On Reality

Well life is in full swing and as I post these pictures I am neck deep in clothing that still needs to be packed. Crossing my fingers that the boys take an extra long nap and have no clue what to make for dinner. 

Isn't the internet deceiving at times? I mean I want to be that mom in the pictures above right now I also want to be the mom I was last week when I posted all those fun projects I did with the boys. 

This week I am far, far from that mom. I am the mom with a bun in her hair, no makeup, quick to anger and running through the motions of my days praying that there will be no major issues and tears (from any of us). 

These are the moment  as a mother you question yourself and your worth as a mother. "Am I a good mom"? How many times do you ask yourself that in a day, in a lifetime. I am sure everyone of us has thought it at times. 

These are the moments you have to stand on truth and not emotion. Stick to just the facts. The fact is that I love my boys with every ounce of my body. I enjoy being their mama and I love to teach them and do fun things with them. Another unfortunate fact is that I don't do well in transition and I fluster too easily. And you know what I am teaching my kids that I am not perfect and that despite that God still loves them and me. I am teaching them that even grownups make mistakes and that WE (adults) are not too proud to apologize and admit them. 

I am teaching them that we are always a family and we will get through this little hiccup together. I am remembering that this is only a micro second in the scheme of life and the grumpy mommy I was yesterday is NOT the real me all the time.  I am teaching myself to laugh at life.  I had a sense of humor once I promise... I think it's packed away in a box in the garage with all our belongings :) 

*sorry for the mushy talk, I still have to wrap up out Pumpkin Week but I might be a little late to post and less frequent in the next few weeks* 

Bath time and a little peace

This little baby sure loves his baths. I mean REALLY loves water. And I have to admit that it is one of my favorite times of the day. Usually bath time happens right after dinner and before bed. AKA Elliott's about to have a melt down time and mommy too. He is not really fussy at this time or when ever he gets tired he more becomes the most crazy silly baby you will ever meet. Climbing on everything crawling around thinking your chasing him usually ending up in him bumping into something and then that's when the tears start. Don't get me wrong most of the time it's adorable but being 8 month pregnant on top of it makes this game a lot less fun for mommy. Especially late in the evening.

So instead of feeling like I'm fighting a losing battle we get his bath ready or a shower for the both of us if the day was really tough. Hop in and enjoy playing with his water trains and listening to some music. It's a time for me to slow down the pace and really reflect on the great memories made of that day. Usually I'll retell some of the highlights of our day together other times just sing along to the music. Either way it changes the pace of that time and makes both of us enjoy the last little while before bedtime.

I think one of the biggest lessons I have learned as a mommy is to redirect the pace of the day if I am feeling overwhelmed. I learned when working at the preschool that if I am not having fun the kids are probably having a lot less. It's not always easy to make that shift in the day and sometimes it's a matter of getting through it and pray that tomorrow will be different. But little shifts like bath time make me really be able to take a deep breath and really enjoy my baby all the way to the end of the day.

I love being a mom and would not change this time in my life for anything but sometimes it can be exhausting. And after reading THIS AMAZING POST (must read) I agree that we should shine a little light at the day to day struggles that mommies have and embrace the fact that not everyday is perfect and allow ourselves to accept that. Thank you Mandy for your honesty.