I am that mom.

After a week of vacation, it was really hard to roll out of bed this morning. I muttered about how I wish it were summer vacation so I could sleep in. Until the kids got on the bus and I remembered about my much quieter house. I am that mom. Kaija has boogies caked on her nose. I am that mom, too. Yesterday she was out on the deck with her diapy and a t-shirt. Oh, man! I am that mom, too?! And if you witnessed us in church yesterday: Yep, I am that mom, too. But you already knew that one.

My house is a mess, yet decently clean under the stuff. (That doesn't apply to the kitchen floor.) There are almost always dishes in the sink and it doesn't bother me. I don't always keep my temper in check- that bothers me. I have laundry piled up. My bed is always made. My checkbook balanced. My kids are loud. The baby is allowed to walk around the house with food in her hand. Any kid older than the baby doesn't get that privilege. The garbages sit, overflowing, until someone gives in. There is almost always milk in the fridge, bread in the cupboard, fruit on the counter, you get the picture. But the kids homework isn't always done. I have, on more than one occasion, thrown out school papers that need to be returned. I am always happy to get the kids to bed so I can relax at the end of the day. Out of laziness, I sometimes buy the prepacked lunch stuff/snacks for my kids. And I don't even make their lunches- they do. I encourage independence. My kids bedrooms are never presentable. I usually have a thick layer of dust on all flat surfaces that don't see traffic of any type. These flat surfaces also collect a variety of items that don't belong there: a brush, comic book, rubber bands, pens, you get the picture. We like to share hugs in this house. And we try to eat our veggies.

Oh, yes, I am that mom. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Unless, of course, you are giving me a housekeeper. That, I'd consider.