Mom fails.

  Let's face it, most of us try really hard to be good moms, but there are days or in some cases (mine) weeks where we just can't seem to pull it off. I figured I'd share a few of my fails to make any other moms reading this feel a little bit better about theirs :)....and because unless it's documented people probably wouldn't believe me. So, here goes...

1.) You might be cleaning too much and not paying enough attention to your kids if this happens:

Eva decided to go for a swim...fully clothed.

Ryan overflowed the tub and tried using blankets to clean up. 

2.) You might be trying to take the easy (lazy) way out if you buy your child a potty training watch...why, yes it is shaped like a little toilet.

Notice the missing pants. We were hoping one less article of clothing to remove would help along the potty training process.....nope.

  3.) You might be a little frazzled and just want your kid to smile instead of constantly whining if you let this happen:

Yep, Ryan removed his shoes while we were at the playground. He swore it felt so much better and he could go faster down the slide...whoohoo!!

  4.) You might be trying to encourage self expression....and failing!...if your kids walk around like this (I promise it was indoors only! Please don't call CPS).:

Eva's thugging it in her awesome Dora hat and her princess skirt...I may need to invest in more colors than just red.

After this catastrophe happened I felt it was my duty to explain that we don't mix and match our favorite pieces of clothing from different categories (i.e. church socks, pajama bottoms and a play shirt). It was a good attempt though and all his privates are covered, so I'm giving him a B+.

  So, there you have it. I am not perfect...and neither is my house...not even close! Things happen and I am one of those crazy mothers who photograph first and yell explain gently second. I often times lie awake in bed at night long after everyone else is snoring (Brad) and try and come up with ways to be better, have less chaotic days, show my kids how much they mean to me, get my kids to eat healthier, get myself to eat healthier, etc. I mean I look around at other moms with amazing bodies, perfect well behaved kids and spotless homes, who spend their days with their jogging strollers and reading a thousand books to their well advanced children and I wonder what I did wrong. But, in those final moments right before my eyelids finally flutter shut and don't open back up I remember Eva's kiss and "I love you too" and Mason's "Wow, Mom, you're beautiful!" and Ryan saying "I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and go to the playground." and I am reminded that my kids are happy and that's all I really want.

Just nice.

  When I was a little girl my father said something to me that has stuck with me ever since and as I have gotten older I have noticed it to be quite true. My dad pointed out that people can never seem to give a compliment or honor someone without also mentioning something negative. Ever since that day I have looked and listened for people to just say something positive and it very rarely happens. It's always "Even though my husband annoys me I love him" or "My kids drive me up the wall, but they are so cute" or " I just want to honor my parents even if even though we didn't always get along". I have been guilty of doing this myself and it really bothers me.
  Bottom line we are all human, we all screw up...a lot. We have all hurt someone, annoyed someone, messed up, etc. But, how many of us want that thrown in our face? Why can't we escape it even during a "compliment"? What drives us to point out everyone else's flaws, masking it with a smile on our face and a nice word or two? What's the problem with pointing out the positive and just swallowing down the rest? We might actually start to really like people if we weren't so concentrated on what's "wrong" with them.

  I for one am going to make a conscious effort to give real compliments, to make people smile and not wonder if I really do like them or not and I'll start right here. My husband is my best friend and the love of my life. Every day that I wake up I feel really lucky to have him. Just this morning I was laying in bed wondering how the heck I got him. He's patient with me and he makes me smile a lot. He's worth everything to me and I would do anything for him just to see him smile. I love making him happy and making him laugh. I will always support him no matter what we come up against and I will always have his back. I will always be the girl that loves him the most. We are a team and we will be on the same team for forever.
  It's not hard to speak positively, especially when it's about those that you love. Try it.