Breathe. Yell. Breathe. Repeat.

It's funny how crazy life can be.  Our kids go back to school in 5 days and there is soooo much to do. Four of my five kids are girls, so I've got lots of hair to take care of.  Morgan wanted her hair braided with extensions.  I know how to do it, but don't necessarily enjoy all that braiding, but I got it done.  Milan, who cries when I brush her hair needed her roots touched up, because, yes, she has a relaxer to make it less stressful when I have to comb her hair.  Madison wants braids too, and I'll have to do that later on today.  Mykayla, whose hair is much like mine, which is curly, had to condition her hair so I could really moisturize it so she can wear her curls out.  I need to get ready so I can start teaching piano in September, my son has football practice every day after school beginning next week,  I have wonderful customers who placed orders that are due this weekend, and I haven't even bought one pencil or notebook for the kids' school supplies!  

So, yeah, it's a lot, and I haven't even mentioned everything on my "to-do" list, but if I don't give myself permission to sit down in between all the stuff, it's likely that I'll be going off on somebody.  I dream of being the kind of mom who just has it together.  You know the kind I mean.  She's up super early, has her devotional time with The Lord.  Then she has breakfast about done by the time her kids and husband are finished dressing.  She sees everyone off to school and work, then hits the gym, and runs errands--all while smiling and telling people "God bless you"!  She is a virtuous woman--a true crown to her husband.  All laundry is done, and by the time the kids get home, there is fresh baked bread coming out of the oven, or brownies made from scratch....well, the baking part, I kinda have, because, well,  I'm a baker! LOL!!  Anyway, her attitude is like a breath of fresh air.  She never gets annoyed with he kids' bickering.  She simply gives them the tools to hash it out and keep loving each other.  She's active in her church, and even has time to help out at school, and her husband spends much of the day thanking God for his perfect wife.

Yeah, right!  The truth is that sometimes I feel like packing my stuff and leaving for at least a few days.  Let my family miss me and realize how hard I work!  I do end up yelling things like "STOP FIGHTING OR YOU'RE BOTH IN TROUBLE!!!!"  or "Somebody, find my cell phone and my other slipper!!!"  I am not always graceful.  Sometimes I have my shirt on inside out and I'm wearing a pair of raggedy shorts, and my hair is way out of place.  I am loud.  Ask my kids.  I laugh loud.  I make silly faces at them.  I make mistakes-sometimes big ones.  I am perfectly imperfect! The thing is, I like me.  I'm okay with my imperfect self, because I am striving to reach that place that God is calling me to.  And at the end of the day, I love God most of all, my family comes next, and my dreams, endeavors, and visions, along with my businesses come third.  One of these days, I'll be in a hammock on the beach.  Today, it might just be sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee, after I've yelled at the kids for fighting over who's turn it is to wash the dishes.  But life is still sweet.