Consequences

Have you ever noticed as a mother that almost EVERY decision you make has consequences? This morning I stayed in bed until ten. Not asleep mind you, but Shawn and I found a good little movie on TV so we stayed in bed and watched it and I thought I could handle the consequences, (you know the box of frosted flakes the kids decided to eat on the carpet which is now in teeny tiney pieces mushed into the carpet and every crevice of the couch. Or the cupboards that have been ravaged by Kendyll and the pieces of paper she has cut up, or the wrestling, screaming and yelling, that have ensued as a result of children not being able to entertain themselves for more than twenty minutes) But as soon as I came downstairs (mind you not by choice because the movie was over, but because chaos had ensued) I totally lost it and wished instead of spending downtime I had been up since seven am cleaning my house and disciplining my children.

I'm just saying it seems that every choice I make has to be weighed against the consequences of making that choice, and these are small choices, not monumental. Case in point: I am in a hurry and I choose not to put my makeup bag away. Consequence: I come upstairs to find my brand new powder foundation dumped all over my makeup bag and yes, my carpet and my brand new blushed smooshed into the grout in my tile. Another example: I choose to not sit by the bathtub while my girls bathe, but instead come down to make a quick post on my blog. Consequence: Within two minute Kendyll has dumped an entire bottle of shampoo in her hair and is now out of the tub drying it with a towel. Example number three: I choose to ask Britta and Kendyll to choose their own clothes to wear so that I can finish the breakfast dishes. As a result of this choice I enter their room to find at least ten outfits on the floor that they have pulled out of their closet in order to find the perfect ensemble. Fourth example: I choose not to bend over and pick up the button on the floor. Consequence: Baby puts it in her mouth, chokes and dies.

Now these are just some examples of the small things. So what about the big things. What if I choose not to go to church every Sunday, or hold family home evening every Monday night, or forget scripture study or prayer (not that I would ever do these things Mother) but what is the consequence of that: Oh yeah just eternal damnation for myself and my children.

All I am saying is there is a lot of pressure when it comes to being a mother....everything matters. Sometimes it is so overwhelming I don't want to do any of it...but then again I guess I would rather DO IT than pay the freaking consequence.