happy weekend!

Remember the other day when I was complaining about not ever getting a day off? Well, today I had one. My parents came in town last night. My house was a bit of a disaster when they arrived-- wrapping paper everywhere and new toys spread all over the floor. Mom told me she would be upset if my house was clean, and I didn't want Momma mad at me.

This morning I slept in and woke up to my kids eating breakfast. Mom was shining the kitchen and Simon was a happy camper in the high chair. They walked the dog and played with the kids while I folded mounds of laundry. Dad told me to write him a grocery list and I obeyed. He also filled up my van with gas and called me on the way home to see what kind of soft drink I wanted. In the afternoon, Mom occupied Simon while the older boys and I gutted their clothes and toys. We cleaned out the game closet, donated 2 bags of winter clothes to charity, put away all the clean laundry, scrubbed the bathrooms, and vacuumed every inch the house. It was spotless.

If it doesn't sound like a "day off" let me assure you, it was. I was able to get EVERYTHING checked off my to-do list... things that would have taken me weeks to do without extra hands. At the end of a very productive day, my parents pushed me out the door and sent me on a date with my husband. They fed the kids dinner and happily welcomed my sister, her husband and their seven kids. Aaron and I were able to revamp at the temple. It was exactly what I needed.

I am so grateful for my parents. Sometimes the only person that really understands how hard motherhood can be is your own mom! She always comes to the rescue for me... If all of that wasn't enough, she stayed up past her bedtime helping Ben write his talk for the baptism tomorrow. It's going to be a wonderful day.

Hope you're feeling as blessed as I am. happy weekend!