I don't know if you can picture this in your mind. I really doubt you can because I am sure you are a better mother than I am...but give it a try anyway. The kids and I were sitting at the table making some sweet homemade Christmas gifts for our beloved Grandmothers. I am deep in concentration trying to tie a string of beads and can't seem to get the plastic string to cooperate. Levi starts yeowling. Isaac is talking a mile a minute and demanding I help him with his string. Andrew is pawing me, trying to climb into my lap, pulling my leg, bumping me, all while saying, "Mommy? Mommy? Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?........? " and me getting frustrated because I can't get that Knot tied.... realize that my blood pressure is high and the kids feel like they are pressing in against me...and I need room to breath...I need to get away......................
So I run to the bathroom and shut the door claiming, "MOMMY NEEDS SOME PRIVACY!!" Then they start clawing at the door. The door knob begins to turn. I can hear them just on the other side. The odd sensation that I am in one of those below budget horror movies where the poor helpless women is trapped in the last room of her house and the zombies/aliens/creatures from the swamp are oozing in through the cracks in the door. It's only a matter of time...She puts her fingers to her teeth and lets our a window shattering scream!!! See, I told you you were a better Mother than I. Instead of screaming, I did get down on my knees and ask the Lord to help me, because I obviously needed it. He gently reminded me that 1.) I needed to stop trying to parent in my own strength (because who am I kidding if I think I have any of my own) 2.) Cheyne was on the his way home and he will help...so be encouraged and 3.) When Cheyne gets here I need to take a nap (for the health and sanity of all of us)

So, is there a moral to my story? When your little creatures from the swamp rise up and start to overtake you...seek help and take a nap.