Twisting, Lifting and Bending

Let me add myself to the numbers of LDS women pondering on and even blogging about Elder Ballard's Sunday afternoon General Conference talk. There were many things he said that touched me, and once I can review the text on Thursday I will probably have more to say.

There was one point he made that has been on my mind. He said that as of late he has realized how much twisting, lifting, and bending his wife has done around the house over the years. As many people do, I compared this to my own life. I regretfully admit that Janson probably does more of the twisting, lifting and bending around the house than me. (How sad, when he spends much less time at home than me.) And he is fully aware of the work I do accomplish because I make sure it is known to him.

In those few sentences Elder Ballard motivated me to do more of the twisting, lifting and bending, and to do it quietly, without the need for recognition.

The Stay Sane Part

If you've read my bio in the left-hand column, this post is connected to the "stay sane" part. More specifically, my not doing such a good job of staying sane.

Today Janson started a four-week rotation in Milwaukee. Luckily he can stay here and make the 40 minute commute everyday. I have avoided thinking about the months he will be living out-of-state. It was a 16-hour work day for him today, and it looks like he has four-more weeks of that schedule. Most likely several more months of that schedule, give or take a few hours. I feel for him being gone so much and spending those hours being physically and mentally exhausted. I have been spoiled because he only worked three days out of the last two weeks. Today reality set in, and I did okay until 8:15pm when both girls had reached their limit, along with their mother. Somehow we made it through the first three years of podiatry school, but now the last and hardest stretch is beginning. If I look ahead even two weeks from now I am overwhelmed- I can only think about today and tomorrow. I think I will gain a deeper appreciation for the many single parents out there, along with the military moms.

As I spend more time at home and less with Janson or adults in general, this blog will become more valuable. So this post is basically a preamble for the posts to come. My goal is to watch for, or even deliberately produce, moments of laughter in my day... even for the simple reason of writing it down here for others to enjoy. Being a mother can be hilarious, and I'm glad I can stay home and experience the moments of laughter with my children.

Mr. Mom

Today was one of those days when I think that motherhood is the hardest job on the planet. I was feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by noon. My husband came home to clutter and craziness.

Tonight Janson watched the girls for five hours while I did temple baptisms with the youth. That is the longest yet I've been away from Mari. By the time I reached the three hour mark, I was sure Janson was at home going crazy. Mari got her two month shots today so she was unusually cranky. Grace, also, has recently been perfecting her art of tantrums. For the last two hours I sporatically tried to call my husband, with no response. I took this to mean that he was too overwhelmed to answer the phone. To my surprise I came home to find a quiet infant, sound-asleep toddler, calm husband, clean living room and spotless kitchen. Wow! As I surveyed the kitchen I couldn't help but question my capabilities as a mother. Mr. Mom obviously has some things figured out that I don't.