TOP TEN TUESDAY: THANKS FOR...

1. ...the eternal mess. Kids are the quickest cure for perfectionism. Having children means your floors will be perpetually encrusted with crumbs and stray socks will go forth and multiply like rabbits. I have reached a Zen-like acceptance of chaos quicker than studying at an ashram in India ever could.

2. ...running me in circles like a mad woman. There's nothing like the daily jog through dressing, meals, laundry, chauffeuring, homework, tucking-in, etc. that leads only to the next day and more of the same. It reminds me that life is not a destination but a journey.

3. ...bodily functions. I'd never smelled anything as bad as when The Kid had rotavirus. I'm a stronger person now. That's all I have to say about that.

4. ...the constant opportunity to expand my chauffeur talents. When else would I have a chance to listen to music and books on tape. Even though the average trip only gets me through a few chapters, I'm grateful for every one.

5. ...the annoying Spongebob and other various cartoon characters.. How else would I make it through my life without ever-inspiring songs like "Its the Best Day Ever" or "All You Need is Friendship"?

6. ...taking 15 minutes to find your shoes and put them on when we should have left the house 10 minutes ago. Watching The Kid get himself dressed or slowly eat that pop tart as if it's the last pop tart he'll ever get, reminds me to stop and slow down. I live my life sometimes as if being late is going to end the world. It's good to be reminded to stop and smell the pop tarts.

7. ...the middle of the night wakeups. I'm miserable if I don't get my full 8 hours of sleep but it's nice to be needed. When you comfort a sick child, the love from the resulting snuggle radiates both ways.

8. ...the hard and sometimes embarassing questions. I can come up with a way to stall faster than you can say, "What happened to that man's hair?" I've also had to sneak onto google to find the answer to such questions as why is the sky blue. And why does Donald Duck wear a shirt but no pants?

9. ...clutter. Toys, stuffed animals, school papers, artwork, clothes, and more clothes make my house look "lived-in". I dream of one day having a house like my mom's with fine things and fancy furniture.

10. ...my empty bank account. Where does it go? Diapers and babysitters, hightops and laptops, food and more food. My money has grown, all right. It has grown into two amazing boys. I consider it a wonderful investment in my own old age since I plan on them taking care of me (little do they know).