Twenty Two Years of Being Mom

It is funny how time changes people.  When I first married, I cleaned our house every Saturday without fail.  Now I'm lucky to get one Saturday of cleaning in a month.  My first child never left the house dirty.  Ever.  My second child never left the house dirty or unkempt or even mismatched.  Neither did my third. Their hair was always brushed and their faces were always cleaned.   The same applied for me.  Until.

I'm just not sure when it all happened.  When did I stop caring that Seth and Jack only combed their hair on Sundays before church?

When did I stop caring that my children's clothes did not match anymore?

Or even if they wore clothes at all?

Or that they wear their sweatpants backwards because there is a whole in knee?

I think the fifth child was the magic number.  I gave up trying to be all things.  I gave in.  I now let them wear whatever they want.  Look however they want.  I don't even check them before we leave the house.

Eva has worn these same clothes for 3 days straight (although she has bathed in between).

I actually let her wear this out in public today.  I didn't care.  We went to Wally World.  We fit right in.

If you look closely, Joy has left over-spaghetti on her face. 

I'm not quite sure what to make of Ivy's attire?  A couple of sweatshirts?  Why not just wear a coat?  And white ankle socks with Mary Janes and pants too short? 

Even I looked a little rough.  I've been sick since March 8th.  Puffy, itchy, red eyes, a cough, and I have a deep, raspy voice.  It is hard to see in the photo, but even a friend saw me in the store and told me I looked sick.  

But, at least my clothes were clean and they matched.

But, I can get my act together when it counts.  I can get these kiddos looking good and clean.

All hope is not lost after the 5th child.