TYWSOP Day 4

I spent most of Wednesday in the bed sick.  I've heard of moms whose children would have taken the same opportunity to cook all the meals, clean and sanitize the house, make sure it smelled like roses, and as an added bonus have all the laundry done, folded and put away just so mom wouldn't have to do it.

But here's where my reality kicks in.

Y'all - there were no children rising up and calling me blessed. No one who brought me Gatorade and saltines out of a heart of gratitude for the countless times I've done it for them. Certainly no little people cleaning the house.

In fact, I'm not even sure they realized I was sick. They knew I was here - that was certain. They'd pop their sweet little faces in the door every so often to ask if they could have a snack or if they had to do their math.

As far as they were concerned, it was a free day!

Now, I could wallow in the fact that my kids didnt take on role of substitute mom for the day OR I could choose to be grateful for my fabulous kids who did finish their school work and didn't completely destroy the house. I choose the 2nd choice and I'm so honored I get to wake up to these kids every morning - sick or not!

TYWSOP Day 3

So I missed a day. Told you this was reality. :)

Today's doesn't come with a picture. Simply because I cannot take a picture of myself not running.

I signed up for a 5K at the end of March. This won't be my first. And, evidently, it's not my first time to sign up for a race and then consistently talk myself out of training runs each week.

So - as much as I love fitness plans and the thought of running, the reality is I don't enjoy it. And I'm not good at being consistent.

Oh, I'll make it through the 5K. Hopefully things will turn around in the next couple of weeks. I'm trying. But if history (reality) proves me right, I'll be the one at the back of the race looking like I need to be carried off the course.

I'll keep you posted.

TYWSOP Day 2

TYWSOP (things you won't see on Pinterest) - has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

Here's day two of my unveiling reality.

Legos. I love them. I really do. They foster creativity, imagination and don't require batteries. However, the organization of all those tiny little pieces has always been a struggle. I've tried everything, and I've finally come to grips with the fact that if my son's happy with their current home, then I need to be too.

So, without further ado, (adoo? adue?) here's the fabulous you-won't-see-this-storage-solution-on-Pinterest Lego box* compared to my dream Lego storage. Really, Pinterest? I could use my time and money doing that. And I would be in love with it. For all of the 2 minutes it took my boys to completely dismantle those drawers and have none of the pieces back where they belonged. And that's a battle I'm not choosing to fight.

(*We actually have multiple boxes of Legos. Not just one. That would be way to easy.)

Things you won't see on Pinterest

The other day, I posted this on Facebook:

with the caption "You won't see this on Pinterest. Just keepin' it real."

And within minutes I had people liking, commenting and texting me about the sneak peek into real life.

All of it made me wonder. Why is that such a big deal? Am I really the only one with piles of laundry that I just can't keep up with? Legos taking over my house and hiding in every crevice available? Dirty socks here and there that a certain little girl just can't seem to get into the laundry basket? Dishes left in the sink overnight (Surely no one else goes to bed with dirty dishes in the sink. The Fly Lady would definitely not approve.) 

So I thought about it. And here's what I think.

Society - women specifically - tries so hard to mask reality. Whether it be our homes, our faces, our kids, our marriages - doesn't matter as long as no one knows who I really am and what I really struggle with. What my house really looks like.  What my marriage is really like when no one is around. We want to put on a mask and only show the world a put-together, perfected version of ourselves, our families and our homes. 

(***Disclaimer: This is not a post promoting an unclean house, lazy parenting, and lack of spiritual discipline. It is a post, however, to encourage us that it's ok if we aren't perfect. Because, more than likely, that friend we're comparing ourselves to? She's not either.)

Pinterest, Facebook, blogs and I have a love/hate relationship. I love the ideas I see. My family has enjoyed the results of many wonderful recipes found because of Pinterest. (They've also been dealt the hand of eating some not-so-tasty meals from the same source. But that's another post for another day.) I love the resources blogs are for teachers and homeschooling moms and the wealth of ideas I find for my home. I love keeping up with friends on Facebook - especially those far away I don't talk to as often.

But I hate. hate. hate. what all of that does to me. The feeling of never being able to accomplish the perfectly coiffed hair I see. Or the 1000s of fitness plans I have pinned. Or the homes whose cleanliness and beauty I envy. Or the multitude of moms who seem to have it ALL together. And I've come to see that those internet resources - maybe in all their goodness, aren't quite so healthy for me. I'm not swearing off Pinterest, or Facebook, or blogs. In fact, dinner tonight is on my Pinterest food board. I'm just thinking I should probably dial it back a notch. Or two.

I don't believe God wants me to live comparing myself to everyone else. And that's what happens when I spend too much time browsing all those fabulous internet-y things. I begin to be distraught that I don't have the time or money to accomplish most of what I see. Or that my kids aren't spending an hour a day reading the Bible or memorizing a chapter a month. I don't like feeling intimidated by the mom who makes 25 Valentine cards out of scrapbook paper and stamps, tied with cute little tags all personalized for each student in her child's class - while I go to Walmart and buy the cheapest box of Valentine cards I can find because I don't have the time or patience to be crafty. 

