I could do it if only....

If my children would stop eating crackers - or anything that makes crumbs, for that matter - for the next three days and if no one would take anything out to play with or write with or wear and if everyone would take their shoes off every time they come in the house and put them back on if they are going out of the house and if everyone could just move out for the next two days.... I'll be ready for my husband's 40th birthday party (which is being held on the eve of my 41st birthday).

I am so on top of everything - or, at least I have been - when my children have been out of the house.

Aaaah, but that's what makes the challenge sweet - isn't it? How do you spend quality moments with your children, care for their needs of food, clothes and proper shelter, while maintaining the sense of order you need to maintain your own sanity, and complete special projects (such as birthday party planning where you are creating the sweet table for 100 people) and everyday projects (like PTO volunteering)?

Oh, that's pretty much an everyday struggle - challenge may be a better word - for moms. There's always something. We could always do it "if only...". It always gets done - doesn't it? At least the stuff that really needs to get done?

I always ask myself "what's the next most important thing that has to get done?" And, I do it. I also say "as long as I'm doing something, I'm getting it done." You can't expect more than that, can you?