Fun

Sailboats

June 11, 2012


Last Monday it rained. So we made paper boats. Out came the sun and dried up all the rain. Thankfully, all except the puddles. Perfect puddles for stomping chubby feet in and sailing little boats.
________

Confession: I’m a sap for quotes dressed in pretty fonts with serene pictures in the background. 1) They’re creative and cute. 2) They’re warm and encouraging.

Going to be honest. Most of the time, that’s all quotes are: cute and warm during the present moment.

Umโ€ฆ hi. During the storm when I’m supposed to apply it? Chances are I’ll be more focused on the best place to duck and cover.

For instance, this week.

The week from (insert bleep).

The kind that make you think, “What else could possibly happen? Seriously.”

In brief (without being too graphic):

-baby projectile

-3 nights of no sleep

-agitated adults which leads to…
bickering

-1 very sick mama…
fainting left & right, lethargic, dehydrated, anemic, w/an intestinal virus

-urgent care

-bubba w/a scare of chicken pox?! whaaat?

-late late nights of Husby at work

This little post was bound to come sooner or later.

Not the discouraged, I can’t do this whole wonder-woman-mother-of-2 thing. But rather, a post about enjoying life amidst the storms.

Another Confession: So maybe I have experienced some doubts over the past few weeks about my ability to be a good Mama.

It’s hard.

But has been amazing all at the same time.

Prior to all the craziness, I read a pretty little book that my Mom gave me (yes, it has pretty little quotes with serene pictures of forget me not flowers).

Anyway…

There’s a section called, Forget Not to be Happy Now. The author relates the principle to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and how the once seemingly delicious chocolate bars go unnoticed when the new objective is to find a golden ticket. The lesson? Don’t simply wait around for the golden ticket to come into your life that you forget to enjoy the delicious chocolate that’s right in front of you.

How’s this for ironic?

A few days later I got a picture text from my Mom of her fortune after a lunch at Pei Wei

“It’s time we learn to dance in the rain rather than wait for sun.”

First the book. Then the fortune.

The message rang in loud and clear Friday evening.

More like megaphoned the message!

The house was a disaster (which if you know me, sends me into orbit), a husby who had to stay late at work, not to mention the outbreak of chicken-pock-like bumps on Bubba’s belly, spells of me fainting, all of us needed feeding but the baby needed feeding first, LuLu who decided to take advantage of the chaos: broke all rules and was found on top of the table snarfing our food (that’s what I get for waiting to feed us), toes stubbed by tractors, phones on both ears: one for the nurse – one for talking with family, tantrum at bedtimeโ€ฆ

It was almost too much.

Okay. For me, it WAS too much.

I’m sure these are all normal mom things. But apparently I’m not broken in yet. I’m like the new shoe that needs to go on a good long hikeโ€ฆ more like, all day shopping spree in order to break in her cute shoes.

I’ve got the blisters of inexperience to prove it.

But in those minutes of uncontrollable chaos I found myself laughing.

Geniunely laughing.

So much so that I cried. And not tears of sadness. Tears that made me think, this is actually slightly hilarious!

In that moment, I thought of the chocolate bars (how I needed to eat one) and the fortune cookie (maybe with a side of fried rice).

I actually did it! I was capable of living a quote – to dance in the rain!

And Sunday, the sun finally shined on our house.

No pox. No fainting. And a lot more peace.

_______

Here’s to rain that brings puddles for sailing boats.

 

  • Chrissy June 11, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Oh Missy how I relate on all levels!:) It is truly a joy to dance in the rain. And some days it pours, but what a gift. I am reminded that with the rain brings new growth. Food for the harvest. And boy is God faithful to provide an amazing harvest!;) I’m the mama of two boys also…21 months and 4 months. It gets a little crazy around our house too, especially on weeks when daddy is one busy guy at the office. But I relish the small pleasures. Smiles from my littlest man, impromptu kisses from my toddler, sweet messages left from the hubs just when I need encouragement. Life is so beautiful when you look for the joy in all things. Keep up the good work mama! You’re doing great!

  • Noelle Murray June 11, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    Melissa, all I have to say is that you are amazing! I always wonder how you keep it all together and still post wonderful, thoughtful, inspiring posts on your cute blog. So, it is nice to know that you are a human mother that has woes and trials just like me! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Aside from the fact that we all have terrible days/weeks, I love your positivity. Laughing at the hard times is just what I need to do! Thank you for sharing!

