Mommy's Day Off

My dh gave me the day off today. The only stipulation was that I needed to come home to nurse. Easy enough. I left the house around 8 this morning and headed to Einstein Bros. Bagels. So good! I had never been there before, and I was not disappointed. I ate a bagel, drank my coffee, bought a water and people watched. I don't remember the last time I people watched. I think it was in high school. ;-)

I then headed to Hobby Lobby where I walked through the ENTIRE store. I got a pretty cross for our front door and some fabric to make pockets for my new apron. Then I decided to find a Big Lots, thinking I could maybe find a cheap, but pretty, magazine rack for our front room. No luck. But, on the way there, I drove through the downtown area of my city. I had never been in that area before. I felt like I was on an adventure. So home I went, concluding my first shift off.

On my second shift, I spent the entire two hours at Borders. I drank more coffee (an iced one this time, it was 110F degrees out) and read and daydreamed and brought home two fun books for the kids.

My third and final shift of my day off, I went to the chapel for Holy Hour, and then to end my lovely day on the right note, I went to Reconciliation. Filled with grace I went home, fully intending to stay that way.

Alas, soon enough I found myself knee deep in grumpy kids. The two year old was bouncing off the walls, because it's too hot to play outside. The baby seems to have caught a cold and refused to nap (or maybe it's allergies?).

So here I am, at the end of the day, the kids are in bed and I've had a relaxing bath. I'd like to say I stayed as grace filled as I was after reconciliation. I'd like to say I didn't yell at the two year old as he got into just about everything. I'd like to say I didn't snap at my husband while I was busy making dinner. I'd like to, but I can't.

I can say that on one of my breaks home, I cleaned the kitchen and made lunch for my husband and son and spoon fed the baby. I can say that I thought up a fun game to funnel the two year old's energy. I can say I rocked the fussy baby to sleep. I can say I apologized to my husband. I can say the dinner I made was good, even if it was quick. And I can say that I managed to get the floors swept so it doesn't feel like we are walking on sand.

It's not much, and it doesn't make up for anything, but it does show that I'm trying and I have faith that God will bless my efforts.