My Mother's Day Lily

     As a mom of so many boys, I don't always get nice things, but on Mother's Day last year my husband spontaneously brought me a potted lily. Oh, it was so pretty, smelled so nice, and made me feel spoiled. I placed it proudly on my kitchen counter because it was nice to have something girly and just for me.
 
   Yeah well... Fast forward 24 hours.

   I had a prenatal appointment and some errands to run. All four boys were in their bed for nap time, and I had a very talented, trusted babysitter. I promised to bring us back some ice cream because I was pregnant and we deserved it.
   I was enjoying my rare time out of the house alone when I got a text stating that the boys had taken my flower to bed and made a mess. Well why not, right?
   I rushed my fun afternoon, grabbed frosties from Wendy's in the largest sizes possible, (because I knew I'd regret not getting them) and got home as fast as legally possible.
   Every petal was ripped off. Dirt was all over. And by all over, I mean spread across the top bunk, bottom bunk, and the surrounding floor. All over.
   I had the boys vacuum the dirt, pick up my petals, and a few days later I had them buy me a new flower.
   I cleaned up after them of course, and I still, to this day, eight months later am finding dirt in hidden crevices in the room.

   Oh the joys of parenting boys!