  • Ash June 11, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    This is my favorite Pink P post! I am a new mother to 2 babies as well. It’s amazing and magic and sometimes I’m in the throws of chaos i wonder where the day went … And did I do anything I ‘needed’ to? Haha
    Good job Mamma! Love the post
    XO

  • Shannon June 11, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    It must have been one of those weeks then, we were right there with you. Oh, a week I would love to just never remember! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Your posts always come at the right time. Thank you for sharing your honesty. Life is hard sometimes, but I hope that I can see that sunshine amidst the storm clouds and rain as quickly as you seem to. May the sun shine nice and bright for you this week!

  • christina June 11, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    very well said…straight from the heart and so real…much appreciated ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Bri June 11, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    what a beautiful post, I love your words! love the idea of getting the best of anything, cute pics ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Alexandria Smith June 11, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    Oh no Missy! I hope you are all feeling better today. I’m sorry you had a rough week ๐Ÿ™

  • Maggie June 11, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    This is why I love you, amidst chaos you start laughing. Hopefully I find a way to do this soon, until then I will stick with just taking a nap. Heres a quote that I try to live by, just breathe.

  • Cindy Chiapusio June 11, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    Missy, I am in the Mom’s Club that you are experiencing….welcome to your life baby girl…when my little girl was about 2 months old, I had this “day from down under” as you called it…and I sat down to feed her amidst the world falling down around me…and this song came on my softly playing cd player…”Bring on the Rain”…..my favorite line to repeat in those moments that still and always will come around “Tomorrow’s another day, and I’m thirsty anyway, so bring on the rain”….

    Love to you =)
    C

  • Michelle Pruett June 11, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    So, so wonderful to hear that I’m not the only one who has doubts of “doing it right “. Thanks for blogging all your beautiful honesty ! (:

  • candace June 11, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    Thanks for sharing this post! It really uplifted me and made me feel encouraged about those days where it is difficult to be positive!

  • Shalee June 11, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    I needed this post today after a rough weekend. I am a mother of one very energetic little boy and even though some days are harder than others it is still a blessing. Thank you for the reminder and I think I may run out at luch and get myself some chocolate! Your blog is amazing and I look forward to every post.

  • Allison June 12, 2012 at 12:10 am

    I think this is my favorite post yet. Not because you had a rough week (I’m so sorry for that) but because your warmth and strength shine right through all that went wrong around you. You are a wonderful mom, wife and FRIEND! You’re in the thick of it all right now, and no one said it would be easy. But the rewards are so worth it! Just keep taking it one day at a time. If I can survive life with a toddler, twins and a husband who is gone much more than he is home, you can too! Remember, it takes a village! Call on us…we’re here for ya!

  • Anna @ The Guiltless Life June 12, 2012 at 12:29 am

    Oh gosh, I saw on Twitter how sick you were and I was really hoping you felt better! I can’t even imagine how tough it must be with a furry friend, two young ones and yourself to look after! My mom had her two girls six years apart, so my sister was old enough to help her out with me when I was a baby. She intended to have us 3 years apart but I’m stubborn and took a while to come along :). Now though I’m starting to think that might be one way to stay sane! lol. You’re doing a great job, Missy, don’t forget it! Just keep laughing – and crying – through those moments. It’s good for us ๐Ÿ™‚

  • kim dean June 12, 2012 at 4:28 am

    oh girl. i wish i actually knew you, so i could offer you a hand on those crazy days. my hubs also works at a bank-bofa in charlotte. i understand the crazy long night thing, it is so frustrating with kids. is he not still on paternity leave? hope things get easier!

  • Ashley June 12, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    I am SO sorry for your rough week. You have it right though. That book is amazing and it has inspired me as well. Life is worth living and enjoying, even the hard times. There is always something worth chuckling over!! Hope you have a better week!

  • Chelsey June 12, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    STOP IT those are adorable. Doing this today while Caiden is asleep.

  • Polly (mom) June 13, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    Hi Sweetie–I’m sure glad you made it through your tough week, but did I have any doubt. . . . NO SIREE!! It was a bit of a process, but as we know every struggle has a silver lining if we allow ourselves to see it. I was glad I could be your sounding board on the phone/text, although far away in Colorado. Missy, I am proud of you as an amazing little wife and mother. I appreciate the difference you are making for good in lives of your readers. I love you xo mom