Perspective

I was at the grocery store this afternoon, three kids in tow.  Colton doesn't like to be in a buckle, Bri has a difficult time staying by my side and Joshua loves to hang off the cart.  It makes for a challenging shopping trip.  So, as I'm standing in line holding Colton, who is continually screaming (not crying, just screaming) and arching back and flopping forward because he wants to get down I notice the lady in front of me.  She has one little baby, in a wrap snuggled up against her.  She's trying to unload her groceries and it isn't too difficult but is taking time.  The cashier starts to ask her

Cashier:  So, any surprises with motherhood?
Customer: Nope, not so far.
Cashier:  Is it harder than you expected it to be?
Customer:  Well, some things are easier, some things are harder.  It is much easier to go shopping without a baby, I have learned"

I'm sitting here thinking "oh just wait, there will be surprises.

The cashier says to her "It will get easier"

I think to myself "oh, when they move out?  Because I have 5 now, and just these three with me are way more difficult than having that one little baby snuggly wrapped in, not old enough to want down, or old enough to be climbing out of the cart"

And then as I'm bagging my groceries next to her I said "I love it, it's a lot of work, but I love it."  She echoed my sentiments.

Finally, I said "yeah, it's hard, but it is so worth it.....most days"

After leaving I thought about that.  "Most days??"  No, It is worth it Every. Single. Day.  Are there days when I want to throw my hands up and hide in my room?  Sure, Are there days when I get tired of cleaning up puke, and keeping clothing and bedding cleaned? Absolutely.  And there are even days when I think "I can not wait till they are older, because taking them to the store is such a pain now.

But you know, truth is....all of that is worth it.  These kids are only this small once.  At first I was embarrassed by Colton's screaming, but now I realize he's just a vocal kid.  Seriously vocal, and likes to let me know when he wants something.  But he will grow out of it and I will miss it.  I know I will.  I will miss the days the younger kids are pushing chairs around and scooting stools over to the counter to get into everything I am trying to bake with.

As I type this Colton is napping and bri is eating half my lunch because I set it down for a minute to type. I know I'll miss this.  I know that every minute of it, no matter how challenging, is so worth it.  That is truth.  And to say outloud to a new mother that it's worth it "most days" probably was not the smartest thing to say.
It is so worth EVERYTHING we go through as parents, to be that special person in your child's life.