A cozy mess

It’s Saturday afternoon; I'm cooking up a storm in the kitchen; a triple batch of homemade nuggets for the kids, beef stew for friends with a newborn, pattying out burgers for the twins upcoming birthday potluck. My husband is making sourdough between playing with our toddler. We’re both juggling babies.

It’s chaotic, to say the least. I feel soft baby hands grab my leg, my baby boy raises an eyebrow at me and laughs, like he really knows something. I look over at my baby girl sitting on the floor, she smiles at me, then shoves who-knows-what into her mouth. My toddler is pulling up a chair to help me cook. There is not a clean surface in the whole house. The all-too familiar anxiety rises as it often does to match the chaos.
Now both babies are pulling up on my legs. My toddler is making it “snow” and suddenly there is flour everywhere.

I take a breath, force my brain to relax and recognize our cozy home and full life. The kitchen is messy, but it’s warm. Our babies are milling about, entertained by mere kitchen spoons and Tupperware. No one is crying or whining at the moment, the house smells good. My toddler starts singing Christmas songs.

My husband swoops in, gives me a wink and whisks all 3 kids away for playtime.
Their voices and little squeals are my favorite songs to listen to. I smile as I wash the never-ending pile of dishes.
It is a good day. It is a good life

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