what discipline was administered. With pillows under the cushions, they aren't tall enough to get up there.
I'm glad you're enjoying your busy time with your little ones. It passes by quickly. My son is almost 13. My mornings are pretty uneventful. He starts his slow pace down the stairs at about 7:35 each morning, grabs a bowl of oatmeal, puts his head down on the table until I say head up time to go, then he throws his books in his bookbag grabs the lunch I've prepared and then we pray together. Off to school we go.