There is nothing wrong with expecting our children to develop good habits. Or being crafty and making things for our children or our home. I think the issue lies in striving to have the perfect home, and be the perfect mom, and have the perfect kids, and .... I could go on and on. It only makes us tired. And discouraged that we can't keep up. And bitter because someone else has something we don't. And ungrateful for the life we've been given because we're too busy to comparing ourselves to others. Life is not a competition. And I don't want to get into the habit of making it one.

So. In light of all that I've been pondering, for the next week, I will be posting straight out of reality. The good, the bad, the ugly - and the beautiful. I'm taking off my mask. Here it goes...

This is what I wish my homsechool room looked like compared to reality. We do most of our school in an upstairs loft area. There are no cute organizational spaces or desks or decor on the wall. There is, however, a large ping pong table that doubles as a great workspace. :) And we only have that one chair. So mostly they sit on the floor or stand at the table - which is great for a bunch of ADD-ish boys who would much rather balance a chair on one leg than sit in it. We may not have a Pinterest worthy school room, but it works for us!

Ellie talks about the Mayan calendar

So I decided to have a little fun with the whole Mayan doomsday thing and interview our resident Mayan about the Mayan calendar.

A few things to note:

1) Days of the weeks and months of the year have never been her strongest points.

2) It's too bad she's so shy in front of the camera.

3) The ending - ADD much?

4) Her hair's not normally such a mess. Ok, yes it is, but at least it's halfway still in a ponytail.

For your Mayan apocalypse enjoyment -

Eleven

Eleven

Dear Noah,

Eleven years ago today, Dad, Lucas and I received the best surprise Christmas gift. At 9:56 am you made your way into our world - 6 weeks ahead of our schedule, but right on God's timing.

And here we are 11 years later. 

You were so small, so fragile way back then. You're still small  - and you gladly tell every new person you meet "I'm short for my age."  You and Jacob have been the same size for a while now, but I think he's about to pass you. That's ok, though, height is way overrated. I know from personal experience. 

You have embraced having Asperger's this year. It's been a time of learning - for all of us. Learning all the fabulous details that make you, you. Seeing you learn to cope with things that the world sees as weakness and watching you overcome fears and struggles. God has made you in His image, Noah, and you are fearfully and wonderfully made. My prayer is that you never forget that.

Currently, you are OBSESSED with Legos. For the longest time, the colorful little bricks held no interest for you. Somewhere in the past year, though, you have become a Lego maniac. They're everywhere. EVERYWHERE. You will even put them in your pockets and bring them with us wherever we go. The mini-figures are your favorite. Star Wars and Super Hero sets are probably the next in line. We went to Legoland in Orlando a few months ago. I don't think you stopped smiling the entire day, which brought your Mom and Dad much joy.

If we can't find you, chances are you're on the computer or playing Lego Batman on the PS3. You do tend to freak a bit if the day is ending and no technology has been in your hands. You're super smart with computers and vow that one day you will be a video game designer.

Or an International Spy. 

My bets are on the first one, though.

You are the deepest thinking child I have ever known. Most of your questions and thoughts come at bedtime - which tends to drive me nuts - but I have had the best conversations sitting on the edge of your bed, watching you rub Ruff-Ruff's tale on your nose while thinking about the topic of the night. 

Yes, Ruff-Ruff is still very much a part of your life. But, there have been nights recently that he has been left on the couch or floor. And part of me rejoices that we may be able to pack away the floppy, matted stuffed animal soon. But part of me tears up at the thought of packing away the floppy, matted stuffed animal that has been your best friend for 10 years now.

School has been easy this year. You are very much in your element at home. You hate math, but love history. Right now we are studying Ancient Egypt and you are fascinated by world religions.

You told me the other night that you were sad you were almost 11. That you didn't want to grow up. 

I think that night I told you that growing up was exciting and that God had so many new adventures waiting for you.

And all of that is true. But can I tell you something else? I'm kinda sad to see 10 years old go, too. While I love seeing you become the young man God is forming, year 10 has been good to you, my son.   However, I'm guessing 11 years old? It's gonna be even better.

I love you with all my heart,

Mom

Mission Possible

She tries again for the 100th time. Not quite yet. She stands up, messy hair falling across her face, grinning.

I would've given up long ago. But not Ellie. She's a determined soul. She will do this. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, or next week. But eventually - she's going to complete the mission.

Today that goal is for gymnastics. Tomorrow it may be for school. And years from now, who knows what mission God will put in her path.

But I do know this: whatever it is, wherever He takes her - this child's determination and spirit will get the job done. Our prayer for her is that one day, she surrenders her life to His will. And when that happens - watch out, world.

But for today - mission accomplished.