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“you won’t have time to cut your toenails,” she told me

I never knew how tiring it would be to parent a toddler, all day, every day.  I’m the primary caregiver… The stay at home mom… The book reader… The cook… The human jungle gym… I am loving this chapter of my life, and of Jack’s life too! It’s just that looking back I think I was a bit on the naïve side.

I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my best friend, Jody. At that time she was the mother to just one, and Jack hadn’t even come into our lives yet.  I stated, with the upmost confidence, that becoming a mother would not change my lifestyle.  I would still manage to get to the salon every 6 to 8 weeks or so for a haircut and color. I’d still enjoy regular shellac manicures and pedicures. We would continue to be regulars at our favorite Sicilian restaurant. And I would still paddleboard at least twice a week!   Chris and I would come up with a system, I explained.  While Jack slept I would suit up my car with everything needed for a two or three hour paddle, Chris would come home from work and I would pass the baton off to him, and off to the lake I would go! We would be the total parenting dream team! And ever so sweetly, in her own Jody way, she just got real with me. 

Well, sweetie, I think it’s great to have goals… But I just want to find time to cut my toenails. Do you hear what I mean? I just want to cut my toenails.

Wow.  I mean, honestly in that moment I thought to myself, Jody you’re doing something wrong girl! 😂😂😂  But as I sit here tonight, I just chuckle at how right she was!  (And she just became mom to Baby No. 3! I don’t know how she does it. God bless you mama!)

Do I miss my perfectly manicured nails and daily spritz of Chanel?  Honestly...Yes, a little bit.  But the season for such things will come again in due time. And until then my days will continue to be filled, dancing to Moana, trips to the zoo, and peanut butter sandwiches. And I’ll keep loving every moment of it. 

-Kristen

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs without fear of the future.”  Proverbs 31:25 💕

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