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.
amybhill 
hahahaha – you crack me the heck up. i heard or read that "motherhood is the hardest job you'll ever love." i think that is true so far. thanks for keepin' it real <3
Oh Amanda!
Bless you, bless you, bless you!!!
Remember it so well. And you are SUCH a good mama. Hey, these years are a mess. What can I say? I had 4 under the age of 6. You just hang on and offer yourself to the LORD for this time. Amanda He knows this is the HARDEST job in the world and there is no other job that pleases him more than a mama raising her little ones to love him.
I remember being desperate for some quiet timein the word and there just wasn't any. I was exhausted ALL the time. But when I would wash dishes at my sink He would just somehow be there and verses I hadn't seen in years would just pop into my head. He fed me there. Believe me, now when I have lots of time to be quiet and by myself I share every bit of it with HIM!
He gently leads those that are with young!
Isaiah 40:11
Love you girl!
Heidi
Just read this today and I laughed…is that okay? It helps me realize that everyone has days like that and you may as well laugh than cry (at least that's what my grandma says :)). Micah turned two in January and baby girl will be arriving in June (Lord willing!). I don't even know what "crazy" is yet, do I? Love you friend!
Angela Carson
JC,MO
Wow, that sounds so much like my day you wouldn't believe it…except for the pizza, which might have been a good mid-day pick up!! My daughter turned three this week, my son is 16 months and #3 is due in August. Some days I look at the two and think – we're crazy for adding another one!! 🙂 Hang in, and look for those beautiful moments of blessing that remind you how good God is and how fantastic it is to get to stay home and raise your own kids.
I think we must be living the same life! Some days are just like that aren't they? Some down points, some up! The Ups are God's way of keeping us mommies going!!
I have a new favorite name for this stage in my life. It's called "the black hole" and it begins with the birth of your first child and I'm still not sure when it ends. However, I told myself after a particularly long day today, "There's a mess to pick up so that means they're still with me!" I knock the black hole, but I love the black hole. It still feels good to vent! Katie (kids 6 and 2)
PS..sorry to add another e-mail to your queue!
How you managed to share all of that without completely losing it and saying phrases that we have long sinced desired not to is amazing to me!!! I feel for you and remeber those days well. Now they just happen to us in adult bodies! All is well girl tommorow is going to be a better day, love Carla
your day sounds like mine but I'm grandma, watching her 4 grandchildren. Feel guilty because I'm thinking I've been here, done this, and I want some quiet time. We love our children even when they're all grown up, but being a mom, we'll always be. Your life is normal for what it's worth, and saying your sorry will be something you'll also do when you're a grandma. I loved your log of the day in a busy mom's life.
Well, I know what I am having for dinner tonight! Your post made me laugh. I remember when my daughter used to get up at the crack of dawn on the weekends and come into my room and try to pry my eyes open with her fingers and ask me if I was awake! Haha…I can laugh about this now. She is now almost 20 years old and she babysits reguraly…the paybacks are nice!
I love reading your stories about her little ones….they are so precious!
Reading this smiling, it sounds so familiar. Boy, do I remember those days. Two boys and one so strong willed, I must have given that imaginary bad Mom award to myself daily. They are now 15 and 12(and I adore them even more) and get this, we're starting over with a toddler when our adoption goes through. Hang in there, you are equal to the task.
"I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble."- Helen Keller
And all by 1pm! Oh how I remember those days. And everyone saying to me.."Cherish them, it will go by sooo fast!" "yeah right". Ok. They were right. Wait till Annabeth takes her diaper off and plays with the contents on the wall! Thats always a fun memory. Love ya. Shelly
Have you heard the country song, "Sounds Like Life to Me"? I thought of it when I read your post. Thank goodness we go through our daily lives with Jesus or we probably wouldn't make it. Makes me think of a Keith Green song, "How Can They Live Without Jesus?"
Hang in their girlfriend! And you know the saying "these are the best days of your life." Although you probably don't want to hear that right now, do you?
Sending much love and peace your way!
Your post made me smile, My kids are a bit bigger now, so not quite as draining physically, but I soo remeber those days. My favorite mops mentor always says "This too shall pass" Something to think on when you are having one of those days. Love reading that we are not alone in this world of mommying!
Ginger from missouri
TO ALL MOMS OF TODDLERS:
You're doing a better job than you think.
Christ loves you and your kids more then you can fathom!
Pizza sauce counts as a veggie serving.
all I can say is, been there and done that. Don't you worry; totally normal.
God is smiling……I am sure of it.
I love you….
Becky in Richmond VA
Oh thank heavens! I thought only my children had that kind of blood running through their veins!! Isn't it just anarchy at times and I think to myself "how did this happen?" With my first child, my husband (at the time) left when she was 3 mos. old. And I thought being a single mom was hard. This time is MUCH harder ~ and I've got a husband!
