My unPlanned Blessings: Sometimes it's Just Another Manic Weekday

I have been craving sleep with a slightly serious desperation... And my children have been too, but they just haven't come to that realization... yet. I pray they come to that realization soon! Maddie may actually have a semi-understandable excuse because she might possibly be teething. Tucker, well, he's two- which isn't an excuse- it's the CAUSE. Oh defiance, you are not a mother's friend, but for some reason you enter into our lives when our children enter their toddler years and I am beginning to think we may not see the end of you...

Last night Tucker had a nightmare- so I brought him into our room to calm him down. The kids don't get to sleep with us, but so far when Tuck has a bad dream it helps him to be held for ten minutes and then he will go back to bed no problem... Y e a h, being in bed immediately commenced in making tents out of the sheets, kicking me in the ribs, and digging elbows into my chest... Send him back to bed. Enter morning. While trying to keep Maddie happy and pleasant until it was time for her morning nap (she has been a little off today) I suddenly realize that Tucker is no longer using his crayons to color his coloring book... He's expanded his definition of "coloring book" to anything immobile, namely walls. Maddie down for nap, screaming. Tucker prepped for lunch, and commence disassembling almond butter and jelly sandwich. End lunch. Begin clean up of jelly-butter covered toddler. Get covered with the splashes of water my loving child bestows on me. Put the two-year old down, commence running around, accompanied with pleadings by mommy to not wake sissy. Enter daddy (I swear that entrance needs a super-hero theme song). Tucker melts down in tears when daddy goes upstairs- cue nap time!

Four hours later? Tucker has successfully torn a part his room from top to bottom- no nap has been taken, but disciplines have been administered. Maddie has awoken, eaten, played, screamed, and gone down for afternoon nap. Mommy has attempted to eat lunch, played "Manic Monday" chorus in head on repeat, and discovered the relaxing power of instagram. All while praying for the grace of God and His hand to go before me this day- befriend patience, choose joy, and sometimes let the schedule get sent through the disposal. After all, what would life be without a little bit of crazy now and again? And again. And again. And again...

An illustrated survival guide to manic weekdays: