Not what I imagined...

Not what I imagined...

While growing up I imagined what my life would be like in the future.  Most everything I imagined was a picture perfect world.  Even I was perfect.  I was the perfect mother and wife who kept a perfect house and had perfect kids.  Now I am in that future and here is not what I imagined...

My house is not spotless.  There is lots and lots of dust and it could really use a mopping.  And the boys bathroom - well we just won't go there - let me just say that a certain 7 year old could use a little aiming practice :)

I don't get the perfect dinner on the table every night.  I do make dinner every day - except on the weekends, but sometimes it is just a flop of a meal.  Sometimes it is good old Mac and Cheese.  And sometimes  - it is actually pretty decent.  The important thing that I have found is that we always sit down as a family for dinner - even if that means waiting until 7 sometimes for Ben to get home from work. 

I know you all will be surprised at this - but My kids are not perfect.  They do not always use "yes mam and no mam" like I imagined.  In fact just yesterday - I was yelled to at basketball practice that "You are the worst mom ever."  That didn't settle too well and I had to discipline one of my not so perfect children - Something else I never imagined having to do. 

My 3 amazing kids

My kids are not all perfectly dressed and hair combed oh so perfect.  In fact, just this week both my boys were wearing pants with holes in the knees.   I pictured these cute little kids all dressed preppy and looking like they just stepped out of Gap or Crewcuts.  But both my boys much prefer the sweatpants and t-shirt outfits - so that is how they dress  - in the style that fits them, and since it fits them - it fits me too. (Although Sundays - they do dress a little more how I imagined)

A marriage that always needs work.  I pictured the perfect marriage where we never disagreed about anything.  What I found out the hard way was that a good marriage will always need work  from both sides.  And a good marriage needs to keep God front and center in all decisions. 

Children who are not healthy.  Before you have kids - you never picture having a child with medical needs, but we were blessed with a child who has medical needs.  This is actually what inspired this blog post. As I was taking Isaac for his labs to check  his liver function,  I was sitting there watching him stick out his arm (I do have to turn away as they stick him as I have been known to pass out), but I started thinking that this was never what I imagined for my children.  I never imagined my own child having to experience pain and sickness.

Not being the best mom and wife.  I always imagined that I would do everything perfect, but I am far from it.  There are days when I feel more successful than others, but I have so much to improve in my life.  There is one thing that I find myself praying for almost every night and that is patience.  I pray for patience when dealing with my children.  If I can step back and think before I react to what they have done or said I would handle things better.  I pray for patience in my marriage.  When I get frustrated when yet another night he doesn't get home until late - I try to step back and be grateful that he works hard and supports his family.  And obviously I don't do either of these very often as patience is still the thing I pray for every day. 

A child who struggles in school.  Watching my son have a hard time learning has been hard to watch.  And then I see these facebook posts by moms - who brag about their child getting all A's and my initial reaction is a little bit of anger, not at that mom (she should brag - she should be proud)  but because it will always be frustrating for Isaac in school.  And I hate seeing my child frustrated and know that he will have many years of frustration.

Even though it is not the picture perfect life that I imagined,  I will say that I wouldn't trade any part of it.  My life hasn't always been "Easy Peasy" (as JJ would say), but all the experiences good and bad are a part of our lives and make me and my family who we are.  And I look forward to all years to come of my life that I never imagined.   - I know that sounded cheesy - lol!!!

The family I love...