I might be a what?

A real woman always keeps her house clean and organized, the laundry basket is always empty. She's always well dressed, hair done. She never swears, behaves gracefully in all situations and all circumstances. She has more than enough patience to take care of her family, always has a smile on her lips, and a kind word for everyone. Post this as your status if you, too, have just realized that you might be a Man.

When I read this on face book, I couldn't help but start thinking man I am a terrible representative of women. Then it got to the punch line, and I could't help but laugh until I cried. I am glad to know I am not so bad...

Brooke!!!!

Ladie's I want you to meet Brooke. She is thirty in Septemeber. I met her a few years ago when I got the awesome chance to meet her darling family for a photo shoot. I also asked her to do this because when I first posted about being thirty she responded back with a big YUCK! I am so glad that she was willing to help me out with this. One thing I love about Brooke it that she is brimming with confidence (as you can see.) Taking her picture was easy. Even better she brought her two beautiful kids along with her. Enough on what I love about Brooke, I will let you all read her wonderful words....

Turning 30. Wow. First of all, is this really happening?

Second of all, yes. It is. Let’s face it.

I tend to have mini panic attacks when I consider being thirty. Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, tears shooting from my eyes and hitting strangers in the face…that kind of thing. Is this something I should be HAPPY about? Is it something I should embrace? Well, I’m trying. I’m really trying. Thirty just seems so mature to me, so established…so old! I feel immature and totally not established at all! I guess I’ve just looked at it in the past like thirty year olds have it so together, and I thought I’d be further along by now than I am. I just recently started a new career, I still don’t have all the kids that I would like to have (and thirty was my deadline!), and sometimes I totally still act like I’m 15. Let’s be honest, I’ve been known to have a bit of Bieber Fever in the past. I mean, does this not make me a bit of a pedophile? Is that not something to be a bit depressed about? And this permanent scowl mark in between in my eyebrows that no longer goes away when I’m not even scowling is not helping matters AT ALL!

When I stop to think about it and really put it in perspective, there’s so much that I’d still like to do, but there are so many things that I’ve done already that are dreams come true for me, that I really can’t complain. I’ve been married for 11 years to my high school sweetheart and have experienced love like I always imagined I would. I’ve had two beautiful kids who make me so happy (and frustrated) on a daily basis that I just can’t imagine my life without them. We are all healthy, we are all happy, and we are all living and making beautiful memories together.

At the end of the day, when you consider the alternative, thirty isn’t so bad. I feel like I’m entering a chapter in my life where I will be taken more seriously, will be able to use some of the life lessons I’ve learned so far to better myself in the future, and am finally realizing how fast time really does go by and that I need to slow down and enjoy it a little bit more.

Thirty. I think I can do thirty. Forty though… now that’s a whole other story.

Mommy?

Sassy isn't she!

Not happy or cooperating,

And then we have the wrestling match of

the year that added grass stains to church pants, lovely!

I am a Mom of 4 beautiful children. I love each of them dearly. I do however have one that can push a button on me faster than any other. This child is my one of my biggest challenges in life. I have learned the most from them, and can truly say I will look back one day and see why the good Lord chose this person for me to raise. This may just be a therapy for me, but over the next few days I am going to make a list of the wonderful things this child has done, and can do better than anyone else in this world. I am going to take a little extra time and spend with them even if it is just to put my arms around them. I am also going to STOP and listen to them and hush my voice when I ask them to do something. So here is a little challenge for all of you. Give a little extra hug to the one who has made you crazy today. Hey tomorrow it could change to another child. (Heaven knows I have those days) And maybe even change your outlook on that little person you love so much.....

Here is what I need from at least 5 of you Mom's out there. Contact me via facebook, e-mail whatever, so I can hear about those times when life is crazy. Since I can't get anyone to want to take pictures alone. I figure why not bring your kids. Or if you are single bring you best friend even if it is your Mom. I don't want to talk about me all of the time. So lets hear what you all have to say!!!!

Kindness!

Last week while working I wound up on a wild goose chase. I finally stopped and asked for directions with hopes that this person would be kind enough to just let me photograph at their beautiful orchard. To my dismay I received and "absolutely not!" So with my angry customer in tow I walked away frustrated. We were running out of day light and options. After knocking on another door with no one home, I caught sight of this silo. A little farm that screamed personality. I reluctantly knocked on the door and asked my question. My soared when the answer came. Not annoyed mind you, but cheerful and excited. That someone might want to use their little plot of land for pictures. It was a far cry from the angry patron. Gratefully I worked and got beautiful pictures to show for it.

So I ask this questions why is being kind important? You feel good when you are kind. You feel good when you can help someone out. It all works out that people even like you more.

