Amazed with Myself

Okay before you think I am the world's most vainglorious mom, ("vainglorious"...now there's a word for you...it's too cool a word not to use somewhere...but I digress) let me put some things into perspective.

Last night my hubby stepped on a marker in the kitchen and left it on the floor. Later, I tripped on a basket in the living room. My husband laughed. I asked him what was so funny and he said that he had done the same thing earlier. "And you left it on the floor," I replied. I was very quick to add that I had picked the basket up (implying, of course, I am a much better person than he.) I went on with my cocky diatribe claiming I ALWAYS pick things up if I step on them. After a bit of Nathan's eye-rolling, I added, "Well...most of the time I step over it or around it, but if I step ON it, I pick it up." That was a much more believable version of reality. We both got a chuckle out of it.

All of that to say, I am a pathetic housekeeper. I am terribly disorganized, struggle to maintain a schedule, and would much rather play on the computer than play with my kids. (Don't think I neglect my kiddos. I don't. I'm just keeping it real.) Managing a household is nothing like managing a department.

So, how then, can I be so amazed with myself? Let me offer a tad more context.

Nicolas, whom you know about if you've read my blog, does fairly well in school. His experiences have continued improving as sensory diet activities have been added to his day. (A sensory diet helps kids like Nicolas organize sensory inputs so they can remain calmer and more engaged. It's kind of like someone with diabetes managing food intake to control blood sugar levels.)

Well, we're on break for 2 weeks. I don't want Nicolas losing ground after all the progress he's made. I also don't want a screaming puddle of a child distressing my other kids or making me into a screaming puddle of a mommy. So, I actually have a schedule, something that has been a godsend at school. AND, I have prepared sensory diet activities to keep us all busy and playing happily together. Are you seeing the amazing stuff here; a schedule, preparation, and playing...together?

This morning, before the kids got up, I actually created 4 bags of goo with sparklies and food coloring, cleaned the kitchen table and put the vinyl tablecloth on it. I have these wonderful goo-bags prepared for tactile stimulation AND a little education (mixing primary colors) ready to go. Amazing is an understatement in my mind.

If you recall, I'm not terribly domesticated. I love being a mom. I adore my kids. I can't imagine being anywhere else (even though it's something we're pursuing.) I even believe God designed me to be here. I just lack a certain skill set that I have not eagerly worked toward acquiring.

So, I'm giving myself a pat on the back. And, now that my arm is about to fall off, I'll give it a rest. I think you are probably sufficiently amazed by now, too.

P.S. I'll list some of our activities and resources in another post. We have really cool stuff planned!