Thursday, July 15, 2010

Always Gets Me Thinking

I was reading this post yesterday and found it very interesting and close to home. I think we've all read blog posts before that have made us stop and say, "How in the world does she have time for that?" Or, "Sheesh, look at that lunch...my kids had chicken nuggets again." Or, "Her girls' hair always looks so perfect!" I do it all the time! Just a couple weeks ago I got major stressed and felt kind of down for not doing more activities with my kids. So I planned some, and subsequently blogged about it because I want to record these things and share what our family has been up to with family and friends. But knowing my own self all too well, I wondered if people would think I did stuff like that with my kids EVERY day. I sure don't. They are watching TV right now. Again.
I think blogs are like a family picture. There on the screen is the beautiful finished product, like a family portrait hanging on the wall. But what you don't see is the stressful search for matching outfits, the rescheduling because of rain, the HUGE tantrum thrown in the middle of the road, the refusals to smile, the pee soaked pants from waiting too long to go potty...nevertheless you are usually able to get one good picture and that's what everyone sees.
I love blogs, personally. It's such a great resource for ideas, recipes, feeling connected, catching up, etc. I just wish I could figure out how I, and I guess we, can all still realize we are wonderful women, moms, wives, etc when seeing all the great productive things others are up to that we haven't quite attempted or mastered yet.
And yet, I don't think we should hide anything when we are successful, talented, or happy. I love seeing that kind of stuff. It makes me want to be better. I learn from the examples of others. And I'm certainly not going to lie just to avoid I don't know what...I LOVE my life, husband, and kids. I just do. Life is flippin hard most days, but I really couldn't ask for more.
Not even really sure why I'm blogging about this...maybe in a way to tell you all how much I admire you and learn from you...and to remind everyone that blog post life is not real life! Just a way to record and remember and connect and learn.

8 comments:

Kendra said...

Thanks for that post. I really liked it. I actually have been meaning to write about this on my blog lately. Thanks for the reminder. Love your blog and know that like I I to sruggle every day!

Tina said...

I totally agree Jess. Sometimes reading other blogs makes me sad but then I realize that I do a lot with my kids but I can't be super mom. I always love seeing what you do with yours. Just like you, I'm inspired by you and your wonderful nature and cute things you do.

Unknown said...

I am right there with you!

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy reading the posts. They always make me smile and remind me life is good. The good the bad and the ugly. Keep it up.

Annie said...

Dang it. I probably should hold off on posting about my ten mile run this morning, the whole wheat pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup I made my kids this morning before I had them each do their page of homework and art projects I had planned, all while making a new dress I fashioned out of a couch cover I got free along with $290 worth of groceries because you know I am an expert couponer. Or...I could take a picture of my sweaty self sitting here at 11:00AM because I haven't showered and I just yelled at Audrey for bugging me while I'm on the computer.
Deep down we are all lazy trashes always trying to prove otherwise.

Nate and Shannon Smith said...

AMEN!! I wish I did more, blogged better. Took more pictures.. but thats life. and I love being able to read about my friends famlies and feel like I am still there with them even when they are far away dealing with peed pants ;)Just like me. love you girl, keep up the good work

Shane's Angie said...

You know, I haven't really felt that way about blogs, but I feel like that in real life an awful lot. I see a mom who teaches her children Spanish and I feel bad that the only word my kids know is Vamanos (sp?) and Dora taught it to them.

Hopefully conversations like this will help all of us feel a little more comfortable with who we are, and who we aren't and strive to remember that we are all in the same boat...mine just happens to be covered in dirty laundry right now...but nevertheless, it's MY boat and I love it :)

Sarah Lunt said...

How funny, I follow that blog too! She's amazing, huh?! So I've heard people say before that they hate blogs because they leave feeling jealous or like they don't measure up. I don't get it. Isn't it obvious that we always put our "best face forward" and not just on blogs??? I loved your analogy - blogging is just like a family photo shoot. I guess some people believe the picture is exactly what the family is and some of us know from experience that the family probably had cold cereal for dinner.
Anyway, I love seeing your cute family and all the funny things that go on.