Where have the last 6,663 days gone?

So 9 days ago I wrote this post.  It has taken me 9 days to find enough time to post it.  Remember that as you read this.  Remember that 3 of my adorable children are all sitting in time out as I finish this up, they have sucked on batteries, played with a water gun in my house, my toddler finger painted with poop, they have argued, yelled at each other and said work was done when lets face they never started it.  I have dishes piled in my sink, I haven't showered, eaten breakfast or even gotten dressed.  The older kids who everyone says helps me and thus makes my life easier are either still in bed or at school  for Cross Country practice since 7 am this morning.  Let me say it now I haven't forgotten anything.  I am still right in the middle of it and couldn't be happier!!!

  What I'm going to say, some of you don't want to hear. Actually after reading an article recently some of you will be so mad you will "want to hold my head under water." You see today I dropped my son off at the MTC (missionary training center) to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lubbock, Texas for two years. All I can keep thinking is, "But wait what happened to the last 18 years? I am not old enough to be a missionary Mom! I am not!! I am not!!! I AM NOT!!!" That went by so unbelievably fast. It really does seem like last week I sent him off to Kindergarten and was so sad and worried that I volunteered in his class almost every single day. Some of what we've been through I wouldn't want to go back and do again. Actually a lot!! I'm not saying it was easy. At times, I tried to turn in my two-weeks notice. Actually, I remember more than once asking about boarding schools, and I've threatened to sell him to the traveling gypsies at least monthly. I wanted to follow him to school and beat up some bullies or hide behind a bush and whisper to him what to say to help him make friends. I've gone to the talent show and cheered him on when he played Yankee Doodle Dandy on the piano or when his talent was shooting hoops and he missed every single one. I was still there with a big smile recording every single missed shot. I sat through all his basketball games, and I was there when, even though he is a great shot now, he didn't make the team. He has made me proud to be his Mom, and he's taught me so much about life and has truly helped make me who I am today.

About day 4.

Day 6,663

 So I guess as I read the article about the parent who is right in the beginning of the crazy parenting years that you aren't sure you will survive, I had a different perspective. A much different perspective. Now remember I have 7 kids.  Four of them are elementary and younger. So I haven't forgotten anything! And if you are thinking, "yeah, but she has older kids who help," let me ask you this, have you ever heard anyone say, "teenagers make everything so much easier?"  No? I didn't think so!! I love my teenagers, but they DON'T make my life easier. Fun, crazy, exciting and very expensive but not easier. My perspective is... I have been right by his side for the last 6,663 days. 6,663 days I have been his mom. I've nagged him, cried with him, cried because of him, cheered him on and yelled at him, I've loved him and been proud of him. 6,663 seems like a lot. And it is!! I survived!!! I've earned my first parent "Black Belt" I will always be his Mom and from what I hear it's harder when they return from their mission. Or at least it's different. Think of it this way if he lives to be 80 years old he will have been alive for 29,200 days. That means that for 22,544 days of his life he will be an adult. That's 22,544 days that I have to just sit back and hope and pray that he will do what he knows to be true. Pray that the world will teach him to be strong, but go easy on him along the way. Pray that he knows that whenever he needs someone I will always try to be there, but God WILL always be there. Pray that people are kind, but more important that he will be kind. 6,663 seems like a very small number to me now. That means I only had 6,663 days to teach him everything he needed to know to become a mature, responsible, kind, self motivated, intelligent, God fearing, loving adult. That's not a lot of days to implant in him a love of God, love of country and pride in himself and what he can become, but teaching him humility and a sense of humor all at the same time. Now he is on his own. Now all I am and can really share is an opinion. Well and lots and lots of love. 

My Mom and Dad on their 19,795th day of parentingand and Me on my 6,659th day of parenting

 So enjoy them, really enjoy them. On that day when even Chocolate doesn't help and you know you have to wake up and do it all again tomorrow and you are afraid you will be doomed to repeat the same day forever. Stop, take a deep breath and remember they grow up fast! I feel I can say that now. I've worked my butt off for the last 18 years, 2 months and 27 days, 951 weeks, 218 months or 6,663 days. I know I will always be his Mom and he isn't gone. I will still give him my opinion when he probably won't want it. Even though I want to, I can't follow him on his mission, to college or to a job. Now don't feel bad for me. I still have 6 kids living at home. One might say 1 down 6 to go. I am a parent of a missionary, one in High School, one in Jr. High, two in elementary, one in pre-school and a toddler. Now when I'm at the store and one is asking for everything he can see and they are crying and throwing one temper tantrum after another and "an older parent walks by and says, "enjoy them while you can, they grow up fast," I smile and say, "oh trust me I know and I am!!" I am enjoying every single day!!! Some days more than others, but I'm enjoying them. Besides I only have 5,868 days left. But who's counting?