Simplify

Blogging is a wonderful thing. So is Pinterest. But with most good things, comes a down side. Sometimes it makes things too complicated. Over stressing our lives and putting our priorities out of wack. I think sometimes it gives us a sense of who we should be instead of rejoicing in who we really are. The upside, it helps us learn new talents, see people's creativity, and learn about other people's lives. The downside is that it can take away our own creativity and cause us to feel self doubt when we don't measure up to them...or atleast we don't feel that we do.

Sorry I couldn't help but post this pic...she is such a little chubby cheeser!

I love this blog. She spends so much time with her children, helping them learn while they play and I think it is fantastic! However, there are times when I read the blog and I feel like I must be a terrible mother because I just don't have the time to do all that she does. Then I stop and realize something: That is not me. I have different strengths and I parent differently. I may not be the mother who plays with her children ALL the time but I am the mother who loves her little girl more than I could ever explain and I am the mother who is trying to help my child be an independent and sucessful human being.

Although I don't play with her all the time she is usually right there with me at all times. When I am checking emails she is usually playing at my feet with the printer. When I am making business calls she is right by my side smiling up at me. When I am cleaning the kitchen she is doing her best to make sure I put the dishes in correctly as she stands at the dishwasher. When I am Vacuuming she is chasing the chord around. When I making dinner she has to make sure that every pot and pan is out o the cupboards and scattered across the floor. And then there are times where it is total mommy-daughter time and those times are filled with moments of giggling, tickling, and being chased around the apartment! We curl up on the couch or the floor and read stories as she talks my ear off. We sing songs and dance. She goes for things she shouldn't and then smiles back at me because she knows she shouldn't.This is who I am as a mother and I am okay with it. No, I am more than okay with it- I LOVE it. I am not a perfect mother, far from it, but I am Olivia's mother and I know that I do my very best to be what she needs me to be. We always put so much pressure on ourselves to be more like other people when really we need to find our strengths and try to be better versions of ourselves.

As I was decorating the christmas tree- she already started to destroy it...cute piggy tail girl!

I read design blogs. I love them. I love looking at beautiful spaces and dreaming of what I could do with my own spaces. Sadly, I feel like my ideas never look half as good as the ones I see on blogs. But lately I've finally come to a conclusion and a happy one. My home radiates ME. I am learning. One day my home may be the picture perfect place I see in my head, but that is a talent- one that I am developing. Time and practice are key in learning a talent and the thought of it makes me excited. Regardless if my home ever looks like a magazine, it is my home, and it is decorated and created by me and I get a sense of pride in it.

I take pride in my Christmas tree!

I read party/decorating/event planning blogs on ocassion. Or I read friend's blogs that have just thrown a party for their children...As much as I would love to throw Olivia a huge 1st birthday with hand written invitations and cupcake toppers and decorations galore- that's not really me either, and to me that isn't really what's important. Simplify. Celebrating the fact that she is here with us is the most important thing. We will be surrounded by family, she will get presents to open, cake to eat, and lots of smiles and giggles. What more do you really need? I don't think FOR ME the stress of all the fluff is worth it. Now for someone who is really good at that type of thing it might be, but for me it would only cause a WONDERFUL occasion to become hectic and that's the last thing in the world I want.

Lately, I've just been so much happier realizing that I don't have to be a cookie cutter of every other blogger and mother out there. Don't misunderstand- I still love reading blogs and getting new inspiration for all the wonderful resources out there but I've just come to accept that I have my own talents, strengths and I can make my own mark on the world.

Maybe this all sounds so "DUH" but these are where my thoughts have been lately and I wanted to jot them down. I'm simplifying my life.