Pearls of My Wisdom........

One January day, life as I knew it changed. My name did, too. They showed me this little human being in a warmer and I found myself being a mom. I no longer had just myself to take care of. Gone were the days of waking up on a Saturday morning and wondering, what do I want to do today? Actually, I can't remember the last time I woke up to the world being my oyster. What do people without kids do on Saturdays anyways? They get pedicures, sip lattes at Barnes & Noble. They shop with friends for cute strappy shoes and little shirts that they saw in last month's Cosmo. They doze off beside the pool with the sun shining on their sun-baked skin. Showers are long and relaxing with brand new loofahs and girl razors. The get dolled up for another night on the town with friends and come home in the wee hours of the morning, just because they can.

And eight years, three kids, and lots of blood, sweat, and tears later, I have realized that this mom job is a hard one. Maybe the hardest. In just the past few months, I have frequently found myself laughing quietly as I look at my three kids. Where the #%&* did these guys come from. Well, I know WHERE they came from, but when did this all happen. I just find it humorous-I think it's so funny that these little humans roam my house. And have taken over my world!!! They came, saw, and conquered......ME! Who am i really? Finley's favorite show is Alice and Wonderland-the Johnny Depp one. She loves it and I find it peculiar that she does. It's almost scary and so strange. But we watch it everyday and yesterday I was watching it for the thousandth time and I looked at Johnny Depp and thought, OH MY GOSH!!! I am the mad hatter! I am totally the mad hatter. For one, I feel like I look like mad hatter with my clothes all mismatched and my hair sticky straight out every which way. But I totally feel like I'm mad some days. Being a mother of three children has made me become mad, as in-CRAZY!

I'm no longer organized or in control. I cry and yell somedays. I loose things-my purse, my keys, socks, shoes, bills, photos, my mind. What have I become? My skin is dry from using antibacterial soap and my nails are chewed and unpolished. My eyes can be held up with toothpicks some mornings I'm so tired. I eat chocolate to survive the afternoon and smell my tshirt to see if it stinks too much to wear it another day. I'm usually juggling a baby in one arm while trying load the dryer and I haven't bought a new pair of panties in a year. None of my bras are cute, I mean, who needs cute bras when your boobs droop to your belly button? I'm afraid it's gonna take alot more than a bra to fix this pair. I spray dry shampoo to hide my roots and Comet Clean-Up is my best friend. I tend to sweat profusely when I'm nervous or when I blow dry my hair over five minutes. Boy, am I a catch. Poor Kyle. I wipe poop, puke, snot, and rotten milk on a daily basis. And I even once lied and said I had to go buy a new bra just so I could leave my house and be alone for a hour. Going out to a movie is like going to Vegas. Commercials make me cry and so does Kyle if he brings me a Chick-Fill-A unsweet tea. I like the simple things. Tea. I cry for tea that I didn't have to make myself. I have resorted to crying about TEA!!! You see, I am totally the mad hatter. Did you know that the term "mad as a hatter" refers to the 19th century usage of a mercury-based compound in the making of fine hats. Due to long-term exposure, hatters would often develop symptoms of mercury poisoning, such as tremors or mood-swings, that would make them appear "mad" to others. And why I know that also qualifies me as a nerd, as well.

I love my children but I will tell you, honestly, that some days I feel like I lost myself somewhere along the way. I am not the person I once was. I look in the mirror and wonder where that girl in the skinny jeans went that sat on the hood of her silver Camaro and smoked cigarettes on a roadtrip (right, Jessica!?!) I cry for the Camaro, Kyle cries for the skinny jeans. Being a mom makes you less selfish, and sometimes I feel like I give every ounce of my being to them. I am plum pooped most days. But a good hot bath and a few hours sleep gives me a new perspective each day. I get up and do it all again. Because I can. Because I am blessed. Because I can eat chocolate at three o'clock. Because I'm mom. Because my mom did it for me. Because not every day do I feel like the mad hatter. Because I love the three humans that roam my house more than my life. Because life is made of those moments. Moments that can't be replaced by money or things. You can't buy fat baby hands, blonde piggy tails, or waxy ears.

I once woke up on Saturday mornings with nothing to do. But now, life has changed. I still get a pedicure-when someone gives me a gift certificate. I don't drink lattes, I drink Chick-Fill-A tea. Instead of Barnes & Noble, I sneak my Kindle out late at night. The strappy shoes have been replaced with comfy flats and the little shirts I now buy are size 9 mo, 5T, and boys size 12-14. I now doze off on the couch, holding a sweet baby and my skin is white, but wrinkle free. Showers are quick with old loofahs and usually with my razors that Kyle has already stolen to shave his face with at least once. I get dolled up once in a blue moon to eat dinner with my other friends who need a night out away from kids. And I am up in the wee hours in the morning, feeding my baby.

And actually, when I wake up on Saturday mornings, the world still is my oyster. Sometimes I open it up and there just some sand, just another ordinary day. But sometimes I open it up and there's a pearl, a day that they say or do something that I will remember the rest of my life. I live for those oysters. I love those pearls. And there's no rule that says mad hatters can't wear pearls. : )