How Dare They?

Someone in my house woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  She was grumpy from the getgo; irritated at every turn.  But she had good reasons…

• How dare her 17 month old poop in her diaper so early in the day?  And good grief — could she whine any louder to be held and cuddled first thing in the morning?  The very thought!
• How dare her Kindergartener forget to do her homework last night?  Surely she’s old enough to shoulder that responsibility all on her own!
• How dare that same kindergartener be unable to find clothes for school.  My goodness, how hard is it to dig through the clean Mt. Laundry on the living room floor?
• And the missing belt.  How dare she misplace her belt?  And if she wouldn’t keep her bedroom in such shambles (just like her mother’s) then it wouldn’t be so hard to find things now, would it!?!
• And that boy!  How dare he love the sparkly Christmas tree lights so much that he goes back plug them in himself, knocking over the cheap stocking holder in the process?
• If that weren’t bad enough, how dare they all wake up hungry?  Imagine… three hungry children in the morning.  *huff*

Hmmmmmmm.  Those same children, within that same hour…

• Set the stocking holder back in place with an “I’m sorry, Mommy.  I’m sorry.”
• Completed the homework; found some jeans and the missing belt.
• Wrapped Mommy in a bear hug and covered her with smooches.
• Showered Mommy with excited praise for the yummy cinnamon rolls.
• Wouldn’t let her big sister (or her daddy) out the door without goodbye kisses.

It’s me, and I was having a really bad morning.  I’m so grateful to my kiddos for turning it around.  I’m grateful that they forgive easily, and practice constant resilience when Mommy’s bad attitude and grumpy demeanor nearly crush them.  I’m grateful that they forget, and as soon as I have myself righted we can enjoy each other once again.  I’m so very grateful for their unconditional love.  My kids have so much to teach me.

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