September 8, 2011

This Is What We Call Reality . . .

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Yesterday I posted this super-cute picture from my SIL’s wedding of Hannie B. straightening Owlie’s bowtie. Isn’t it a perfect little moment?  It’s like my kids are from a catalog or something. Yeah.

One of the things that’s been eating at me lately is whether or not I’m really representing what my actual life is like when I write on this blog.  I would never want anyone to leave this spot of mine thinking that my life is beautiful and wonderful and perfect and theirs is not. It is simply my attempt to represent the best of my life in the hope I might lift someone else. But my intent is NEVER to make someone feel bad about their situation.

I am all about in keeping it real.  Don’t believe me? Go here, here, here, here or here. I’m awesome like that. Life is crazy.  And life is hard.  And there are enough things out there to make any and all women feel like they don’t measure up. I don’t want any part in that.

So, in the spirit of full disclosure, I’ve decided that once a week I’ll give you a peek into the ‘other side’ of my real life. The part I don’t necessarily blog about. Here ya go:

This was Owlie driving to the Temple. He was HOWLY Owlie. My boy would not stop screaming his head off {thank you pink princess phone for kindly starting this mess}.  Makes for a really spiritual temple experience. Know what I mean?

We had to leave him with his siblings while we went to the actual marriage ceremony. He was pretty thrilled about that – judging by his complete mental breakdown.  He continued carrying on when we came out and it was time for family pictures. I have a whole string of pictures that look similar to this one {click to enlarge}:

Nice of Owlie to swipe at his cousin in his anger and make her cry too. Yeah, the photographer loved us. We finally had to put him down, ignore him and smile while saying, “Whose kid is that? Geez, can’t the parents get a handle on that one?”

So,as you can see, life isn’t always bowties and butterflies.  Reality rocks.  It makes the good times seem pretty great. Owlie crashed on the way home from the temple after crying for almost three hours, missed the luncheon altogether and was revved up to dance by the time the DJ started playing at the reception. Good times.

Just keepin’ it real people.

8 comments:

Apis Melliflora said...

Keeping it real is my favorite part. Real is the roller coaster ride of parenting we're all on together. Sometimes it makes us feel dizzy and queasy. Other times, the ride is breezy and exhilarating.

Tobi said...

Reality is the spice of blogs. =) Bring it lady!!

And honestly about a teaspoon of my life actually makes it onto my blog. Every once in a while I have to complain on my blog too. =)

Danielle said...

interesting that you mention it. i used to subscribe to a lot of different blogs and MAN ALIVE. i hate reading all about their perfect children and their perfect lives. i don't think it's all their intent to come across that way, and maybe that's just me being cynical and bitter, but it annoyed me. i love reading about real life. i like your blog because even though the pictures are 'pretty' there's so much more to it. thanks for keeping it real!

jd said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I - LOVE - this. Reality is usually way more entertaining, anyway. (For us, not you :)

I can tooootally see you saying "I think we're done here." Hah!

Love you. Miss you :)

The Queen Vee said...

I totally relate to real life because like Danielle, some blogs can make you feel like you'll never measure up.

Kasey said...

Oh the trials and tribulations we live! Love how everyone coordinated in the family photo! Where did the girls get their dresses? Super cute.

Suzanne C said...

Truly, Samantha, I don't think I would still be following if you weren't real! I think it's very important, if you want to build women up, to let them know you walk beside them. Not in front of them. We all have bad days. Thank you for being brave enough to share!

Aiketa said...

There is a saying in Catalan appropriate when something is not what you expected or seems to not be right. It says something like "these things happen to the best of families" (I don't know if there is an English saying similar to that one).

For the record, I've never felt bad reading your blog. All the contrary, I just find ways I would like to improve my life nowadays or how I would like it to be when I'm a mom. All I can say is THANK YOU!