It’s the thing I’ve tried the hardest for and failed the most at.
It’s sleepless night and early mornings.
It’s wearing a bracelet made from a pipecleaner and beads every single day even though it doesn’t match anything you wear.
It’s forcing vegetables on your kids and then looking at your own diet and realizing you could do better. And sometimes it’s saying ‘screw it, we’re eating McDonald’s tonight.’
It’s scheduling everything around naptime.
It’s crying in frustration one minute and laughing hysterically the next.
It’s looking at your own life and suddenly being incredibly grateful for every single thing your parents ever did for you.
It’s endless housework and a bottomless hamper.
It’s counting down the minutes until bedtime.
It’s the greatest joy and the deepest heartache.
It’s being so tired you can hardly keep your eyes open but summoning the strength to read one more bedtime story.
It’s realizing the power of your kisses and your words.
It’s needing a break so badly and then spending your first hour away talking about your kids. And sometimes it’s about giving yourself a timeout in the closet because you need to be anywhere but in the same room as your kids.
It’s a continual work in progress.
It’s the warmest hugs, the sweetest kisses, and the most exquisite chaos.