Keepin' it Real

This morning I came across this article that really made me step back and think. It really struck a cord with me. It started out saying, "There’s this crazy phenomenon going on right now. Good, devoted mothers get on Pinterest . . . and blogs . . . and Facebook . . . and Twitter . . . and then they flip through parenting magazines and TV channels (full of advertisements and media hype) . . . and they’re convinced they’re not enough."

I know I am guilty of this. I get overwhelmed and feel inadequate when I see all the amazing things out there and the pristine, perfect sides of people that I don't even know. I need to remember that there are other sides to those lives I see and they aren't all pretty in pink or flowery all the time.

So today I thought I would come out and show my readers that I am not all that either. I am a real person. I have real kids.  My hair and make-up isn't done on a daily basis. My toenails are in desperate need of new polish. I don't cook perfectly balanced meals for my family every night. In fact on Monday we had two frozen box pizzas and that's it.

My house isn't neat and organized all the time (hardly EVER actually). My pantry isn't orderly and labeled. My laundry baskets aren't neatly hidden away in a cupboard, (instead we have mountains). My linen closet is stuffed full and I sometimes can't even close the door because everything is falling out. But, I am a REAL mom, and I try to concentrate on what matters most in my life.

 So today I went around the main floor of my house and took AS IS pictures of what my everyday house looks like. I am giving no excuses. This is me and I am keeping it real.

Notice the red suitcase on the right. I still haven't unpacked from our weekend trip to Portland.

 The kitchen table is littered with Easter baskets and craft supplies from my singing time visual aids I made on Sunday. We've just pushed everything to the middle to make room for our plates when we're eating. (Mind you this isn't always what it looks like but it is what it is today)

 Want to sit down? Just scoot those books over and move the diaper bag out of the way.

 Oh yeah did I mention my mountains of laundry? I have been tackling them today and the couch is now full of folded clothes that need to be put away. Oh yeah did you notice the dark blue rocking chair? Can't sit there either it has Easter stuff that is waiting to be taken out to the storage shed.

 Here's the kitchen. You actually caught me a a good day. I had cleaned a lot of it before I decided to do this post. Oh but that counter on the left is our catch all spot. I really need to clean that up.

 Here's my laundry space. It is a closet that we took the doors off of at the base of the stairs. What you can't see is the pile of stuff on the floor that is waiting to go to the DI or Goodwill.

  Oh and I don't know how many times a day these shoes look like this. It is one of Emma's favorite places to play.

 So there you have it. Just keepin' it real. Ok I better get off now. Emma just woke up and I have mom duty. That's the best part of all!