Thank you and all Siestas for their comments. It's nice to know we're all in this together!
P.S. My verification word? UNRAN … yeah right!
Love your post. It brought smiles! Hang in there and don't feel like a bad mommy when things don't go perfect. I remember those days and still have those days. My oldest turned 17 yesterday – YIKES! Where has the time gone?! Even the bad days are treasures:o)
I just want to say "thank you" for the smile this morning. IT does get better – you are doing such a great job with your children!! Don't be afraid to pay yourself on the back every now and again!!!!
I got all teary reading your post. With my one and only baby girl, who is 25yrs old and going to be a bride in 2 months, I remember those days(plus I babysat for years so we had MANY spilling, crying, reading, attempting to get to "rest" times.) I would leave my Bible open on a table and get little Word "fixes" during the day. As many have affirmed, those days go fast. Thank God for His presence in every season of our lives. In Jesus' Love, Kathy Knoblock
Thanks, Amanda, for the post…I have had many a day like that…now I have them with all my teenagers as well. Life changes, but not really. Blessings for you and your family.
I haven't visited your blog in so long and today I'm glad I did. We are in such different stages and your post took me back. My kiddos are almost 21, 19, 15 and 11 but I remember those days! So sweet, frustrating, rewarding, tiring, exhausting, fun, and SHORT. It irritated me to no end when people said to enjoy the time but I have to say they were right! Enjoy the time! I miss my boys like crazy now that they are in college. Hang in there mamma and kiss your sweet kiddos round checks. Pretty soon you'll be on tip toes to do it. :_)
Love this post!
Love the recap. How funny!
I wasn't sure where to share this story about your mom, but I thought she would think it's funny. I got to meet Beth in Birmingham at one of the book signings. I took my 8 year old daughter because we watch Wednesday's With Beth together (as well as watching Life Today on a daily basis). My children also see the bible study videos when I'm preparing to facilitate or something. They ask me often if she is my mother. My mother died when my 8 year was 6 months old, so neither she, nor my 6 year old twins got to know their wonderful grandmother. I blurted this (that my children ask if she is my mom)out to your mother before I could stop myself that they think she is my mother. I was mortified, but she was so sweet.
Anyway, yesterday morning, I had Life Today on while I was getting ready and your mom has been on all week long. My 6 year old son will not go to the bathroom in my bedroom if I am not in the room with him and our hall bathroom is out of order at the moment. He was jumping up and down crying for me to go with him and I was ironing and in a rush to get us ready to leave for the day. So, without thinking, I said 'just go in my room, Beth Moore is in there'! HE WENT! No complaints! So funny.
My husband insisted that I tell this story on here. Sorry for making a short story, long. 🙂
I'm so thankful for this ministry!
Remember those day…hang in there…they do grow up and soon they think they don't need mommie anymore…mine are 17, 15, and 13 and are a blessing to me even now…God Bless!!!
Hang on sister!
This is truly a fleeting time!
I had 3 under 4 and thought days & nights were all the same. It passes so very quickly!
(I know you hear the EVERYDAY)
My babes….are all teens now, oldest is away at college and 2 in high school!
I remember many days of being in my nightgown at 3pm and wondering when I would get to go pee!
I love knowing….that I did the right thing by being home with my kids and investing in them, forever!
It shows in the people they are today!
YOU ARE DOING GREAT! Tomorrow, you will probably get the SUPERMOM award…..just as imaginarily as today's!
Thanks for sharing Amanda! I have had many a days like that and even though I am in a different season now (my three boys are now 10, 9 and 6). there are still crazy days where I look back and think I should have spent more time on my knees in the morning! We homeschool which makes for a lot of teaching, training, and correcting, which can also be exhausting at times!
Yesterday I had my girlfriends kids, which totals 9 kids and me and one of those was a 2 year old! at one point the two-year old got away from me while we were at the zoo and had wandered off, a stranger brought him back and inquired whom he belonged too! She was gracious and I was thankful!
But yes this parent time is tedious at times and sacrificial, but so worth the time and attention. Our time spent with our kids is not in vain, but we are investing in His Kingdom, raising the next army for HIM! God Bless!
In HIM,
Karen in AZ
These types of days are gone way too fast…someday, you will miss them.
Until then, hang in there.
Loved your post. Mine are now 9, 7 and 5 and those days ALREADY seem like a lifetime ago. And what everyone says is true. You will miss those days of sloppy, mouth-opened even snotty kisses (ok, mabye not the snotty ones!!) and them feeding you their cheerios. I almost cry thinking about it.
PS. Can't even count how many times I have humbly apologized to my sweet babies. As a matter of fact, I already did one this morning! LOL.
I can so relate! My 3.5 year old does the same thing about coming to our bedroom and saying he's scared when he really just wants to wake up! Great post!
