Friday, October 25, 2013

How do you do it?!?!

The question/comment I get most often is "how do you do it all???" or "How do you get more hours in your day than anyone else?" or "I don't know how you do it."  The one that makes me laugh the hardest is #supermom :)

Well, here's a truth for y'all - I don't.  My house gets messy, my kids sometimes eat spaghetti-ohs for dinner and there is pretty much always a pile of laundry waiting to be put away.  There are e-mails I miss (sorry if you're someone who slipped through the cracks! Hit resend!!!), Saturdays I rarely get out of my jammies and we are definitely not doing a craft over here every day. :)   Occasionally I give out completion grades, I don't get to read as much as I'd like and I go to bed way too late. 

I do work full time and I do love to bake and do crafts and all of that so I post pictures of it and I don't want anyone to ever have the impression that behind the scenes everything is perfection.  I think that, especially among moms, there's a BIG comparison problem. I try to keep it real on my FB and IG (there's often clutter in the background of my pics and my boys aren't ALWAYS smiling), and yes, I do accomplish a lot (I like to be busy!), but by no stretch of the imagination am I super mom. 

I obviously appreciate the compliments and sweet comments, but would hate for anyone to feel inadequate about themselves as a mom (working outside of the home or not) based on a picture of homemade oatmeal cream pies on my Instagram.  hahaha.

If my pictures somehow encourage you to make a fun dessert for your kids or craft something fun - GREAT!  If they make you feel like you haven't accomplished anything (or enough!) in your day - just picture my closet... which is probably a huge mess :) 

Several years ago I read (and then reread later), Beth Moore's "So Long Insecurity" and one of my favorite quotes is this...

“We're going to have to let truth scream louder to our souls than the lies that have infected us.” 
― Beth MooreSo Long, Insecurity: You've Been A Bad Friend To Us

Here's the truth that I try to let scream into my soul when I'm feeling inadequate, less than or not enough...




15 comments :

  1. As one of your besties, here is what I admire most about you...you NEVER complain about all that is on your plate. Never. And I know there is A LOT on your plate! But you never, ever complain! I really admire that :). Love you!

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  2. I'm a new follower, but I love this post! I also work full time, love to do crafts, ect and my friends (or strangers) always ask me where I find the time, and I usually reply with, I don't sleep or my house doesn't get clean that week! LOL No one is perfect and I like how you put it out there :)

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  3. Such a great, honest post!
    I really am in awe of how you do all that you do, and I am grateful for the inspiration that you give me. :)
    There is definitely a fine line in blogging between trying-to-inspire, and making others feel like they are inadequate.
    I have to remind myself of the comparison quote mostly when I'm reading about others' vacations or new "must have" clothes--things I can't afford right now, you know? Happy Friday, friend!

    www.floralandfudge.blogspot.com

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  4. I really liked this post! It is something that so many people do, compare to others and what they may call their "filtered life". We only see what you (or others) show us...who wants to read about how much laundry you have to do or that your kids were a pain in the you know what today or so on and so on?!! I also love what Shay said above, that you never complain, I don't know you in real life obv. but I can tell that about you just from what you write. Yes, you are busy and you have a lot on your plate but you are generally a happy person who just loves life and gets done what you can get done! Really love your blog! And yes, I may have sent you an email about Christmas Cards a week ago so maybe I will hit that resend button today...I was just giving you time as I know you are one busy mama!! :)

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  5. Hey Andrea! I recently found your blog and I am totally hooked... mainly because I can tell you are the real deal. I live in Wash. D.C., am a happily married mommy of 2 boys and a sweet girl (my oldest has severe cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair), I work full time, LOVE JESUS, and do my best to serve him. Our house is cray-cray-crazy, but my cup truly overflows. Keep on doing what you are doing because YOU ARE an inspiration to us~ you even inspired me to make rice crispy treats with my middle son last night (almost 3 yrs old) and we had a blast! I also loved your "yes mom" post~ couldn't agree more. Thanks again for showing us your fun and blessed life!

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  6. I love this post! It is so easy to compare ones life to another when really there is just no need for it and I love the comparison quote about stealing joy. I might just have to print that out and keep it in my back pocket for future moments of doubt. Thanks Again! I love your blog and your littles are just too cute! Keep up the good work! Happy Friday!!

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  7. I love this! Thank you! I am a new follower to your blog and IG and I love that you keep it real. I feel like too often we compare ourselves to each other and then feel inadequate and sad but we are all doing great! What works for some might not for others. That quote is absolutely perfect also! Love!

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  8. Thank you for this!!! I have been needing to read this- the Bible verse really hit home. As a busy mama of 3 it is so so so easy to compare ourselves to others who seem to "do it all". It is also easy for things like pinterest (although the most awesome website in the world) to make us feel like we should be doing more crafts and amazing meals! Thank you for sharing and for being so real!!! xoxo

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  9. What a sweet post! I love your quote about comparison stealing joy. So true! We are all different, making our joys and schedule preferences different. I love your blog and reading about your sometimes-messy, always full life! :)

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  10. You seem to have such a great attitude about all that is on your plate. You always seem so positive, which I think is half the battle. When I get overwhelmed, I just try to remind myself that there will be a day when I miss the chaos! :-)

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  11. Great post. It's hard in the culture of social media to keep it balanced. Because really-are we all going to post pics of dishes sitting on the counter or talk about the fight we had with our hubby the night before? No. And then it looks like everything is perfect or that we want it to look that way. Talented is the girl who can get around that! Great job!

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  12. How did I miss this post last week? SUCH A GREAT POST!!!! Love you friend, and I love that you always make time for your friends!!! Your texts are often some of the favorite parts of my week!

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  13. How refreshing! Thanks for the reminder!

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  14. We love you, Andrea, and we thank you for always sharing fun ideas with us. No worries....

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