Sunday, October 12, 2008

Patient Like Unto a Dish

Typically I'm the type that cannot relax until the house is clean. Once the kids are in bed, I go into "tidy mode" and whirlwind around getting everything in place before I can think about doing anything else. Very rarely do I go to bed with any dishes in the sink. Last night was one of those nights. With Brad out of town (he took Finn with him to Ohio), yesterday was crazy running around preparing for the ward party that I was in charge of (with my friend, Christy). Galla and Paisley both really wanted my attention but were troopers as we ran errands, cooked, set-up, orchestrated, and cleaned up for the party (which was a success, I might add). When we finally got home way past bedtime, I put my little lovies to bed and crashed myself. Yes, with sauce-stained dishes in the sink (and on the stove and on the counter). Also, when we got up this morning there was not time to take care of the dishes before church. And when we got home, wouldn't you know it, those dishes hadn't budged a bit. Funny how that works. As I stared at those dishes waiting patiently to be washed, I thought I could take a lesson from them. Daily I pray for patience with my children. As a SAHM, I struggle with keeping my cool when I repeat the same demands multiple times a day: "don't throw your milk," "keep the door open," "don't put your fingers in Paisley's mouth"--you get the idea. I know that being more patient would make me a better mom. If only I could be more like a dirty dish.

12 comments:

Stephanie said...

oh i like this a lot. i need paitience a lot too and i only have one child! i love reading things like this that help me realize that there are moms like me, we are all doing our best, we all need the lords help, and we are all doing a lot of good! thanks.

Unknown said...

I miss you May. So does Finn. We should change Galla's name to Patiennce. That way we'd be yelling out little reminders to ourselves all day. And Finn Could be Areyoukiddingme. I love you babe.

Robin said...

Maylin, I don't think I became a dirty dish until Jaime was in college. Although, I do realize this might not be very encouraging at this time in your SAHM life, ... it is OK to go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink when hubby is out of town. Heck you deserve to just do nothing and lay around with those little princesses.

Dani said...

Thanks for the reminder!

Claire said...

Glad your first ward activity was a great success. I used to not be able to sleep if there were dishes in the sink... now I go to bed every night with a sink full of dishes and do them in the morning when I have more energy and a better dish-doing-attitude.

Jessie said...

Maylin, I am an Oprah watching girl and the other day there was a show on there abouthow us mothers get so overwhelmed because being a mother is one of the toughest jobs out there!! What I got out of it was just to slow down and to not be so hard on myself!
I've tried not caring if my dishes don't get done till morning or even till afternnon! It actually has made me feel better :) lol But if you ever need me to come over, I will wash them for you :)
xo

Kirstin said...

You mean the Dish Fairy doesn't visit your house either? I would love to be a DIRTY DISH!

The Prigmore Family said...

First of all, it's like you are living my worst nightmare. Dirty dishes that are taking over the kitchen in their sauce stained crustification. I HATE DIRTY DISHES. They don't seem to bother Dan. At all. Great advice. I need the most patience ever. I don't know how you do it with three times the keiki. You should win "a major award" I hope a leg lamp finds it's way into your life somehow.

PS I hope you get that reference. If not you will think I am a loon.

PPS~ How did the babysitting thing go? I never heard if she worked out or not?

Unknown said...

Hi Maylin this is Kristen, I do in fact remember you! Did you live in Carol Hall on the first floor? Isn't it a small world! I really liked this post- I totally can relate to the cleaning thing eventhough I don't have children yet. I am amazed at how disordered things can get in a small amount of time and I simply cannot relax in a mess but I liked the way you likened it to patience!

snbjork said...

Oh, what a good story with a good point! I've honestly quit praying for patience. It feels pointless.

And, thank you for the comment about Galla not eating much and saying that she doesn't like dinner either. It makes me feel so much better knowing that my son isn't just totally weird. I guess we're all weird. Anyway, thanks! =)

Kristy said...

Maylin...you are the cutest! I love you woman!

Jonny said...

Don't worry, I think you're a dirty dish...