To really enforce this good gesture of strangers, just yesterday a woman with a large cart of groceries allowed me to go ahead of her with my one item. She could see I was in a hurry and wasn't going to take long so she looked and me and said, "you just have one thing why don't you go." I was happy as a clam because I was running late to pick up one of my children. By her good gesture I was there on time.

So farmer who let me use you charming farm, and sweet lady at Target. Thank You for showing that kindness has not failed us. That small acts really do make a big deal....

Now do something kind today. Pay attention, and make it count.

The Contract????

When you talk about kids with your spouse you have this beautiful image in your head. This perfect schedule that gets them in bed the first time. The up for the day smiles, that greet you as you are cooking a hot breakfast every morning. And many more wonderful images that continue to roll through your mind. Well in that same contract there is very very very fine print at the bottom that is illegible, and well just plain not there. This fine imagination of yours is beautiful and many of you might actually pull it off. But for most of us I say WHERE IS MY SICK DAY? Dad got one when he had the same achy body. He got stay in bed and sleep. I did not. I am a MOM.

I have been sick for a total of 5 days now, the doctor said is was a VIRUS.

So in spite of being ill, we must carry on with our motherly duties. We must first drag ourselves from our very warm beds, then the children from theirs. Feed them before the angry monster that causes my children to attack any passer by with brutal force and the start calling them terrible names. Get them to school on time, home again, and back to bed 3 to 5 times an evening. What to do? What to do?

I guess this is why women are so tough. We just can't lay there and die. Or "leave well enough alone". We carry on and will continue to do so. We will continue to day dream of the perfect day with our kids, and we may have a few on occasion too. I hope all of you can be reminded of why you signed that contract and can carry on even when the worst seems still to come.

Evelyn

This is my good friend Evelyn. She is someone that I have a great deal of respect for. She has the cutest kids ever. They are also super polite, and always have a hug for you. Her life is a stressful and busy one, but yet she still seems to have time to talk, and listen. Thank You so much for your support in this, I hope you all find what she has to say as interesting as I do.



Let me start by saying that I wasn't thrilled about turning 30 in the months leading up to it. Neither was my daughter. She suggested that perhaps I get so many migraines because I'm almost 30, and at 30 years of age I'll "almost be a grandma.". Nice. Thankfully she doesn't understand exactly what would have to happen for me to become a grandma, and she ain't about to know anytime soon. So anyway, the actual day of my 30th birthday wasn't that big of a deal. Just another day, you know? I kept telling people I was 29 cause I forgot, just like happens every year. In the (almost) year since then, I've noticed things about myself...things that have changed, and for the better! Here's a sampling:

• I don't care what others think HALF as much as I used to. I used to worry that my house wasn't clean enough for others, that my hair wasn't cute enough for others, that my chemical-free yard had too many weeds for my neighbors' taste (which is true, by the way, my neighbor told me himself!) Now, I worry about my house being clean enough for ME and my kids. I still worry, but the focus is much closer to where it needs to be.

• I'm more self-accepting. Am I a sexy 30 year old? Probably not. Do I like myself anyway? Absolutely! I think I'm to an age that looks don't matter as much to me as health, and I see my body more as a beautiful, wonderful gift from God that I need to take care of because I'm grateful for it, NOT because I wanna be sexy or hot or whatever.

• I have a better idea of where I am in my life. After having my 2nd child, I was devastated to know that I wouldn't be able to have more children. I'm not going to lie, it SUCKED. It still sucks, whenever I see a cute little bundle of joy being held by a new mom. But you know something? I don't have to wonder when I'll have another child. I don't have to wonder what stage of my life I'm in. I am officially done with the having babies stage, and I know that for a surety. Believe it or not, there's a kind of a peace in knowing. In knowing, I am better able to focus on the stage that I KNOW I'm in, which is raising two beautiful, amazing children.

Those are a few changes I've seen in myself since (slowly but surely) becoming more mature. And when my 31st birthday comes this month, I'll be able to look at it as another opportunity to ponder my life, to see what I've accomplished, and to make goals for a wonderful year to come. Birthdays are a wonderful time of renewal to me, and I am ever-so excited to do it again! Evelyn

Confidence

I just got back from my first ZUMBA class. I am red in the face and my legs feel like noodles. Most of the night I was doing my best to see the teacher and work the moves. I also was watching the little girl in front of me that had no qualms about shakin what her momma gave her. I thought she is just showing off, but really I was just jealous because she could move like I used to. So here is a challenge for all of you. Go try something new for you. Who really cares if the girl in front of you is better than you are. I am going back next week and I tell you what, I am gonna shake it, even if it ain't pretty!