Oh, my life was busy. 3 kids, a full time job, a full time husband, and part-time college. Why did I ever think I could do it all? My kids, Tera is 16 years old and if you haven't learned yet what a teenager can do to your life you will one day! Jacob is 8 and my only little boy who is stuck between 2 sisters. Little Jessie is our miracle child and will be 3 years old this Saturday. You see, she almost died during birth so we call her our miracle child and rightly so!

So here I am - always trying to be the perfect mommy. The mommy who always has time for her children. The mommy who bakes cookies and home cooked meals. I have now resorted to the mommy who never has time to bake and has turned all the cooking over to my husband. I have also turned into the "grouchy mommy" who is always in a bad mood from lack of sleep. Who is always in a bad mood from lack of time. My little boy, my precious little boy opened my eyes. It is amazing how kids can do that. They are so honest with you and have such a pure heart. Listen to your kids and take to heart what they tell you!

We were getting ready for school, work and daycare and running late as usual. My first drop off is my little boy to 2nd grade. We were half way there and his little voice from the back seat, "Mommy, I forgot my backpack." Here I was with little gas in my car, still needing to take my little one to day care and then somehow get myself to work. Of course, I start yelling at Jacob. (I have to be honest - I am human!) - Why can't you show more responsibility? Do you realize you have just made yourself late to school and me late to work? On and on I went. Then again, that sweet little voice from the backseat - "Mommy, why can't you just be happy again?" "I want my happy mommy back!" Then he started to cry. And he cried and cried. Jacob is not one to show his feelings very well so when he started to cry I knew this was serious. I drove the car home, got the kids out and went inside. First I called my office and said I would not be in today. Next I called Jacob's school and said he would not be in today. Next I called the day care to say that Jessie would not be in today. Next we went to the high school and got my oldest daughter. Do you know what we did? I gave my little boy his happy mommy back. We packed a huge picnic lunch. We went to the park and played all day long. The busy phones at the office forgotten, the undone housework forgotten, the homework waiting for me at home forgotten. Just a mommy and her children playing at the park and having fun.

That is what it is all about. You know, it was all worth it too. At bedtime that night after saying our prayers Jacob wrapped his little arms around my neck and whispered, "Thank you mommy for giving us your day, I love you." I know in the future we will do this more often - I will give my kids a day out of my life - I will give them a day before they grow up and leave me then the only thing I will have to gripe about is that I have too much time on my hands.