This Really Is My Life

Last updated on: August 22, 2014 at 3:47 pm by Rebecca Frech

This Really Is My Life 2014-08-22T15:47:24-05:00 Rebecca Frech

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ever have one of those days that begins with the baby painting herself and the walls with Vaseline? That’s how my day started. Vaseline. Everywhere. The thing about petroleum jelly is that it isn’t water soluble. It also isn’t soap soluble. That makes it kinda hard to get off of stuff. In case you’re wondering, it’s vinegar and water, bleach, and a lot of scrubbing.

That was my day. Although it didn’t honestly begin that way. It really started at 3:30 when the neighbor’s dog was sprayed by a skunk. More than once. Did I mention that my windows were open? It’s not the best way to wake up.

That skunk spent a few hours hiding out under the bush in front of our house. Thank goodness I looked out of the window before walking out the front door to the car, or this would be a much more exciting blog post. Trapped in the house with 6 kids (the eldest had gotten out without being spotted by the skunk) we of course ran out of milk, dog food, and diapers. Tea towels can double as diapers in a pinch. You never know when you’ll need that information.

With a household that reeked of skunk, we closed the windows (to not let more in) and fired up the scentsy candle thingies. I’m sure that’s the technical term. I just knew the stench was gone until my neighbor dropped by after lunch. (I don’t know where the skunk was by then. I think he
left.) She walked into my house and sniffed loudly a few times. Her eyes got wide and she pulled me away from the kids to ask “Have you been cooking butter?” I was confused until she finished “You know. Pot butter for brownies? I had no idea you were that girl.” While the naughty side of me was a teensy bit thrilled at the new I-didn’t-think-you-had-it-in-you look on her face, I explained about the skunk.”Oh, that makes more sense.” Once she left, I threw those windows open to air this sucker out and sternly warned my children to not do anything to attract police attention because apparently my house smells like a pot house. Is there even such a thing? I don’t know, and I feel like I should know especially if my house is going to smell like one!

It was while I was dealing with skunk and my dog who was half crazed with wanting to eat that skunk that the baby had time to paint herself and the walls with Vaseline. Can I still call her a baby if she’s almost two? Is there a statute of limitations on that kind of thing? Are there rules? Does anyone know them?

The afternoon passed in a blur of schoolwork that was delayed by the morning’s excitement. I had a discussion with the 13 year old about plagiarism. Did you know that it’s not plagiarism if you’re just copying down the information that you need for school? Me neither. Three pages of there’s-no-way-in-anywhere-that-you-wrote this. The 11year old was enraptured by the mad musical skills of Yo Gabba Gabba (no Mom, that’s not the name of that nice Asian fellow who plays the cello, but it’s nice that you’re paying attention.) I’m not sure what kind of mind control is in that show, but it sucks them in every time.

It just goes on from there. You get it, I’m sure, plus it’s after 10:00 and I’m tired because this is my life. It’s weird and unpredictable. It’s exhausting and frustrating. There are days like today where I spend the whole day not liking children and being the mother of seven of the little things….and then…

Then it’s time for bedtime prayers and they all pile onto the sofa together. The 9year old sits at my feet, one boy snuggles in on either side of me, and the baby climbs into my lap and they fold their hands in prayer. The 4 year old begs to lead every night and in his little boy voice begins “In the name of the Father, and of the Son….”

And I sigh with deep satisfaction because this is my life too, and it’s not such a bad one after all.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

September 24, 2013

Finding the Work-Around

Next Post

September 30, 2013 This Homeschooling Moment...

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Jude say Enoch prophesied about?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The end of the world The coming Messiah The flood The Lord coming with thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone