I'm normal....maybe...perhaps...

Okay so it has been one of those days. You perhaps know the kind, the ones where the alarm goes off or you hear the kids and think "I really don't want to get out of my bed." Not for lack of love or lack of appreciation but for sheer lack of internal motivation. There has been nothing super stressful or exciting for us lately, I think that I am just in one of those ruts where I focus on the fact that mount washmore never disappears, the dishes always seem to fill the sink and the kids toys and clothes seem to have found their way into every possible crack in the house. It seems futile to even start the cleaning because I know that even at the end of the marathon clean my house does not seem to come out as cute as all those pictures I see on pinterest. Truly said tho, I am not willing to put that much effort into my shell of a home.
 I think this is a normal funk. One most certainly could not tell by looking at pinterest or checking facebook updates. Those seem to make it look like almost every mom but me has some amazing craft project, baking project or educational lesson all lined up in their perfectly decorated house with sparkling floors and matching EVERYTHING! It is either this or the blog posts are busy focusing on breastfeeding vrs bottle feeding, to spank or not to spank and in general how bad of a parent I also am because I sometimes leave my children in the car to run into a store. I just want to know that I am normal. I also feel like it is my responsibility to be my children's activity planner, even though deep down I know this is not true. I have a fantastic mom but I do not recall many occasions where she was my "playmate" or my entertainer.
 I was talking with an elderly mother the other day who made my self esteem jump ten points. Her opening statement was "I feel bad for moms these days." Love at first words. She went on to tell me that she raised 12 kids on the farm. I was like "WOW!" You had it rough" Her response was how easy she had it. Back then no one expected her to work (aside from her full time job as mom.) There was no expectation to put your kids in any sort of activity outside of school. There was most certainly no need to play with your kids (the did that outside or with each other) and the academics were the job of the school. She did say that the chores took twice as long but you had time to do those things because you did not have twelve other things to get done.
 I know that we do not live in that era but if I could tell moms one thing it is that "You are GOOD enough" It does not matter if you breastfeed or bottle feed, spank or don't, are Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker. It doesn't matter if your kid is in no activities or ten or how clean your kids are or aren't. How clean your house is or isn't or how much laundry you secretly have piled beside your bed (more then you know.) None of us are perfect parents, I know fully that I am going to screw my children up in someway because I am learning this gig too. I could do everything "right" but my child may perceive me as "too nice" or "too strict."  At the end of the day (most days anyhow) my children know they are loved (even though I sometimes yell like a crazy lady.) The know that their mom is there for them to guide, guard and lead them. I think of all those blessed little kids who have no parents to love them. All those beautiful little hearts who have been shattered by parents who have abused, broken and used them. Those beloved little birds who are starving and cold and unloved by seemingly everyone. Then I look at my babies, fed and warm, blanketed in kisses and hugs and I know that they are lucky to have me, as imperfect as I am.

Cleaning in circles...

Ok so honestly I swear that I do clean my house! On most days I feel kinda like I am cleaning in the path of the worlds deadliest tornado though. Today I spent the whole day cleaning and by whole day I mean I even skipped my usual momma bear nap time. Perhaps that is why I am threatening to kill my young if they don't settle and go the f*** to sleep. Speaking of that, if you haven't done so yet you need to google "Go the f** to sleep" and read the edited adult version of this quaint bedtime story for children. Anyhow, back to cleaning (as a topic, not the actual task at hand.) Despite my day of cleaning my house still looks like a battle scene from Saving Private Ryan crossed with one of those treacherous mountain climbing films since mount wash more is looming ominously in the corner. I guess that one day not too terribly long from now I will actually have a dwelling that stays clean for more then ten minutes.

Where was I??

For those of you with only one, non mobile child you may look at this picture and shudder. The real life truth is that when your child one day starts to learn to walk they too will sport some rather interesting marks. Sure, I could insist that she wear a helmet with full face mask and elbow and knee pads and that would save these painful, eyesore reminders. What fun would that be. Oh and just so you know, this war wound has since healed and has been replaced by a much more central abrasion.

Jackie's pinterest bread

So although we know that all good moms surf pinterest in moderation. We have all found ourselves with at least a project or two that we are going to endeavor. This is Jackies attempts at a pinterest bread recipe. She joyfully reminds me to not put the bread in the oven during that chaotic time also know as bedtime. Perhaps she and the kids can feed the birds a little later lol

It Starts

So a few weeks back I was enjoying a rare night out with the mommies when we struck on a jewel of an idea. We are all inundated with the medias images of this peaceful, Martha Stewart household and felt that it would be really great to post some of those "moments" that us real life mommies deal with everyday.
I personally feel that this is a great idea because I most certainly have MANY zany moments when I need a reminder that I am not the only one dealing with the crazy life of raising kidlets. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely blessed and I like to blog about that elsewhere but here is a place to feel like you are not the only failure in the room :)
So without further ado...I shall try my best to add at least a few of my and other loving mommies "fails"