12.09.2007

If Life Were Easy It Wouldn't Be Hard

I know I have been MIA for awhile. . . but for good reason. This last week has been one CRAZY week. Yes CRAZY all capitalized!

Started with my sweet boy washing his hands "all by himself". I had been working on the advent calendar below, and had all of my scrapbook supplies out (all still in boxes), and sitting underneath the bar/kitchen counter. It (the bar) separates our kitchen and tv room.

Isaac's hand washing turned into a water fight with the living room (using the kitchen sink sprayer). To make a long story short Isaac won! Most of my paper was ruined, and Mike and I got to soak up a lot of water out of the carpet.

A few days later, it was Ainsley's turn. I had just finished painting over permanent marker (you remember that story) and set the half gallon of paint on the floor. I put the lid back on, but not hammered. Isaac and I then started to paint the kitchen table. Ainsley had been busy playing with toys in the other room. Isaac and I were just about done when I looked down to see Ainsley pick up the paint can and dump it all over her head, and proceeded to spill the entire contents over herself and all over the kitchen floor.

I grabbed her ran her to the bathroom, stuck her in the bathtub so she couldn't escaped and ran back to scoop up as much of the paint as I could. I then ran back to Ainsley who was screaming in the bathroom. Took off her clothes and wiped her down just enough to not get paint anywhere, and went to go clean up the other mess.

As I was rounding the corner I saw Mayzie (one of the dogs I am watching) heading my way. My heart sank. . . "Oh no, I forgot about the dogs!" I walked into the living room to see Maverick (the other dog) doing some kind of mambo with little yellow paw prints trailing behind him.

So now I had two crying children (Isaac was mad at Ainsley for crying and taking me away from our project), Ainsley was still mad about being covered in paint, a yellow kitchen floor, a yellow bathtub, and yellow paw printed carpet! Where to begin. . .

I will say I am thankful that it takes a lot for me to loose my temper, helping me to think a little more clear. I also had fresh on my mind the previous day's Oprah show. It had been about the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff", and about living life to the fullest and how you would want to spend your last minutes of your life. Meaning right then I had many choices. I could get angry, I could start cleaning, or I could help my crying children. I chose the later.

As soon as Ainsley wasn't crying and busy eating a cracker, I called Chelsea to look up some ideas to clean the mess online (I couldn't do it all!!!) THANKS CHELS!!! I recruited Isaac to help with the carpet. His job was to pour water on all of the paw prints. . . trying to keep it wet. I then sucked it up with the spot bot. Again spot bot to the rescue! EVERYONE should own one!

I am happy to say we survived. I think we got out all but two tiny spots in the carpet. The bathtub still needs some work, and so does the kitchen. . . but no worries. Give me a few days and everything will be in tip top condition!

(Okay I have pictures, but the computer is acting up so check back later for those :). . . you won't be sorry. The advent calendar turned out super cute. . . even if it is a little warped from water damage. It's no more damage than the little fingers that put up the numbers do)!

17 comments:

Kami said...

holy crap. That sounds like something you see on a movie. I need to learn to not sweat the small stuff either. Thanks for reminding me.

Chelsea said...

BROOKE!!! I knew all of these events were happening but I STILL got teary eyed and panicked feeling for you!!! You are such an amazing mom, and friend. Thanks for being such a good example. I am going to try and "not sweat the small stuff." And A HUGE THANK YOU again for watching MY DOGS that have mastered the mambo techniques I was teaching them. Sorry it involved paint. :) You are the best!
ANd I am bummed there are no pictures yet. Take one of mav and miss for me! :)

The Miller's said...

Oh my gosh!!!! Girl Bless your heart. I would have gone nuts. Yeah I want to see some pictures

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! I would be going crazy! I think you could make a movie out of that one day! HAHA! That is pretty good that you were able to remember not to sweat the small stuff (if you call that small) while all of that was going on! I can't wait to see the pictures.

Lara Neves said...

Oh my gosh! I don't know what I would do in that situation, but kudos to you for remaining as calm as you could and for getting it all cleaned up! Hope the next few weeks go much better!

Anonymous said...

Oh Brooke, I am so sorry! I would have been a huge mess. Good job for keeping it together.

Brianne said...

Ahhhh! That CRAZY definitely needed to be in all caps! Way to keep your cool. I saw that Oprah too and I need to take a lesson from you. So glad you happened upon my blog so I could find yours...how fun!

Lacey said...

Holy Cow..I would have died and probably just sat in the mess and cried!

Tina said...

I must add my words to everyone else's: wow, holy crap, etc. I know I would have cried in that situation. That old saying "when it rains, it pours" usually applies when taking care of kids. it always seems like crazy things happen in quick succession. Thanks for sharing.

The Nelsons said...

Holy Cow! And I thought I was stressed with finals and packing! You have me beat! Good luck!

Katie said...

I am crying for you right now. As a new mom I know how fast things can snowball out of control. Way to keep your cool.

Lindsey said...

HI, we have a blog now- YAY!!! If we could get some visual aids to this day, I really feel like it would help me understand a little better what you went through. PLEASE tell me you have photographic proof of these events!

Andy and Sara said...

Hey! It's Sara (Kilgrow) from Flag. What's up!?! Your kids are SO cute! I saw your blog on Lindsey's and wanted to say hey!!

Mortensen Family said...

oh Brooke! Seriously- it is so hard to keep your head on straight when crazy things like this happen! And so easy to lose it! I just have to say, you did a great job! And I feel for you. (aren't children wonderful?)

The Tate's said...

What a crazy day!! SO I have been out of the blogging scene and just caught up on your posts. SO cute that Ainsley is walking! I cant believe it only 9 months old. SO much fun. Walking definitely has its pros and cons. But it is so fun to watch their first steps.

Our Story: Continued said...

AHHHH!!!! I can't believe your chaotic life! I can't believe the positive attitude you have about it all! Sending you a cyber margarita!

Heidi said...

oh my goodness!! I am so sorry you had to deal with that. Life does get crazy especially with kids. You are amazing. You seem to handle things so well. Your kids are lucky to have you as their mom.