Five minutes peace

(a mini shout out to my sisters Laura and Jenna, who never went a day without reading this book a trillion bazillion times)

Five minutes. It's all I ask.

Five to stop and think. To collect my thoughts.

Five to make a plan, to figure out what comes next, to put supper in the oven.

Five minutes without wiping up baby spit off the floor and cleaning up hot chocolate and marshmallows from the carpet.

But wait. Is that really what I want?

Do I really want five minutes to rid myself of children and responsibilities and a sour milk-smelling shirt?

Would I really trade this life for one of pedicured toes and the cutest heeled shoes I can imagine? And time to shop without curbing a meltdown and scrambling for a pacifier?

Truth is, I wouldn't trade this life for the world. I am thankful for the yucky times to make me a even more grateful spirit for those "I la loo" and grins. There are women all across the world praying for the chance to change diapers and burp their very own babies. To be the mom who can survive a toddler tantrum and whisper goodnight to their sweet little ones.

I am that lucky. I was given two sweet little souls to watch over, to nurture, and to love. To survive the good and the bad.

And when I find myself with "five minutes peace", I realize (just like Mrs. Large, the mama elephant in the book) that my kids and my hustle and bustle are what make my life so sweet.

And I wouldn't trade these two little smugs for anything in the world. THAT is something to be thankful for.

(Now go get that book. Yes, it's that good right Laura and Jenna?)