For Reals

I have to admit that I compare myself to other moms all the time. I am never crafty enough, thin enough, made up enough, or Martha Stewart enough. The list in my head goes on and on.

To be honest, I especially feel this way after reading some of my favorite blogs, which are truly amazing blogs. However, there are times when I read about all the crafting, cooking, and successful child rearing these gifted women are able to accomplish and I ask myself one simple question.

"What in the world am I doing so wrong?"

I get it. They are optimistic, glass half full people. So am I most of the time. They are using their writing to encourage others, share creative ideas and fun experiences. And, I am certain that they have challenging days too.

I get it.

However, on certain days, I don't like it. Simply because my days don't roll that way all the time. Some days do. But to be real, many don't.

My days look more like this:

The robotic motion of unloading, loading, unloading ,loading...



Load, wash, dry, and fold...



Some days my kids get the best organic can offer. Other days, it is these and I don't even need to make excuses...



On desperate days, and there are many(just sayin'), the middle kid watches TV and plays games on my i-phone so I can get things done or rest for a few minutes while Jack naps. Gasp! Please don't call CPS.


(May I add that white fireplace tiles circa 1996 are on their way out in a few weeks!)

And this kid. Oh this kid. He's such a handful. Don't get me wrong. I L-O-V-E him to death. I'd instantly jump in front of a speeding train for him. But, he is killing me. Can anyone say timeout?



Oh, and by the way,I spared a pic of the dog poop I scooped. You're welcome.

Don't get me wrong, I love my life. I have the glass half full mentality most of time, but then there are the moments when I just need to be real and realize that life has ups and downs. I need to let go of that need to compare and feel like I should be "more" and of my ideal thoughts of doing it all well all the time. And then I roll with it because that's life and we get one shot at it so we need to make it good.