Off-duty.

   This one goes out to all the late-night-counter-wipers.  The potato-mashers, the meatball-makers, the bathe the babies one at a timers.  This one is for the rule-makers, the babysitter finders, and the owie-kissers.  I never knew how much you sacrificed.  I never knew what it felt like to give until it hurt, until I became one of you.  I never knew how good it felt to tuck them into bed, and pour yourself a glass of something bubbly and sit down to a favorite show with a giant bowl of popcorn like I'm about to now.  That's a glass of sparkling juice, for all of you who were about to give me a N.U.I.  (Nursing under the influence). 

   That's where I found myself tonight.  Frantically picking up toys and lonely socks and up to my elbows in Dawn dishsoap scrubbing at leftover dishes from my meatball/mashed potato/broccoli salad extravaganza.  But you know what?  That feeling of accomplishment?  When the babies are tucked into bed, and the food is tucked into the fridge and freezer and you sit down to take in a little Parenthood with my famous, 3-seasoning popcorn?   

Sooooo worth it. 

  Yes there is a laundry basket still sitting in the living room.  After all, even us super-moms can't do it ALL, all the time. :)