Barf Badge

You get a badge if you are in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, Awana, or if you were brave in a real war. I feel like my motherhood has just reach a new place where I should get one of those badges of honor. Needless to say, our evening and day definitely didn’t go as planned. There was throwing up from 9:30pm- 11am. 5/6 family members barfing but I wasn’t one of them. It seems like a total miracle. I’m still on eggshells waiting to be the next victim. I was out of bed about 25 times. The hubs and the littlest got it the worst. The older 3 came at 5:00am, 6:00, and 6:45. The 5:00am barf was in his bed. He later told me that he purposely barfed in one spot so I “it would be easier for me to clean up.” Oh my gosh, so hilariously thoughtful from that 6 year old. The 6am was all over the floor between his room and the toilet. It went so far that I was cleaning up under a door to a closet. Wow. At that point I gave my 10 year old a bowl and I’m glad I did. Epic night with less sleep than any newborn disaster night I’ve experienced. It truthfully could have been worst.

On Tuesdays I get special time before I head off to the church staff meeting. The hubs takes all the kids to school and I get to have alone time to get ready as long as I want, spend time with the Lord, and even pluck my eyebrows. Some may read this and either think I’m being dramatic or be totally jealous. Haha. Anyhow, at 1:30am on the bathroom floor with my youngest and I was trying to not to think about how that special time was ruined. I was momentarily bummed, I look forward to the time all week, but then really grasped the honor of what I was doing. Sitting there on the cold floor holding my precious boy, I realized I was in the perfect spot. Sure my bed sounded much more cozy but the honor to hold him, comfort him, and clean him up took on a spiritual dimension. I got a glimpse of what I got to be for him in that moment. I got to be what I’ve always wanted to be and sometimes forget. Although he may not remember me being a human chair or carrying him and his barf bowl back to bed, he will remember what I carry as a mom. I have given him a love that nobody can take. I have given him comfort that he can carry with him and a deep sense of importance that I know he’ll give to others around him. I took him back to bed and as I tucked him and the Tupperware salad spinner into bed he looked at me and gave me everything back, “I love you mama.” I love you too, baby. That’s the badge I needed and nobody can take that away from me.

Shout out to my girl Auntie J, who brought these sickie staples to add to our sprite, graham crackers and bone broth. Love you!