It Is Well with My Soul

The popular saying 'Confession is good for the soul,' is familiar to most folks. When I began thinking about this blog post, I did a quick Google search of the quote and discovered something interesting. The original proverb stated, 'Open confession is good for the soul.' Well, the inclusion of this single word made my intended entry all the more appropriate. How could confession be more open than when being expressed via the world wide web?
The proceeding confessions are coming from the voice of a full time stay at home Mommy of two girls, ages 4 and 19 months. I'm also 15 weeks along in my third pregnancy, and, incidentally, my husband spends the majority of the 'work week' in another state. I wish I could say that I'm managing this Mommy Business with total grace and ease, but lately this has just not been the case.
If I were Catholic, I suppose I would begin this list with, 'Forgive me, father, for I have sinned,' (at least this is what I've seen in the movies.) However, since I am not, I will just get down to the business of confession...

• I haven't cooked a real meal for my children in the past two months... Early pregnancy all day nausea + pregnancy and non-pregnancy induced exhaustion + somewhat picky eaters + not having my hubby here for dinner + my own all day long continuous snacking = A Mommy who'd prefer to go out to dinner or serve up some variety of Annie's Mac and Cheese for the kids while I dine on cereal and cookies after they are tucked in bed.
• I don't always mind when my kids are 'bad'... Of course, I'm not proud of the behavior and wish that my angels were always angels, but let's face it, when the kiddos act up there are consequences: consequences that I choose. An appropriate consequence for arguing with Mommy or pushing little sis, could be early bedtime for Carter (which, in turn, means early bedtime for Mommy.) Random acts of violence on the part of Miss Murphy could lead to some calm-down time in her crib (which leads to a 10 minute break for Mommy in which I may actually be able to check my email or even apply a bit of makeup!) 
• I often manipulate help Carter get a treat on her mind just so I can indulge... Ice cream after school, a cupcake from a local bakery, a slice of cake after dinner, something fun from the candy shop... these are all confections that I crave. However, I feel a tad less guilty about indulging when I'm doing it for the kids. I would not likely make a special trip to Whole Foods just for my most favorite angel food cake, but when my darling lil four year old comes up with the idea, how could I possibly say no?
• I sometimes have ulterior motives when I suggest a trip for penny throwing in the fountain... I've not been secretive about the fact that I do not especially enjoy many kid friendly activities. I'm lucky, though, that my girlies love a field trip to the mall and have a great time tossing pennies into the fountain. So, on a rainy day (who am I kidding? it could just as easily be a sunny day) I'll suggest this activity just so I can swing by J. Crew or Anthropologie for some mid-week retail therapy. 
• I've had a babysitter come just so I can catch up on shows on my DVR list... Look, with the kids being bonkers and the hubby being gone and the belly being, well, big, sometimes I just need a break. I don't always have errands to run or appointments to keep, but a break is needed nonetheless. Now and then on these days, I'll simply welcome the sitter and slip into my bedroom for a little me time of the television variety. To add to this confession, I am actually doing so at this very moment though blogging is taking the place of TV viewing. 

This list could go on and on and on, but I must say that I already have a nice refreshing feeling in my soul having gotten these sins off my chest. Perhaps this open confession will become a regular part of my blog.

If you'd like a place to bare your soul, feel free to use the comments section of my blog... you'll be shocked at how good it feels!