It's going to be one of those days....I can tell already.

Last night, I was having a hard time sleeping. This is pretty common, been struggling with sleeping issues my entire life. I think it has gotten worse since I had the kids, because it's the only quiet time I will ever get. So about 4am I finally get to bed, ugh. Then about 6:30 am, my middle daughter wakes up, about an hour ahead of schedule. I had set the alarm for 6 so I could get the chicken chores done and be up in time to fix the husband breakfast. I got breakfast done, but chickens had to wait until husband left for work. I hope they weren't too upset, it was a beautiful, cooler morning here. So aside from being tired, all is well, or so I thought.

My youngest woke around 7:30, way too early for her. She has been a grouch all morning, and she can be the most hateful, whiny kid you may ever see (she's almost 2). Followed by my oldest around 8. I try to wait until everyone is going to be awake to start breakfast, so around 8:30 I started it. Of course no one would agree on what they wanted (pancakes, eggs and bacon, and hotdogs were all mentioned). So I just decided to whip up some pancakes and some leftover fruit that I cut up for a dessert. The problem was, I started out by rolling an egg off of the counter...just perfect. Then burnt the skillet trying to change the little ones diaper, again. And of course when they were done, no one wanted it, even the one that wanted pancakes. So I sat for 30 minutes at the table listening to them whine about not eating, blah, blah blah. I left and left them there until their food was eaten. Yeah, I'm a mean mom. It was nearly 9:15 before they realized that I really wasn't kidding and they were sitting there until food was done. But in that small amount of time, I managed to wash the dirty dishes, break a mason jar, step in the egg mess twice, spill about a quart of tea on the floor. So I cleaned up all the messes I made, excused the kids, and we let the bunny out to play in the living room. Of course, they are all in there fighting over who gets to hold the bunny and my oldest is yelling at my youngest for talking. So I put up the bunny, no more bunny until you all can get along and share... I offer the let's play outside bargain, they take the bait. Normally, when outside, all goes well. I haul them out to the garden with me so I can weed and pick some treats for the chickens. Today they fought over the last few heads of brocolli, the parsley, and the onions. No wonder I never have any onions once it's time to harvest! So I get everyone out of the garden, split up the broccoli into even pieces, and tell them to play. My oldest has managed to fall and scrape up her knee, putting her in a horrible mood for what I think will be the rest of the day, my youngest has gotten into the mud and tracked it all over the house, and my middle daughter has decided to get out the hose and make a mud pit right in front of the patio where everyone walks. Now it's getting close to lunch and they are all inside again so I can keep track of them while I figure out what to cook.

I'm running on a short fuse today. Not sure if I will have the energy to cope or the patience to deal. It's going to be a bad day. Thanks for listening to my rant, I promise it won't happen again for a while....

 

Do we get vacations!?! If so, how many should I expect? One per year, and since I haven't taken the first 4 years, I could take an extended one? About a month or so? Ahhh, I would miss the little boogers, but probably not the first few days. My husband considers my vacation anytime I get to go grocery shopping without kids. I always go to the Super Walmart about an hour away because the closer one doesn't sell the laundry detergent I like. That also buys me two extra hours of quiet time.

I'm very sorry to hear about your troubles. I am lucky to have whiny little ones I'm sure, but I will also have three teenage girls to deal with (and only one bathroom!). I can't imagine the extra stress of step-children moving back home. It seems that we try to do what's right and end up getting taken advantage of. I remember my mom complaining about my brothers friends coming over and cleaning out the fridge. She finally let my brother know that enough was enough and that if they expected to be fed, then they could be fed by their parents. I'm always the nice one too. Always offering to fix dinners for the family or watch other peoples children, but it seems karma is not on my side...bummer.

I wish you luck with the kids, and I know problems will eventually work themselves out!