I am reading a book by Brooke Burke called the Naked Mom. Don't get all excited...she is not really naked. It is more about stripping away this perfect mom image we are given so often and getting down to the real true mom you are.
No more comparing yourself to other moms and beating yourself up. Be inspired by moms doing great things but know they have crazy chaos in their lives too. The one pic they posted to pinterest of the heart waffles they made for breakfast or the American Flag cake they made doesn't equal their whole momhood.
We have all had those awesome mom moments, and we have all that those crazy, chaotic moments where we did not handle ourselves the best way. We may have yelled and screamed and overreacted. It is ok. Apologize and move on. Do better next time.
It is pretty much chaos at all times over here. There are varying degrees of the chaos...from that daily overwhelming feeling (dishes and laundry to do, cars and trains everywhere) to the complete and total craziness that almost always occurs around 5pm each day. I am trying to cook dinner, there is a Disney movie on, cars and trains everywhere, building blocks dumped, playdough being broken out, one child saying Mom, Mom,Mom, and the baby screaming or crying or both. Ahhh...serenity now.
My sister tells me I thrive amidst chaos. That is good, although it doesn't always feel that way. Sometimes I feel like screaming or crying or laying down in the middle of the kitchen floor with my pillow and taking a nap. Usually I just take a few deep breaths and manage my way through it.
Some moments are sweet and calm...like our morning outside today. Pandora toddler radio, you are awesome. We played with matchbox cars and sang Freres Jacques. I was able to plan my FAU class while Xman played happily in the yard and Xanman napped. Now the boys are playing in the crabby pool (previously a sandbox). Soon, we will have to go to the grocery store and the lunch and nap routine will begin yet again. Our life is chaotic but fun and crazy but simple. And like the Naked Mom says, I am trying to dance through the chaos.
Here are some pics of the Xmen doing their thing. Look there is even one of some heart eggs I made one morning. :) See, we can all be pinterest moms.
**Thank you, Brooke Burke, for the inspiration.
