I wrote this a while back for What to Expect but found myself in need of reading it today, maybe a few of you do too…
—————-
Balancing the plastic tiara that dangles from my head, I turn for a clip-on princess earring. My three year-old fastens it to the top of my ear, grinning at her progress.
I can only imagine what I look like right now. No time to even change out of my pajamas, showering has become an unattainable dream today. I brushed my teeth, I think, and a steady flow of coffee has kept my eyes open through breakfast and lunch and snack.
My kitchen sink is towering with dishes and there is nothing thawed for dinner.
Cries and protests replaced what should have been naptime and my lap has not been empty for a moment.
My checkbook lays open on the counter, a streak of ink across a half-written check. A pleading toddler pushed my arm as I tried to pay a few bills.
Toys topple over my legs as I sit in defeat. I cannot accomplish anything today so we will spend the rest of daylight dressing as princesses and connecting trains, pushing dump trucks and toppling blocks.
Trying to stop a to-do list from scrolling through my brain, I concentrate on the knobby knees and clumsy hands at my feet. The last of today’s sun peaks through the window. I watch it shine on a tuft of blonde that managed to escape my little boy’s pirate hat.
My daughter tilts my head. A second dangling earring is ready for application. As I lean towards her, sloppy toddler kisses meet my cheek and I cradle my youngest in return. Eyes beaming with pride, my daughter steps back to admire her creation.
“You are a beautiful, beautiful princess, Mommy.”
Suddenly I am content, my house a castle of thriving children and beautiful messes.
I have accomplished everything worth doing today.
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I'm Jessica, 30-something mom to five, four in my arms and one in my heart.
Beautiful
I love the picture, pure joy right there!
jenn recently posted..Old Soul
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I did needed to read that, you have no idea!
Thank you.
Mirjam recently posted..Wonder
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Such a sweet picture. I hope you have a good day!!
I remember this post. Loved it then, love it even more now!
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Hello SITS Day!!
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Stunning, perfect.
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Together Quiet
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You did what was most important!
That to-do list will wait!
Shell recently posted..Pour Your Heart Out: A Valentine from the Past
Beautiful post, and that picture shows just pure joy and love!
Barbara recently posted..Dear Nathan…
Twitter: babspinfrance
Its helpful to be able to go back and read posts and find wisdom from your own words, I wish you a gentle day, take a deep breath and I’m lifting you up friend. Love, Nan xxxooo
Nan recently posted..One Month Til They Turn 3 in Heaven
Oh Nan, so good to hear from you. I think of you all the time. Hope you are doing well.
I loved it then and loved it now. It’s so applicable every day, and I have a habit of forgetting every once in a while.
Twitter: angelaamman
You are a princess and yes, thank you for the reminder! Sometimes it is hard to appreciate our precious gifts in the middle of all the chaos of small children.
Brittany recently posted..Jellyfish Pinata {Tutorial}
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Some days we just have to do what’s most important.
Jennifer recently posted..Still
No matter what my to-do list says, that is ALWAYS the most important priority on my list (now I just need to remember that…)
natalie recently posted..A Random Post About Random Things About Me
I needed this today! Thanks for reminding me that my mess is beautiful!
Life As Wife recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Day Old
Twitter: Samkanatzar
Such a sweet photo! Both of you look so adorable…beautiful!
Catwoman recently posted..fogpótlás
This is such an important reminder- even for me. Good for you, mom.
Twitter: jenrambles
Okay try again- tried to comment but it totally showed up under the wrong post! Sorry
. But as I said before, I love love this! Yes, you were doing what truly matters.
Emmy recently posted..Craft Time: Love Sign
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Everything you wrote shows that you are the most perfect mom for your kiddos. They are so lucky to have you. XO
Aww, thank you so much.
When we do the girls’ hair after bath, we let them look in the mirror and tell them they look beautiful. They’ve recently started coming up to both hubby and me, mess with our hair, and say, “We’re making you beautiful!” It really is the cutest thing, to watch two little girls play with your husband’s hair on the floor “making him beautiful”, especially when said husband does not ever ever ever like anybody touching his hair.
