On what really matters. . .

So, I've been kind of obsessed with my to-do list lately. And my to-do list is long.
On top of the regular chaos of being a mother of three and full-time homemaker, I got a job. Well, two actually. Fortunately one is a massive writing project which will come to an end in a month or so. The other is permanent, and it's a whole new challenge for me. And on top of all that, we've been thrown into a full-time school schedule this week. Suddenly I have to make lunches, organize book bags and papers and make sure everyone is up, dressed, fed and out the door on time EVERY day! Needless to say, I have to be organized and on top of things.
So, I'm obsessed with my to-do list.
This evening I was trying to catch up on a day's worth of chores and tasks after a day which literally had me run from school, to child's dental appointment, to interview for work, back to school. . . you get the idea. I was quickly replying to e-mails and Facebook messages when a sweet little blonde boy appeared beside me with a balloon. "Hey Mom, want to bat the balloon back and forth with me?"
Honestly? My first thought was "Heck no! Leave me alone."
I put him off for a few minutes so I could read a few more status updates and suddenly it occurred to me: "Are random status updates really more important than my son?" I suddenly remembered my "Mommy first" mantra - a credo which guided me to shelve my career, aspirations for a perfectly tidy home and most of my me-time for the past six years.
It won't be long, really, before this sweet boy can think of a million things he'd rather do than bat a balloon around with mom. So I shut off the computer and headed upstairs with him.
It pained me - really pained me - to walk past the kitchen without stopping to quickly make tomorrow's lunches. But I kept going, took my place in the living room and for the next 15 minutes enjoyed a cacophony of giggles as we swatted that silly blue balloon back and forth.
I'm behind on my to-do list now. And you know what? I think I'm a better mom for it.