The REAL Life of a Housewife

The other day, I was out running mundane errands, and my sister was riding along with me.  I generally plan them so that I can get in and out of all the places I need to go in the most efficient means possible and take advantage of the bank and pharmacy drive-thrus so that I don't have to needlessly get a bulky wheelchair out of my van for Avery and hope that Em is cooperative enough to hold my hand.  After my stops at the post office, library, bank, and CVS, we were discussing whether or not we could squeeze in an actual fun stop somewhere before Em started melting down, a sure sign that she's ready for her nap.  Throughout my urgency to get through my errands and calm my fussy baby from the driver's seat, I jokingly said to Sarah that we should have our own reality series...The Real Housewives of Ohio.  But I'm sure the ratings would be basically non-existent, which is why those show producers choose beautiful (or at least surgically modified), wealthy women with nannies and hot tempers. 

For some reason, there seems to be a fascination with "housewives."  I've seen brief clips (I would never waste my time actually watching the stuff), interviews, and magazine covers of the "Real Housewives" from cities all over the U.S., and I can't help but scoff at them.  The word "Real" shouldn't be anywhere in the title, unless I'm totally out of touch and living on another planet, that is, 'cause my life as a housewife isn't anywhere nearly as glamorous and dramatic.

But what does a real housewife do?  Hmmm...well, at least I generally start my day by climbing out of bed about ten minutes before it's time to wake my six-year-old for Kindergarten.  I'm always tired because Phillip and I stay up too late just to have a little adult conversation, and unfortunately, my 15-month-old hasn't gotten the memo that she's supposed to be sleeping through the night by this point in her life, and I have a hard time going back to sleep after I've been woken.  I always scramble around to straighten up and get Avery's meds drawn up before he and Emerson get up or I have a hard time keeping up at that point.  Then the tube feeding, the diapers, the chasing an active toddler around, the preparations for dinner, the mountains of laundry, the house work that is unending, and at some point, I make the big decision of whether or not I should bother getting dressed.  And those are the days I'm home.  The days Avery has doctor's appointments or I have errands to run and groceries to buy get even more complicated with the packing of bags, Barney dvds to pass the time, loading and unloading the ole' minivan...glamorous, huh??

Yeah, although my life is not the stuff reality shows are made of, I am blessed to be able to stay home with my kiddos.  Despite the fact that my closet is filled with clothes that might have been in style a few years ago and the fact that my kids keep me so busy, it's mine, and I love it!  Yes, I get slightly annoyed by the "You've got your hands full" comments and the raised eyebrows when I venture out with my "spirited" crew or have to spend time sitting in a waiting room.  Yes, my hands are full, but so is my heart!  These three little people bring such joy and such love...along with everything else.  That's something that those TV housewives probably don't know so much about!!

On that note, this housewife better get moving before the little ones beat me to it!
Bethany