Something smacked my thoughts right in the middle of my day today. I was mentally going over what I wanted to accomplish today, blogging being one of them. I was picturing all the photographs I had compiled for this post and got kind of a sinking feeling because I realized they all looked so lovely and wonderful and put together. Or at least making it look like I have it all together.
Friends, I don't! This is your friendly PSA that I haven't given in a while but still rings true-my life has nooks and crannies, crevices and craters that don't make sense to me, that are hurtful and/or hard, and sometimes even downright stressful. I get up and do my best each day and sometimes even THAT doesn't overcome the "scaries" that are just life. Turns out, you can't out-plan or over organize every negative in life. I've got plenty of them! I just don't choose to share them here.
I think we're all plenty aware of the negative. I hope that all of us truly know each person we view on the internet has a million more things they're dealing with behind-the-scenes than we might ever realize. But, as I just texted someone "I believe in the power of positivity." That's why I keep showing up here, with all these "pretties" in hand. The truth is, being a full-time working mama naturally comes with tons of structured hours, to-do lists, routine and rigor and all that jazz. The artist in me gets desperate to fight back against all the put your head down, work hard, #hustle, and NOT NOTICING. We can notice SO much about this magical, cracked, broken and beautiful life.
This is what I've noticed the past week or two, in the midst of the hurrying and scurrying, the tending to everyone's needs, the NOT having it all together but showing up anyway.
All the heart eyes for this pumpkin spotted at the fair!
Dear cows,
I love you.
I miss you.
It worked out that my dear Brett got to join the girls and I for an afternoon at the fair!
LOL.
Betsy having a moment with a rabbit. She is our animal whisperer.
I adore the fact that now Brett will yell across the yard sometimes for me to come see something.
This was one of those things.
Our garden looks SO baaaad but we are still getting tons of peppers!
Chills! Brett was working in the garden one evening trying to tame the beast it has become and this massive praying mantis leaped out. I laid on the grass and watched it for quite some time.
Then our cat ate it. :( :( I had to turn away, literally almost made me tear up.
(dramatic, I know)
YASSS!
Get it girl.
The light in our window in the library catches my attention every single morning.
It is pure magic.
Went down a dirt road (my fave) on Labor Day weekend and found some treasures.
Brett letting Betsy drive the dirt road.
Reminder: everyone's life is a disastrous mess sometimes.
UGH. Fitting in the exercise has been the hardest thing for me since working full-time and trying to meet all the needs at home. BUT I KEEP TRYING.
As Glennon Doyle Melton says, "life is forever tries."
And so, I keep trying again and again.
Yummy!
Homemade falafel and hummus. This makes great leftovers for lunch too!
Beauty found on the playground!
The kiddos built a home for a caterpillar.
Another praying mantis spotted at work! I have seen these things so often the past few weeks!
A 4th-grade student of mine brought me a painting!!!!
So special.
I set up this science spot in the library and the kids are loving it!
Pickled vegetables on date night.
YAY! I had a twin date with my sister for our birthdays!
Girls can climb trees and swing upside down in dresses.
GIRLS ROCK.
I bought myself a painting from my dear friend Mary and she wrapped it sooooo beautifully and added some extras too, for my birthday. What an incredible friend!
Little, unknown fact-I have put lunchbox notes in the girls' lunch boxes for two years straight. The girls say I missed 1 day, but I don't think I've ever missed a day.
My so sweet co-workers decorated my desk and had presents waiting for my birthday!
Katie and Krista, you made me feel so incredibly seen and loved!
A thoughtful gift from my fellow librarian!
Happy girl!
I got to meet Grandma and Papaw on my birthday at McDonald's!
YES.
Louder for the women in the back!
This came out Friday and I like it so much.
There is something really magical about looking for these rosy moments. It turns an everyday, hardworking life into something worth remembering. It turns ordinary days into extraordinary. It makes me fall in love with MY life even more, not someone else's on the internet.
With that said, happy looking! I hope you stumble across some magic, golden sunlight, and rosy in your routine this week and stop to take it in.
We all just do the best we can through all the seasons and their particular challenges. It is so good for our souls to always search out the beauty amongst the chaos. You have a lot of beauty there.
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