Pictures of our day

If you were to look at the photos from today on my phone you would see several pictures of happy kids at the museum having a great time. I could even post them on Instagram and it would seem as though it was a perfect day.

But what you don't see is Mable's tantrum because we didn't go to her activity first, a disappointed Jane that we didn't stay longer at the fashion design table, a frustrated Lucas where he had to help me chase Mable while I tended to Ramona. 

Overall, yes the kids had fun and I want to remember the fun parts and the smiles on each of their faces when they got to go to their favorite exhibit, but honestly when we got back to the car I just sat for a few minutes taking deep breaths. It is so hard being a mom. I teeter between not caring what the world thinks because we look like a traveling circus or staying home for the rest of my life because it's just so hard.

After the museum we went to Chick-fil-a because I knew Mable would fall asleep on the way home and I wanted her to each lunch, but I also knew that it was going to be hard wrangling everyone during lunch hour. I decided I can't stay home the rest of my life because I have 4 kids so we headed over. It was wild and crazy, Mable was swinging from the line divider, the register was not working, Jane spilled her drink, Ramona was crying and needed her bottle and I was on the brink of tears.

Then the man behind me walked up, put his hand on my shoulder and said "You're doing great mom!" I silently cried... the register finally read my card, Jane got a new drink and we all walked to a table. We had a great lunch, talked about our favorite parts of the museum, got our refills and headed back to the car.

Tonight we all headed in different directions- the boys to baseball and the girls to soccer. It was 38 degrees out and FREEZING. We bundled up as best as we could.

Mable kept saying "I can't touch my hands" meaning, she couldn't feel them. My dear friend Tabitha saw that I had my littles with me and offered to bring Jane home so I could get my girls out of the cold. It made my night. 

Then as Andy and I were going to bed, this note was waiting for him:

Life is really hard right now, but the silver lining is it's worth it. It may not be perfect all the time... I am usually at my wits end by 7PM, but these kiddos are worth the crazy. :)