Summary of Parenthood

"How do you like being a parent?" We get asked that all the time ... usually by people who are either not married or couples who don't have kids. Because parents know better; they know it's both. "Is it just incredible, or is it terrible?"

D. All of the above.

5:30PM -- The girls greet me at the door with smiles, giggles and arms upraised, asking to be held.
6 -- Still playing with the girls ... lots of laughing, chasing, jumping, spinning...
6:30 -- Dinner for the girls. Spaghetti night.


7 -- Spaghetti will take five minutes to wash off. Then they'll need a bath.
7:30 -- Put them in bed, say our prayers, lots of hugs and kisses.
8, 8:30, 9 -- They're still not asleep. Kayla's in and out of bed, Maddie is upset at her; they both whine. Lots.
9:30 -- We haven't heard whining for about five minutes. Maybe they're asleep.
10 -- Time to do our own thing ... blog, dishes, clean, play catch-up on ten things, edit, relax, you name it.

2AM -- Whining from a certain room. We don't have any pets. My money is on the chilluns.
2:05AM -- I check. "Are you feeling okay?"
2:06 -- Kayla pukes. It wreaks.
2:07 -- Bath time.
2:15 -- Back in bed. Start a load of laundry ... sheets, pillow, the whole bit.
3:30 -- More whining from a certain room.
3:31 -- "What's wrong?"
3:32 -- Puke. Question answered.
3:33 -- One more bath. More laundry started.
3:40 -- Back in bed.
4:45 -- More whining from a certain room.
4:46 -- "Are you still not feeling well?" This time it was Amy to ask the question.
4:47 -- The gurgling starts and Amy holds out her hand to catch the up-chuck. Why? Because we were out of clean sheets, I am told. Still, I know I am a "dad" and she is a "mom" because that never would have crossed my mind. Never.
4:48 -- Third bath of the night. Kayla is happy to splash and play at this point.
4:50 -- Back in bed. More laundry started.
5AM, yes, AM -- The birds are chirping. It's been a long night. And this was on Mother's Day.

Is parenthood glorious? Yes, just alike anything worthwhile. Is it hard? Yes, just like anything worthwhile. It's one of the few inherent epitomes of servanthood that exists. You don't have a choice but to serve, but you get the enjoyment of loving on them and feeling their love back.