The laundry piles up and I think I’m going to be swallowed by it.
The floors are littered with a stray used diaper, Legos and mismatched socks.
Boot prints from the foot of snow outside line the front hall.
The kitchen sink overflows with dishes and the dishwasher is full.
Lunches need to be made, notes need to be written to teachers and library books need returned.
The phone rings, the cell phone beeps, the dogs need to be let out.
Why does my bathroom always smell like pee even though I just cleaned it?
Why am I still changing diapers?
My husband might lose his job, I make a pittance, we’re saving every penny like mad.
No more Starbucks, no more cleaning lady, no more lunches out with Matty on Friday for a while until we know what’s going on for sure.
It would be easy to throw my hands up and say “It’s too much! I can’t handle it! I wish it would all stop!” But instead I think…
A mountain of laundry means my house is filled with lost of little and big bodies that belong to people I love.
The Legos mean there are little boy hands building in my house and the diaper means I have a healthy daughter.
The boot prints mean we are all healthy enough to go outside and play in the gorgeous, thick snow.
A sink full of dishes means there was enough money to buy food and everyone has a full belly.
School stuff means the kids go to school each day and love it and learn so much.
The dogs provide us with so much joy; I’m thankful I have friends and family that call my phone.
The scent of pee means I have two beautiful boys that are independent enough to go potty.
Matt may not have a job, but we are healthy and will make it.
No more “treats” but I have a family I love, we all have our health and a home. What more do we need?
That is reality.
Elastamom's Excerpts 
I often feel overwhelmed by the same things! Thankyou for a different view and a little perspective xx
I love this post! I really need to start looking at things differently… I think I’m going to just relax and play with the kids today and let the laundry pile up a bit more 🙂
Thinking of you all with Matt’s job!
Wow, this is awesome!! Thanks for the reminder of what is important in life and what isn’t!
Silver lining in every cloud…
I think it helps us get through it, but the trick is finding the reality of it all and not dwelling on the negative, bad and crappy things that are being presented. Don’t get me wrong, you have to realize they are bad, but as you said…it’s the reality of it all. What does it really mean.
Once again…nice reality check!
Tiffany, you always make me feel like I’m not the only one that gets overwhelmed sometimes. My laundry seems to always be spilling over and once I wash and fold it, it sits on the back of my couch until I absolutely have to put it away because I don’t have the time to walk it upstairs. But you are right, at least I know that I have the people that I love making those dirty clothes, most of which are used by the kids that always seem to get them super dirty. But they are having fun, so I put my big girl pants on, get up extra early to get the day started so I am not quite so overwhelmed. It’s not working quite yet, but perhaps one day it will. I’m thinking about Matt and hoping he doesn’t loose his job.
I needed this today. We aren’t doing so hot and of course the car is in the shop – that’s ALL we need. Thanks for keeping it positive Tiffany!
Love this!!! It takes a special person to be able to see the positive side of the everyday frustrations that can bring us down so low. Thank you for posting this!!!
When Jer was laid off/unemployed our marriage became stronger- We finally realized what really matters in life and how much we DID have :)It sounds like you are ahead of the game! And…if for some terrible reason Matt does loose his job, just think… Your house will be extra clean since Matt will be home to help and you and the kids will get some well-deserved extra time to spend with him! Thinking of you all 🙂
The way you choose positivity, even when faced with incredible obstacles, is such an inspiration to me. Truly.
You’re right. I’ve said before, your own worst is never THE worst. Still, sometimes it can feel pretty crappy. I like the way you’ve turned it around today…
Super true. And you know… I found that the less money we made, the less we spent, and the less we actually NEEDED to spend. We still made it. You will too!
I love your outlook! You are so positive and it is contagious!
Fabulous outlook!
What a perspective Tiffany. I admire your optimistic outlook. You go girl!
This is beautiful. You could stop and dwell on how much all of it sucks. Instead you see the other side of the coin – the beautiful sunset so to speak. I hold out good thoughts for you all that Matt’s job will be saved.
Perhaps lunch out on Friday with Matty could turn into lunch at the McVay’s on Friday and playdate with Keegan;) I know there would be no complaints from our house!
All I can say is HELL, YEAH! That’s the way to do it!
I heard a brilliant man once say “don’t get angry when you see little hand prints on the windows you just cleaned, instead let them stay because one day those small hands will grow and you will miss the tiny prints.” You summed it up pretty good too! It is fun when you can find the joy in everything huh?!?