How to know when you're the mother of a toddler....

A. You find your cell phone in the dishwasher after searching the house high and low.
B. You wonder where all your silverware is going, only to catch your toddler throwing a fork away one morning.
C. You clean up a urine spot off the floor after letting your toddler run around naked for LESS THAN A MINUTE.
D. You have to sneak cookies, chips or soda when your toddler isn't looking, because now they always want to eat and drink what you're eating and drinking.
E. Your nice, clean, cream colored dining room chair cushions aren't so nice and clean anymore due to sticky toddler hands and faces. *sigh*
F. Just when you think you're finished with the laundry for a few days......think again.
G. You discover a roll of toilet paper in the toilet.
H. Your bathtub floor is littered with bath toys. ALL THE TIME.
I. You find hidden objects such as pens and small toys in your plants.
J. You never knew how easily the keys to your laptop could pop off. (and back on, thank goodness)
K. You have to flip a cushion in your living room chair because your toddler got ahold of an ink pen without you knowing.
L. You don't realize how quickly your toddler can climb until one day you take a phone call and then find your little one sitting on top of the dining room table!
M. You can't keep your front glass door clean because of little handprints.
N. You quickly realize how fast time flies and how old you're getting!!!
O. Your toddler knows how to get your toothbrush out of the drawer and you catch them scrubbing the floor with it one day. However, you simply take it, wash it off and put it back in the drawer. A few germs never hurt anyone.
P. You swore you'd never use your child's first name AND middle name when they got in trouble (like your parents did to you!), but you find yourself doing it quite often!

But the best thing about being the mother of a toddler....

Is that my little one is always happy to see me, has an endless supply of wet kisses for me, strong hugs and sweet laughter.

Life doesn't get any better.

Just when I think I'm having a bad day...

Just when I get frustrated that the house isn't as clean as I'd like it to be....
Just when I get frustrated that Adilynn is pulling and tugging me all day long......
Just when I get upset at my husband because he's late and dinner is getting cold.....
Just when I look at other's and think "wow, if only I had that".......
Just when I start to wish I had more "things" and a bigger house.....
Just when I get irritated that someone cut me off in traffic......
Just when I start to think I'll go crazy if I clean Adilynn's highchair one more time.....
Just when I start to wonder how in the world the laundry baskets fill up so quickly......


I think of her. And I think of her mom, who is living every mother's worst nightmare. What mother doesn't pray from the moment her child is born that God will have to take her from this life before He takes her child. Because us mothers know that life without our babies would be the worst scenario this life could offer.

So, I am humbled by reading about Gracie and I realize exactly just how good I have it.

Goodnight Gracie.