Do you ever have a day that is so hectic, you are not sure when (or if) you had a chance to breathe? A day in which you have 100 things to get done and 20 more pile up? A day that just as the dishwasher breaks down, you get a call with something that has to be done rightthatminute, followed by a phone call of crappy news?

Then, adding to the stress, your kids have been fighting all day, trying to get and keep your attention, and just generally being insane.

These days? Can come far too often. So do the days where you’re just attempting to navigate your norm, like balancing work and the kids, errands and playtime, and anything else that flies your way.

Recently, I had a day like this (okay, we’ll pretend it was only one). By early afternoon, I was close to tears, in a panic that my children have barely seen me throughout the day beyond me telling them to go play, stop fighting or to generally be quiet. Add on that I’m over five months pregnant, and it was a pretty moment.

Or not so much.

The days of feeling overwhelmed are sometimes… well, overwhelming. I wonder how on earth I can balance everything that needs to be done around the house, get all the work done, and still spend time with my kids.

Sometimes, something just has to give.

When it’s the mountain of laundry that still has to be done, that’s one thing. If it’s the trip to the grocery store that gets skipped so we end up with takeout or leftovers, I can deal. Even if I’m not a far ahead on a work project, I can usually manage.

But what about when it comes to my kids?

Some days, I feel like I’m existing around them. Between everything that needs to be done, the work that piles up, and the chaos that ensues, they are off playing by themselves or doing something while I’m nearby- but not actively doing it with them. There are also times that they wheedle and beg me to be involved in every.little.thing that they do, and that’s just not humanly possible. Even still. The guilt. It weighs me down and makes me worry that I am not there enough.

Despite the days we spend four or five hours at the pool.

Despite the days we go to the movies or out to lunch or to the museum or storytime.

Despite the snuggles and board games and wii games we get to sometimes play.

The times when this is not possible? Seem to take away all the times it is. And we’re right back to square one: that darn guilt.Throw in a third baby on the way, a traveling husband, and summer vacation? This work-from-home mom is a hormonal, stressed out, guilt-ridden basket case. Even though, I am putting most of it on myself.

At least until they drive me crazy…

How do you handle those guilty-feeling days of motherhood?

People. I am a mom.

Here’s the thing. I do not believe that being a mom should solely define who you are in every aspect of life. I completely get how mommyhood can consume us; it’s just the way it is. But it’s our job to maintain the me in mommy. Or at least enlist the help of someone to help us maintain our sanity. But accountability? It lies with me and only me. It is my job to seek out my happiness, my refuge, my serenity. I get this and (mostly) embrace it.

But people. I am a mom.

Yes, I love my husband. Yes, that time to spend together, to connect, to be a couple, to be alone.. well, that time is amazing. I love the opportunities to reconnect, I love the chance to be alone, I love the chance to sit and just simply talk..And you know what? It’s even more amazing because of the life we share. Because of the sacrifices we’ve made together, the blessings we’ve experienced together, the challenges we’ve faced.

But people. I am a mom.

I wear many hats. I am strong, intelligent, opinionated woman. I spent hours last night on my computer, completing various working tasks while obsessing over each and every detail that flashed across CNN’s screen. Politics has always been a fascinating subject for me, the dynamics of our country under strict scrutiny for such a small time each year. It seems to me we could accomplish much more if we focused a fraction of effort and passion into the political arena the rest of the year instead of waiting until it’s time to cast a vote.

But I digress. Because people. I am a mom.

I have strong opinions, a healthy dose of confidence, a well-earned degree. I have an amazing husband, beautiful children, and an ever-changing address. I will achieve a great many things in my lifetime- of this I am certain. I will accomplish goals I set for myself, I will exceed my own expectations, and live to fulfill some dreams I don’t yet know exist.

But people. I am just a mom.

Nothing will ever mean more to me than the look on my children’s faces when they wake up in the morning and see me there. Nothing will ever compare to the pure joy of flying down a slide with my daughter in my lap. I can’t imagine a moment more precious than my son asking me to give him just one more hug before I tuck him in, or a sweeter memory than my daughter smacking her lollipop-flavored lips at me for a final bedtime kiss.

Yes, there are a lot of important things to tend to in life. There are chores to be done, and things to be seen, and tasks to be addressed. I will go places, I will see things, I will meet people. I am sure I can do a lot of things.

But people? I am a mom. And I will raise my children with all of my heart.

Because, no matter what else becomes important, what else enters my life, what challenges I face. .

I am a mom.

And today? I’ve decided to let that define me. Because people? There’s no role in which I’d rather be.

This post is a good ol’ fashioned-spill-your-guts for Shell’s Pour Your Heart Out at Things I Can’t Say. Go link up- Shell is the best blogger. Ever.

Tonight will be my son’s first soccer practice- making me an official soccer mom. I know sometimes people are not prepared for the title or do not wish to use it- that is not the case with me. No, although I did not always know that this would be the path I would take in life, I have settled comfortably (most of the time) into the mommy role. I look forward to cheering on my son as he and his teammates run back and forth on the field (hopefully in the right direction) and all the chaos that comes from a group of four and five year olds attempting to learn a sport. I have my camera charged and ready for the thousand and one pictures I will be taking and look forward to letting my toddler daughter run out some of her energy on the sidelines of such a game. I was all ready to go, feeling confident and prepared.

Until I thought about what to wear.

Now, I’m sure some of you are shaking your head and laughing, wondering why on earth does it matter what you wear to a soccer practice? Because, my friends, I have well-earned fear of playgroups and I realized that this is going to be a similar situation- I am going to be in another situation with a group of parents. Also, between my husband’s insane work schedule and traveling, it is not very likely he will be attending very many of these games. So now I’m back to worrying about petty details and trying not let insecurities creep in before I go.. which is so hard to do. While I am confident in my parenting, it is not always easy to connect with other moms in person, and first impressions (both mine and theirs) are stressful situations. As a result, I am doing what any rational, prepared, mature mom does;

I’m stressing about my clothes.

Sigh.

This post is linked up to Shell’s Pour Your Heart Out over at Things I Can’t Say- go visit to read people pouring their hearts out!

Please be sure to join me on Twitter this Thursday from 10-11am where I’ll be hosting #beanchat, courtesy of Gevalia. We’ll be discussing everything from activities with your toddler to getting back to school (and sports!) with your older ones. Please please please join in because this is my first Twitter Chat and y’all can’t leave me hanging, okay?? Hope to see you there! check out the event link here: http://www.facebook.com/GevaliaCoffee?ref=ts&v=wall#!/event.php?eid=155400251138670&index=1 and join on in here: https://sites.google.com/a/kineticfin.com/gevalia-assets/beanchat/how-to-join-beanchat. Come help me navigate my first twitter chat!