moms don't get a day off

Today is my birthday.
Today has also been one of the craziest, busiest (is that a word?) days I've had in a while.

I woke up to see Marko and Sam off to a dr. appt (thanks for letting me sleep in a little, honey!) then got Ava up and ready to go to Preschool Co-op.
But, before heading there I had to run by the store and pick up a few things for the class.
Co-op was a zoo today (read: lots of hyper 3-5 yr olds!) and I was short on patience (for reasons I'll disclose later) making it all the sweeter when I was done. After Co-op I dropped the kids off at home with Marko and ran some more errands that needed to get done today.

On the way to my last stop I got a frantic text from Marko
"Help! Ava has poop all up her back and in her hair!"
Nice.

So home I sped (not literally) to clean up the pooped on floor, while Marko bathed Ava. Marko left and I attempted to take a little time for myself (it is my birthday after all!) but, Sam asked me to read him a book...or 10.
Sigh.

Sure, Buddy. Let's read some books.

And then it hit me.

Mom's don't get a day off.

I mean sure, we can physically leave for a little while and get a much needed break.
But by virtue of being a mom, we are always on call.
Birthdays,
Mother's Day,
Christmas,
Thanksgiving...
on call.

Not that I'm complaining.
I willingly surrendered my "me time" when I signed up to be a mom.
I believe that fulfilling the call as a mom is the greatest thing I can do. Training up little people to love the Lord and become productive members of society is a HUGE task.
And I love a challenge. 

It was just a gentle reminder from the Lord that "there is no greater love than to lay your life down for a brother"...or munchkin.

So, Happy Birthday to me.
And thank you, Lord for all the blessings that this life offers me.
Even the little ones that interrupt "me time." 
And chocolate cake with chocolate chips inside.