I don't know why I even bothered to have kids.  If I knew that there was this much ... drama ... involved, I would have never gotten pregnant.  I would still be enjoying the freedoms that having no kids bring.

I have three extremely active kids: a teenage daughter (Emily) who is 13 going on 30 (she thinks she knows everything and lets me know just how little I happen to know and has a very bad attitude), and twin boys (Ethan and Eryck, who are nine and full of spit and vinegar; both have Asberger's and can be twin handfuls).  Add to the fun, three cats and two dogs. 

Welcome to my life.  Welcome to my home.  Welcome to my world.

This is what I put up with 24/7, 365 days a year.  I don't get paid time off or vacations or holiday breaks.  I'm on duty every day of the year.  If my husband or my kids (or pets) need me, I'm there, ready to answer to their every beck and call.  I'm not only a full-time Mommy: I'm also a chaffeur, a nurse, a counselor, a teacher, an advocate (for children with special needs, thanks, in part to Eryck and Ethan's autism), a referee, a security guard, a police officer, even a politician.  I'm a woman of all trades.

Emily used to be a very sweet and loving litle girl, but lately she has turned surly, almost to the point of being mean.  No matter what I do for her or say to her, she always has to get the last word in edgewise and feels that I am always in the wrong.  She is mad at me because I won't get her a cell phone.  I don't want her spending all her time texting her little friends or talking on the phone more than to us.  I want to have some serioud mother-and-daughter time with her; is there anything wrong with that??

And the twins:  Eryck has a dental appointment later at three o'clock today because last night his tooth broke while he was eating pizza and now he has a rather bad toothache.  More expense that I don't need, but unfortunately, is necessary.  As for Ethan, he wojuld rather spend his time learning the latest weather forecasts on the Internet rather than getting some sun and exercise; it's becoming increasingly impossible to get him outside.  I'm about ready to throw the god blessed computer right out the window!!

I've about had it with technology!!  What's wrong with a little family bonding at supper from time to time??

The pets are no better: just last week, one of the dogs ate the arm of our couch and so I am looking for a new couch.  And the cats got into the flour and trracked it all over our freshly cleaned carpet, so now you see traces of kity paw prints on our pretty dark blue carpeting!  I can't get them out, no matter how hard I try!

I don't know what I'm going to do, but if I don't get some help, fast, I just may leave the kids out on the street corner and lock myself in the bedroom for a good cry!! (NOT really, but the thought HAS crossed my mind a time or two!)