The Great Failure

Recently I've been having many conversations with women about how difficult it is to be a mom.  The constant struggle of trying to keep the house together, the kids alive, the husband happy, the laundry done, and looking beautiful during all that.... not to mention all the others things but I don't want to bore you.  Then, we are constantly bombarded with images of all these amazing ideas on Pinterest of perfect mommies making beautiful food, having super organized homes, and children that are surprisingly clean and stylish.  In the midst of all this I find myself feeling like a failure on a daily basis, and in talking to other women about this subject I have found that I am not the only one in this boat of failure.

I began to think about the things that make me happy and bring a bit of light to my dark world of failure.  I am a photographer and I LOVE photographing people, I think photos are priceless treasures that capture moments in our life that will never happen again.  Being honest with myself I also enjoy when people compliment me on my work.  It brings a smile to my face and makes me feel great!  As a mom, I feel like it's almost wrong to take such praise when I have failed day after day in house work or disciplining my children but the other day I realized why these small moments in my life are so important.

If you don't read any other part of this blog this is what I really want to share....
"The reason we need to do things we are good at is so that we can be reminded that we are not failures." 

We all have something we can do well... some of us can run fast and long and that makes us feel good. Some of us are creative and can make things that people rave over.  Some of us are just amazing at throwing a party that people talk about for years.   We all have something that we know deep inside that we do well and when we choose to take the time to do those things in the midst of giving everything we have to our families it keeps us from flipping out.... literally.

I'm not suggesting we give up on our families or being an amazing mom, I'm just suggesting that we pay attention to when we need to give ourselves a reminder that we have amazing beautiful wonderful gifts inside of us that need to come out.  I've told my husband many times that I don't want to get lost in the world of taking care of everyone else and end up not even recognizing myself.  In turn he has supported me in my creative endeavors and moments of being myself.  I don't think it is fair to us or our families for them not to see who we really are... honestly what is that teaching our children?

I would love to hear what some of the things are that make you feel good about you, or that make you who you are... please leave them in the comments, you might just remind someone else of something they love that has been lost over the years.

*Why not end this post with a hilarious picture of me taking pics in the dark morning hours with my snuggle bugs?*

The BIGGEST BESTEST Surprise EVER!

A little over a week ago Andrew told me he bought a surprise for the girls and not to look at the bank account so I wouldn't know what it was.
I thought, "This is fun.  I like surprises."

We have been waiting for the package to come and today it did.

We saw the Fed Ex truck drive up to the house.  I was so excited to see the surprise he had for the girls.... What could it be?

**Notice Taurin's ripped Crossfit arms... or should I say, "guns"

The girls helped me bring it in... the label gave no indication of what company it had come from.  ("We"=Me, my mom, and sister had been guessing since he told me it was coming)

I cut the tape and the girls were excited to see what was in the box... they love mail.  Who doesn't?  I was excited and it wasn't even for me.

They lift the lid.... 

And pull out the crumpled brown paper.... 

What is it? 

What?!

Wait a minute??? 

That is definitely not for children?

It's a... 

It's a..... a...

a... 

a... 

a..... 

NIKON D300S!!!!! 

(my dream digital SLR)

& multiple lenses?!

& Filters!!

You can obviously see the joy/surprise/total amazement/holy cowness on my face. He totally had me fooled.

I was so happy like a little kid at Christmas getting their first bike.

(Yes I am hugging the box of wonderfulness)

THANK YOU my most wonderful amazing fabulouso the bestest husband ever!

This is IT... yes, I am giving it a kiss.

 

My love.

This is my love. 

My forever boyfriend.

He looks amazing in hats.

And has some of the most comfy sweatshirts.

He knows how to laugh.

He knows how to make me laugh.

He knows how to love.

He knows how to make me feel like a queen.

He's taller than me even if I wear heels.

He's strong enough to pick me up. (I'm a "big woman")

He supports my dreams.

He challenges me to grow.

He is the best communicator I know.

He makes my heart happy.

He is helpful.

He does laundry better than I do.

He can cook.

He's a great driver.

He's the best daddy to my babies.

The way he loves me helps me better understand the love of God.

He enables me to be the best.

I love you Andrew.

L♥VE

I came home and checked the mail to find a package.  I love getting packages they make me happy.  I opened it up to find this lovely gold box wrapped with a white ribbon.

Inside the box wrapped in tissue paper was this curvy glass bottle with red rose petals and a scroll wrapped with a red ribbon.

With great excitement I opened the bottle and untied the ribbon...  On the piece of paper with burned edges a poem of Andrew's ardent love for me.  My heart was happy and I am reminded once again of how greatly I am loved by an amazing man.  

Yes, it's true.  I have the most romantic husband and I love it.