Losing

Some days I feel like I am losing at this whole parenting thing. You know the days-when the kids decide to draw mustaches on their faces with marker, you are continuously cleaning yet the house looks worse than when you started, the kids decide to break all the rules they should (and do) know, they break their toys for fun, they refuse to nap anymore, and the one being potty-trained learns just how uncomfortable it is to poop in her underwear which requires lots more cleaning and an unexpected shower (though not fully unplanned for since there is still marker all over her face).

Even the dog wins. She has gotten used to being on the couch and days like this only encourage her since I don't have the energy to shove her off and, admittedly, it is kind of nice at times to cuddle her though she really is far too big to be a lap dog.

Then throw in taking care of 11 chickens, 2 goats, 2 cats, 2 dogs, and 4 alpacas; shoveling several inches of snow; decorating a cake and 24 cupcakes. It makes me kinda tired! Oh, and I think I may be allergic to snow since my sinuses were hurting today. 

That was yesterday. Today dawned bright and clear and cold. A new day. A fresh start. And guess what. I am still losing. This time the goats won. I was unable to close their stall door (which I do to keep them from stealing the alpacas' food) because of all the snow we received. Usually when this happens, they never realize the door isn't locked. Today though, Tulip jumped against the door and it opened. I ran back in to shove them back into their stall so my alpacas could eat. In doing so, I forgot to latch the other stall door and they jumped against that and escaped into the barn  Unfortunately, the outer barn door was also open and they raced toward freedom. At least I was able to reach the door first and close it. Then I had to herd them back into their stall. Thank goodness for Cheerios!