Much Ado About Nothing
July 2, 2009 
About a week ago, after a long hot day, the evening was relatively quiet. Mr. Blue Eyes was outside with the kids, and I was perched up in our nest occupying myself with something or other -- reading blogs on the computer or reading about canning, no doubt -- when I looked out the window and noticed a few storm clouds gathering, the wind picking up and the sky turning a strange shade of orange.
Right about that time, Mr. Blue Eyes and the babies had returned to the nest, and the wind continued with it's abruptly strong gusts.
We decided that it would be best to head nearer to the basement at that point. We grabbed the babies and headed down the stairs.
Thankfully we never had to make it that far, as the wind subsided and the dark clouds gusted away just as quickly as they came. Maybe it was an over-reaction, but when you have two little ones to care for, there's a tornado watch after a hot day, and the sky turns orange and the wind picks up... You can just never be too careful.
I kind of felt the same way today, emotionally speaking. All day I felt like I was preparing for something or dealing with some sort of challenge that seemed to add up to an over-reaction. It was a lot of busy work that was getting me nowhere. I was trying to get some work done on the computer this morning, but the internet and my computer were both acting up a bit, so it took me waaaaay longer than it normally would. I wanted to make these cupcakes, but realized that I was out of cake mix. I found another recipe for chocolate cupcakes that I wanted to try, but then realized that I was out of cupcake liners.
And for some reason -- probably because I wanted to make the cupcakes for Miss Peaches' upcoming 1st birthday -- the liners were really important to me. I just couldn't wrap my mind around making the cupcakes without them.
This was all entertwined with caring for the little ones, hashing out where we were going to put up hay with Mr. Blue Eyes over the phone, and doing laundry. It was just one of those days where I felt like I was running to get nowhere.
I have moments like that, when I feel like I never really accomplish anything... Like my life is the same day that just repeats itself. There are things that I do over and over -- like picking up toys, washing dishes and doing laundry -- that seem to amount to nothing.
Then I remember, even though one day sometimes is indistinguishable from the next, and it all adds up to nothing, that what it really adds up to is...
...everything.
Reader Comments (6)
I'm sitting here smiling at my computer.
You are absolutely right. That's what counts at the end of the day.
Oh, gosh I think you nailed what most of us parents feel like... seems so routine day after day... but then looking back you realize all these 'unimportant' day-to-day events are what make our kids who they are when they grow up... because they had parents who loved them enough to make a routine life and take care of them day-after-day!
Great pictures and sentiments! I hope you got to make the cupcakes. I don't even have children and I have days where I don't feel like I accomplish anything, either! :)
Those are some seriously beautiful pictures! And you and your kids and Mr. Blue Eyes are so adorable! I hope you are enjoying your adventure in MN!
You are so right, Girl! All those days add up to one big patchwork quilt of life! Think of each day as a single square and all together they make one big beautiful, one-of-a-kind, cozy quilt that gets passed on from generation to generation! Yes, there are the squares that are all the same, but when put together with the others, a lovely and intricate pattern emerges!
Teri - What a nice thought... I know that some day soon we will be more settled and will look back on this crazy time and just shake our heads and laugh.