Staying Focused

I've had a lot of thoughts pop into my head today, so zeroing in on one specific topic may be hard to do. I will tell you that I'm exhausted and feel as though I've accomplished exactly NOTHING this weekend, but then that wouldn't be entirely true.

This would be the third weekend it's just been me and the kids, not to mention every single weeknight in between. Thankfully, DH will be home in a few nights, something we're all looking forward to. You don't realize how much you need each other until one of them is working out of town, and the bulk of the household is left on your shoulders. At least his pay is decent, but man, I'm ready for my other half to be home!!

[Paused here to fix a bottle for Gabe and spend several minutes patting his bottom to get him to stop crying and go back to sleep.]

You see, this is how my weekend has been. I feel as though I haven't finished a single task that I set out to do--with the exception of buying groceries because you try and get it all in one trip, if possible. Every time I start working on a task, one of the kids needs my attention.

Someone needs to eat.

Someone has a boo boo.

Someone can't find a certain action figure or toy or stuffed animal or book or Tag pen or crayon color.

Someone needs a diaper change in a bad sort of way.

Someone wants you to change the channel on the TV because they don't want to watch a particular cartoon.

Someone crawled into the corner of the kitchen where the most dirt is tracked in through the back door and has found a shoe to put in their mouth.

Someone won't take a nap.

Someone is crying.

Someone is ready to throw in the towel and admit that maybe they bit off more than they could chew when they even THOUGHT about bringing children into this world!

Now I won't say it was all bad this weekend. We did take some time to play at the local playground, where Zeke and I shot a few hoops (well, I did...Zeke was still working on his dribble), and Gabe and I watched Zeke climb all over the playground during my secret ploy to have him wear himself out prior to nap time.

(That doesn't work as well as it used to, by the way.)

We've read books and told stories, had animated conversations at the dinner table, and laughed and played with the baby as he learns to clap and say "Mama" non-stop when he wants something. (I really need to teach him to say "Dada" more often.)

I guess I'm just griping. I did get some laundry done, and the sink was free of dishes at some point this morning. But after fixing Hot Dog Soup for dinner this evening (which the kids loved) and Taco Mac 'n' Cheese for one day later this week, the sink is now full of pans, cutting boards, and dishes once again. The living room floor was already picked up three times today, twice by myself and once by Zeke, but is now covered with toys once again. And the small projects on my to-do list, such as cleaning all the excess junk off the dinner table and bathroom counter, have once again slipped by on the wayside. It's a wonder I was able to get my medical transcription work finished with all the distractions I've had!

By the time the kids go to bed and the bottles are washed for the next day, I have very little desire to clean or organize. I find myself mindlessly playing games on Facebook just so I don't have to THINK for a while!

And then it's time to go to bed because tomorrow is Monday, and 4:30 comes awfully early in the morning.

Guess I need to stop and smell the roses more, or I'll wake up one day in my 50s and wonder where the hell my life went! Not that 50-something is old, but I had to make a point here. *smile*

And on that note, I believe I have some dishes in my cafe that need to be served, and I have jobs that my mafia need to do while the energy pack is still good. Oh, and I need to report to work at the widget factory to claim my 350 coins and visit a few of my neighbors and send a few gifts.

Don't ask. Really. Good night!