Working in the Mud and the Yuck

It was 50 degrees and sunny in Salt Lake City today, absolutely gorgeous, and I just had the best time working in the yard for the first time since fall. It might surprise some people that I enjoyed myself so much. Did I mention we have a dog who is rarely walked and our yard is only about 500 square feet? And did I mention that I haven't worked in the yard since fall? Ok, maybe I've painted too accurate of a picture now. On top of cleaning up over 50 dog messes, I also shoveled compost, that came in all degrees of decomposition, into the gardens. Then I began turning the beds, mixing in our compost along with a few shovels full of organic turkey manure. I bet some of you think the previously stated enthusiasm was sarcasm. Sincerely it was not. Oh my goodness! This is the exact conversation I had with one of my middle school students today.

Why was I so enthusiastic? I don't know if it was the sun, the smell of spring, the worms, or the anticipation I felt inside knowing that soon little seedlings would be sprouting out of the ground. Whatever it was, I genuinely felt like I was in my element.

Unfortunately, after about an hour of work, my baby girl woke up, and I was pulled away from my playground of decomposing food and dirt. I ran to calm her cries, and while normally I don't keep her waiting, today I felt it was best to tidy up just a bit before I plucked her from the crib. I figured she would not appreciate the mud and the yuck all over my hands and clothes as much as I did.

Moments later, Monet and I were playing on the floor, and soon the room smelt a bit like what I was dealing with in the garden. Sure enough, Monet gave me another mess that needed cleaning. Unlike our dogs 50 individual piles, Monet's mess was of a much grander and more unified scale. Good thing Daddy was home, this was definitely a two person job. You see Monet only poops once a week while Snickers goes once or twice a day. You can choose for yourself which is worse. I'm still undecided

Through all the mud and the yuck, I still had a smile glued to my face. That's what playing in the sun, the dirt, and with my baby girl does to me.

(Follow the link to see more of our baby Monet)