A letter to myself... from the future.

Lately I've been in a funk. I've been overwhelmed and exhausted. I find it hard to get ANYTHING done even while I'm home all day. Make that especially while I'm home all day. I kept hearing from older parents who had been where I am telling me these are the best years and to savor every moment while it lasts. Well, that's great, but it's difficult to savor anything when I'm cleaning up a mess in the bathroom because someone missed or while I'm picking oatmeal out of someone's hair for the umpteenth time that day. So, since hindsight is 20/20 and I really would like to take advantage of their wisdom, I've decided to try to take myself out of the situation and write myself a letter... from the future. Stick with me here. No one knows how precious these children are better than I do, after all... right?! Here goes.

Dear "pre-school Mommy of 2010" Me,

I know you feel like the walls are closing in and the children have cloth ears. I'm standing on the other side with an empty nest and I want to let you know that they all turn out alright. You will never regret staying at home with your babies. Don't lose sight of why you're staying home though. You aren't making these sacrifices so the tile can shine every day. You're home, mainly, to be a mother to your kids and to raise them yourself. So... get off the computer and go play a game with your son who's been begging all morning. Go read a book to Selah Jade even though you've already read it so many times she has the whole thing memorized and can "read" it with you. Go hold that baby that's growing by the minute. She wont be little for very long. Go.

Very sincerely,
40-something-year-old Me