Mother's Day

This year, Elisabeth had big ideas for Mother's Day for me. She is at that age where she likes to make grandiose plans that may or may not be plausible. She was insistent that Evan take the girls to the mall to go shopping for me. When he asked what she wanted to get me that was at the mall she replied, "I don't know, I just want to walk around the mall and look at things." He ended up taking both girls shopping (at my insistence...because I wanted some time in my house alone!) and they went to 4 different stores. He came back exhausted and grumpy. I giggled.

Elisabeth also really wanted me to have breakfast in bed. But, I don't like eating in my bed. It's gross. And, I would be eating by myself, which would be silly. So, I told her I'd rather eat with everyone at the table. She then asked if we'd give her breakfast in bed instead.

I really appreciated all of Elisabeth's sweet ideas, and I made sure to let her know that she was very thoughtful, but for Mother's Day, I'd rather pretend I wasn't a mom for a day. Which is what I found a lot of mom's with children are wanting. They want days at the spa without kids; a weekend away without kids; a day with their friends without kids; some alone time without kids; a day to wallow in hobbies without kids. (Are you seeing a pattern?)

I find it humorous that, when the kids are young and intense and take up allllll of your time, you want to be away from them. I won't lie, I totally want that. A lot. Maybe 3 times a week, tops.

But, I know that it won't always be like this. I know someday, they will be grown and then I will want them on Mother's Day. I will want them to come over and see me and spend the whole day with me. I will want their undivided attention the way they want mine now. I realize that some day I won't even have the luxury of being guaranteed to have my kids with me on Mother's Day because they will have their own families and will have to see their spouse's mom as well as me and, heaven forbid, they may not even be in the same state as me because their husband joined the Air Force (sorry Mom and Jana).

So, today, I am not running away. I am spending a lazy Sunday with them like we always do. I am doing laundry and watching CBS Sunday Morning with Evan. I am trying not to scream at Julia as she yells my name for the millionth time while ignoring my response of, "What, Julia? Tell me what you want for the love of god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". I am planning on going grocery shopping with Elisabeth so we can see if there are any garage sales in the area. I am being the Mommy today.

I will run away another day.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I sure love you. And I'd also appreciate it if you'd answer the phone because I've tried calling twice, and if I didn't know better, I'd say you were ignoring me.