Low expectations

As I have never read “Great Expectations” I will not attempt to create a spin off of the name but simply state that my attitudeand perspective in life can often be foundin a much more positive light when accompanied by low expectations.

Today actually was a very good day - at the beginning. After a week of our new couch not fitting through the door, going down to one car, again - of course - and Tim’s clinic network malfunctioning so he couldn’t get any work done over the weekend...etc, etc, I was ready for a good day. 

So it started it out with Beau’s bike replacement tire arriving this morning. This putall of us in a good mood since it motivated Beau to play outside. He “just [loves] inside so much more than outside.” As he tells me every day. 

When I think back on the day I realize I DID finishing folding last weeks laundry. I DID start the dishes and I DID submit my grocery order to Walmart. We even went on a walk/bike ride to the park for an hour. So after a seemingly “successful” day I looked around the house after returning from the park and wondered, “why on earth does the house look worse than it did this morning?” What a hilarious question to ask myself when I have 3 (almost) toddlers now. Oh yeah. Ok I’ll make dinner and worry about cleaning up later. Annie wanted to help me prep and cook, but I can't remember when she left the kitchen. I only know that when I was almost ready to set the table I heard Emilie crying her heart out. “Beau!” I called, “can you please check on Emilie and bring her into the kitchen for me?” 

“I don’t have to” he responded, “she’s coming into the kitchen herself” I looked around the corner and saw her, dragging her left leg as she always does, covered from head to toe in hand soap. I could only assume she must have soap in her eyes to be crying so hard. “OH My - Gosh! ANNIE!” I carried my screaming baby up to the bathtub with Annie whimpering behind me. After rinsing out every last ounce of soap I soothed the girls (a physically wounded Em and emotionally wounded Annie “you’re so mad at me mom?”) and then I went back down to my bathroom to discover that Annie had dumped the entire bottle onto the floor. The honey bottle was in their too. I don’t know if she dumped some of that. But no matter now, since I have finished cleaning it up.

At this point we finally were able to eat dinner and after 30 minutes of attempting to leave the house we were all strapped inthe car to pick up Tim from work. I always enjoy driving in the car. It gives me some “alone time.” Even if the kids are screaming they are strapped in their car seats and can’t escape (at this age). So I contemplated my life and my day as I drove to pick up Tim and was so grateful that he is such a patient and understanding husband. It made it much easier for me to stay calm and accept the life I have. That’s when I remembered, or realized, that the house was a mess because I spent my time being a mom today. Reading books, riding bikes, changing diapers, discovering small creatures in the back yard...thoseare the things I love doing. 

If only I had a cook, a cleaning maid and a nanny for the times that I really do need to get away. 

 Beau named this blue spotted salamander “flower” 

Beau swears this was “butter” who found him at his new home! (His preschool class raised caterpillars/butterflies this last spring). 

The frog we caught last week was named“lily” we have yet to name any of the mosquitoes as they are as numerous as the sands of the sea.