My favorite was Jackson's toothpaste lunch! HAHAHA
Sounds like my day! HUGS mama!
Oh Amanda! I'm so sorry but I have to say I am so very glad to hear I am not the only one! I loved every part of that post! Today I was dropped off at a a mall one hour from home (nearest one) by the Honda service man with just me and our two boys (19 months and 3.5). There's something unnerving about that…no escape. It was supposed to last 3-4 hours. They called at that point. It would be another hour. They called again. Another hour. At one point, my oldest had to go potty but is desperately afraid of public restrooms (flushes and dryers). While I am trying to calm him down amidst all of the other potty flushes, my 19 month old is trying to escape. My husband has been gone this week and is en route home this very minute. Yeehaw, we made it (almost)!
I know this may sound crazy but… I MISS those days!!! My baby is almost 10 and my oldest turn 13 this wk. It goes by WAAAY TOOO FAST!!!
Your post made me smile, especially after my 20 mo. old daughter sprayed glass cleaner in her face while I was cleaning the bathroom this morning! Nothing promotes bonding like trying to get a steady stream of water flowing in your toddler's eyes for 15 minutes! Next time this mother of the year will place the cleansers on a much higher shelf…
You're traveling down a road I'm well familiar with from years gone by but reading your notes brought back the memories afresh. Thanks for reminding me. A new season has come for me and I love them all. We'll see our "fourth and final" child wed this summer and witness the birth of grandchild number 2 this spring. God is so good and faithful. The days are long sweet one, but the years are fast. Enjoy them all.
Amanda,
You truly ministered to me today. I was feeling guilty for my lack of patience and just wanting my girls to go to bed so I could sit down for a minute.I guess we all go through the same thing,
Blessings!
ditto, except for I have a 4 year old and 3 month old so all that plus no sleep for mama! I know it will get better!
boy…i'm SO glad that despite the lies satan would like for me to believe…i'm NOT the only mom who has days like this…A LOT. 🙂 so easy to think everyone else has it 'together' whatever that is….so WONDERFUL to hear that we are all doing our best. thanks for sharing 🙂
Reminds me of a song….
"You're gonna miss this…"
🙂
I love how you wrote this post. It's beautiful and I can SO relate! I have a 4 yr. old son and a just turned 3 yr old daughter! I enjoy those STILL moments!
You are talented friend….just like your Mom. "Life Before Noon" reminds me of the best days of my life.
Jackie Tabor
Lake Charles, LA
I have those days too. Hang in there and remember God Loves You! You are not a bad Mommy!
Amanda– I hope you have a sense of humor about this. I'm giggling out loud.
Ugh! I have so many days like that. Not as many now that they're a little older. But today they brok a window!
Sweet girl, that sounds like a very normal Mom day to me! My kids are all grown or almost grown and I long for those days again. I know it can wear you down but try to enjoy it all the same. And hey, cleaning up the pizza mess is still easier than making it! You're doing a great job!
That you can chronologically remember the details so well is amazing. You are brilliant, Amanda.
Thanks for the honesty. My kids are 6 and 8 but I remember the "early years" quite well. Including the toothpaste incident.
When my son was two (and after a particularly difficult day) I told my husband (out of earshot of the little ones) that one day our boy was either going to be a lawyer, or NEED one!
Isn't it amazing how a day in the life of a mom can be so frustrating and frazzling, yet exciting and memorable at the same time? Thanks for sharing both in your story.
Back online after waiting 3 weeks from my computer to get fixed. First thing had to check out the Moore's. Laughed so hard at this post. If I had to sum up any day in my life it would look a lot like that.
1. My husband & I both sleep w/a sleep apnea machine & I also have to tape my eyes
b/c of dry eyes. My husband laughs & says, “If anyone broke into our home & came to our
bedroom they would say, “don’t bother them…they’re already near death”.
2. I was born a month early & weighed 3-4 lbs. My dad put my head in his palm & stretched my feet to reach his elbow.
3. At 2+ yrs I heard the story of “Zacchaeus” in SS. When asked about what I learned
that day, I said, “A little man climbed a tree to see Jesus & when He came by He said, “Jack Edith, Jack Edith, come down from that tree; I’m going to eat Sunday dinner w/you.” (My name is Jan Edith.)
4. My son was a few weeks early & was born on my birthday w/in minutes of my birth time.
5. As a 2 yr old I would feel for my dad’s coffee cup on the table & drain what was
left. Coffee is my favorite drink…still!
6. I can whistle like a man.
7. As a child, I wanted to grow up to be a school teacher AND a missionary. I am in my element when teaching ESL via the Bible to Internationals.
8. I detest dirtly fingernails!
9. I can touch my nose w/my tongue.
10.I’d much rather read the book than watch the movie.
As you can see, I put this in the wrong area. I’m having a time with this new computer I have and with your blog site changing. I’ll catch on soon I hope.