I can do hard things

At least, that's what the bumper sticker says.  But can I really?  My day is full starting from the time my feet hit the ground in the morning.  At 56, I still have 7 young kids at home. Our oldest is 18, our youngest is 9.  When my contemporaries are showing pictures of grandchildren and gushing about how cute they are and how they get to send them home when they are tired of playing with them, I'm still kissing bruised knees.  I'm waiting up for my daughter to get home from a date.  I'm going to Parent Teacher Student conferences.  I'm going to work each day and coming home to cook meals for 9 people.  (after making lunch and breakfast for those 9).  I don't get vacations or holidays or sick days.  I do get snuggles and thank you's for payment.  That's pretty decent pay, in my book.

I sit here at the computer listening to my youngest daughter practice the piano while my son complains that he can't hear the TV because of the piano.  Sponge Bob vs. Beethoven.  Who will win?  Then one by one, they wander into my messy office (for who can keep it tidy when so many use it for their own enjoyment?) to inquire of me: What's for lunch?  Can you drive us 30 miles away to the water park? Moooooommmmmm, he's looking at me! We're out of Laundry Soap.  Can I use the car to go hang out with my friends? Mom? Can I? Can I? Can I?   Anyone who has more than one child, knows this drill. 

7 kids, 3 dogs, 2 cats and 5 fish.  Toss in a husband for good measure, and you have our family.  We struggle, we succeed, we fail we get up and start over.  Is this the life I signed up for?  No.  But it's the life I have and there's no turning back on it.  My fantasy of being financially set, and living in a nice home with nice things is not my reality.  Each day brings on a new challenge for us.  Sometimes we have to pick ourselves up several times a day.  But we do it.  We pick ourselves up, sweep up the mess and press forward. 

I can do hard things. I've done hard things and I will continue to do even harder things.