Amy recently posted..From Pinterest to Real Life
It all goes by so fast, dishes can wait! Lovely post.
Twitter: Klypt
It’s so great when kids put things into perspective. Never forget that you are her princess.
I love that picture! It’s such a sweet moment.
Your kids won’t remember the mes, that you couldn’t take a shower, or that dinner wasn’t perfect. What they will remember is that you are always there for them.
Thank you for sharing – you have reminded me to enjoy the “rock star hair” my twins try to create and forget the laundry ( which will be there long after they are asleep).
Sending you hugs and good thoughts today and always. Take care.
Wow! Beautifully captured. I had exactly this day today, well, close. I’m realizing just how much messes are unimportant and living is truly the only important. Thanks for the reminder!
The Anecdotal Baby recently posted..My Top 10 Uses for Vinegar
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Oh, so sweet.
Swoon.
Makes me want a girl
Chunky gives me sticky kisses and fart pies.
Yes.
Fart. Pies.
Kimberly recently posted..I Bet You’re Wondering…
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Oh yes… thank you for the reminder. Sometimes I too accomplish nothing on my to do list but have accomplished everything worth doing.
Maija @ Maija’s Mommy Moments recently posted..The Career Woman and the Homemaker (Yes I Said AND Not OR)
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You’ve such a lovely daughter. And as your lovely daughter says “you’re a beautiful, beautiful princess.”
I loved the photograph and the article even more.
Thanks for sharing.
-Rosy
Rosy Stinson recently posted..how to pick up girls
Those words would fix just about any day.
Twitter: daddyrunsalot
Such a beautiful post…it’s a lovely reminder that sometimes what we are “meant to accomplish” is just seeing the smiles of our precious ones and watching them light up with joy that we are spending time with them. The picture is gorgeous and the purity in that moment is inspiration in itself!
Shannon from ‘mynewfavoriteday’ recently posted..Trying something new…say it with me – Zumba!
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It’s beautiful and not messy at all.
Lady Jennie recently posted..After (Effects)
This is so beautiful and such a good reminder. It is so hard to stay in the moment and be content. So. Hard. Thank you for this.
That’s a beautiful story and what a gorgeous photo. There’s nothing more pleasing than getting a sincere compliment from your own child.
Camille recently posted..From the Mouths of SilverSpoon Babes…
Thank you. I needed that today.
Stacey recently posted..Dancing
Such a sweet post, Jessica. I’ve never read this one before but am happy you shared it again. And that photograph is too beautiful for words.
Charlotte recently posted..tides of my life and the rest of it all
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I love this and would never have seen it had you not re-posted. So, thank you. It was just what I needed.
Miss Marina Star recently posted..18 And Life
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Yes!
This is a great reminder that through the busy schedules, loads of laundry, piles of dishes, and never enough money there is the ones we do it for.
Thank you Jessica.
Leighann recently posted..11 Questions
I love the pics. The one created from your words and the one created from your camera. Thanks for this!
Shanon
Twitter: sharmstro
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. They are right.
Tonya recently posted..February 9, 2002
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Those are the moments we live for…
Teresa (Embracing the Spectrum) recently posted..Like butter
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The photograph reflects perfect moment of mother and daughter. I didn’t know much about clip-on earrings. I guess, the tiara seems a nice accessory for the head. I love the lines: “You are a beautiful, beautiful princess, Mommy.” Thanks for the interesting post.
Ariana Lemarr recently posted..Acheter lunette de tir
I like material like this. This is a fantastic post and I genuinely enjoyed reading it. You’ve got an original style that makes your tips stand out from other writers.
It’s so easy to forget to be part of the moments, to create the moments: that’s where memories come from.
Alexandra recently posted..The Thing About The Bloggess Is This
Oh, those days are so hard. And that perspective is so hard to find, but I’m so glad you did.
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