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One of Those Days

Shannon Jarvies

Have you ever had one those days that your last nerve wore so thin that you could use it to replace your worst pair of pantyhose? Every mother reading this will answer "Yes, at least three times a week." Just yesterday was one of those days for me. My oldest son was home from school and I was determined not to let all of my kids veg in front of the T.V. all day. "You've got better things to do" I told them, and off to my daily chores I went.

While I was at one end of the house cleaning and folding clothes my kids were at the other end covering the living room floor with toys. My boys started arguing about who was NOT going to be the girl in Chutes 'N Ladders (the other boy was chewed up by my 8 month-old) and my baby has just rolled off the bed. I look at the clock: 9:30 a.m.

By lunch time the mess was half way cleaned up and my sanity, for the time being, was restored. The meal went without a hitch. It didn't matter that my three year old spilled his Kool-aid because it didn't roll off the table or run through the crack and hit the floor.

Finally naptime! Is it possible to even think about getting work done? I cave to my no T.V. rule, lay my baby down for a nap and flip on my anxiously awaiting computer. Before I am even logged on my three year old runs screaming into my room and a Lego barely missed his head. Instead it slammed into the door of the room where my baby instantly awoke. So much for Blue's Clues and answering e-mail.

Threats were made, Legos picked up and warnings that T.V. privelages would be taken away for a week. (What was I saying?) "No surprise from our shopping trip," I told them, "and we're giving the Legos away!" As I continued to run through their list of punishments my voice was getting louder and louder. I needed a time-out.

I sat down on the couch, sighed and picked up my ever drooling 8 month-old. My older children sat quiet and waited for their unnerved mother to spout off again. Then quietly my five- year-old asked if I would film them (home videos take second only to Blues Clues). I paused before I reminded them that they were all in trouble and decided why not? I wasn't getting anything accomplished anyway.

My daughter wanted me to film the making of her secret recipe which consists of milk, banana and sugar. My son decided to do a hunting video on the techniques of shooting houseflies with a toy bow and arrow. By that time my three year old was asleep on the couch.

When I watch the home video of the future chef and bow hunter will I remember that it was one of those days? I doubt it. Instead I'll hold back tears and smile as I remember how sweet my chilren are. More importantly I'll know that of all of the things I didn't accomplish that day, I made up for them by capturing memories that will last a lifetime.


Shannon Jarvies is a SAHM to four wonderful kids and wife to a great guy! She is the webmom of a website that brings moms together to learn, laugh and enjoy! Visit now at http://www.amomsjoy.com Plus, she'll share her secret as to how she gets her kids to do their chores faithfully at http://www.amomsjoy.com/chores


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