Today’s post is all about being real. With all of you and with myself. I love blogging. I love sharing my life and my home with you, my dear friends. And, in turn, getting to know you through glimpse into your lives. But it’s just that. A glimpse.
As much as I love blogging, I think it has one major danger (aside from being the cause of hungry children with no clean clothes). The danger is that we begin to think that everyone else is doing “it” better than we are. “It” is whatever we’re struggling with. Everyone else has better behaved children, is a sweeter, gentler mother and wife, is a better housekeeper, decorator, whatever.
It’s the power of the edit and the zoom lens.
So in the interest of encouraging you before we all spin off into the business of celebrating Christmas, I’m going to get real.
Do you remember these adorable children who were sweetly waiting for their blueberry muffins? As I am writing this post, the older one is enjoying some time alone in his room because he SCREAMED at his younger brother and shoved him off the couch. But don’t you go feeling sorry for that baby boy. He spent some time in the naughty chair earlier today for clonking his big brother on the head with Thomas the Train.
And these beautiful scrapbook paper chains that you all raved about? Well, the scrapbook tape that we used to make the loops isn’t holding. Every few minutes, I hear a flick and a shuffle as a loop pops open on the tree and part of the chain falls to the ground. Repairs will be made with staples.
Allow me to share my dining room with you. It has looked like this for a month. Actually, this is pretty good. I cleaned up for an hour last night. The dining room becomes my dumping ground for all projects in process. At Christmas, that gets a little out of control.
And that Christmas yakk on the chandelier? My failed attempt at creating something beautiful. It’s OK. I know it’s a hideous mess. And I have no intention on trying to fix it because I am done. No more decorating. I’ve got plastic bins that haven’t been opened and another tree that will have to stay in it’s box until next year. I’ll enjoy what is done and that’s that.
And in case you think I’m all sweetness and light…let me assure you that Monster Mommy has been hanging out at our house a little too much lately. And what’s worse is that Witchy Wifey usually travels with Monster Mommy. Let this be a pledge to my dear family that I will banish that evil duo.
So, on the off chance you thought that I had it all together, I hope this is an encouragement to you. We’re all just doing the best we can. Some days are better than others and I pray that my Lord will cover my failings.
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Dearest Kimba,
Your subject of being real has ministered to me deeply. I needed to hear that I am not alone. This has been a tough year. There are a few empty chairs around my table this year. Some physically and some emotionally. That tends to create an anxious mommy inside of me.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Thank you Kimba! It helps so much to know I’m not alone in the reality department!
Merry Christmas!
Hi Kimba
This was a great post LOL
My office is a wreck filled with boxes kept for moving and I still haven’t polished the silver for Christmas Day dinner for 12. I have a Christmas craft project that needs to get done (could it be any later LOL) on my kitchen table that I’ve been shoving over to let my family eat dinner every night and I think my floors are wood, but I wouldn’t know right now LOL
It’s not that I’m hiding it, but I just figure we all have a mess going on somewhere, so no one wants to see mine. Yours on the other hand is not anywhere near as bad as you think. Oh and your kids… I remember what that was like. Mine are just older now, but don’t think that evil mommy isn’t still lurking here in this house. She’s just yelling about different things
Have a Merry Christmas and relax. A wise woman once said “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful”
rue
OOOO I like the idea of a real party too! Really this was a much needed post to read! Monster Mommy and Witchy Wife have just come from my house too! Thanks
Fab post!
BTHank you for keeping it real. It’s an easy temptation to think that all of these other amazing bloggers out there are ‘better’ than we are, when in reality, we all have our issues. Thank you for this, and MERRY Christmas! It sounds all so familiar, and believe me when I say, a post like this is SO encouraging!!! Thank you for that! God bless you and your family!
That’s the beauty of life – all of the imperfections, craziness, etc.
Thanks for sharing!
Sounds perfect to me!! Life would be so boring any other way. I was going to do a similar post. A lot of magic can happen with the right camera angle.
As I was vacuuming, getting ready for a holiday party I’m hosting (trying to make my house seem like it LOOKS clean all the time) I thought about your blog. I love your blog. I love your wonderful ideas, your energy, the people who post on your blog. But now, TODAY, I love your blog more….because I can relate even more. Thanks for keeping it real, because realy people read your blog.
Merry Christmas to your and your wonderful family!
Thanks for being real. I have always thought that you were
I have heard so many people say the same thing about blogging. It is kind of like dating, we put our best foot forward. There is no such thing as a perfect family and if a family seems like they are, there is something that they are not telling.
I found your blog searching “how to hang a wreath on a mirror.” I love this entry! It is so true how we begin to think we aren’t as good as others. Thanks for being so real. Maybe we should all do a post just like this. I loved your wreath entry by the way:)
I stumbled across your blog for the first time this morning. I’ve been inspired and as soon as Christmas has passed I think I’ll tackle a few fun decorating projects.
Thanks for the inspiration and for keeping it real. What a great reminder during this busy season where we all want to get it just right all while keeping everyone happy. (I’m sure some of that is just hardwired into us as women.)
I love this post. I have three small boys and I always have delusions of grandeur about the holidays.
In my head I plan a Martha Stewart Christmas, but we end up being more like the Griswold’s.
There is nothing that keeps it more real than three little boys I tell you.;
Kimba,
Thanks for the photo of your dining-room table. My table looks much the same.
Ahhh, it is sooo nice to have company.
Jessie
I understand every bit of it! I took boxes of decorations back to storange the other day because I felt like I was making it more of a priority than it needed to be. We don’t need the perfect decoration in every corner to have a wonderful Christmas! Thanks for sharing your beautiful life and real family with all of us!
Merry Christmas!
Squeal with delight! I just now read that I was the winner of the Snowflake Tee! Thanks so much.
Kimba, thanks for being real and reminding us of that hidden danger! It’s so true. Have a very, very merry Christmas. Kelly
Christmas yakk… that’s hilarious! I laughed so hard, my husband had to find out what was wrong!
Kimba, You are real, thank God. We all know life is not perfect. If you want to see real come look at my cookie day. Posted Friday. That is as real as it gets. I guarantee a few good laughs.
Thanks for sharing your real life I am still smiling.
Christmas love…Jeanne
Your table especially makes me feel better!! I am really glad you did this post. It’s nice to be reminded that many of us have the same struggles that we go through.
Thank you! Have a Merry Imperfect Christmas!!
Kimba,
I loved this post. Boy if we all share our realities. Talk about opening up a bunch of cans of worms. It would be very interesting. I’m sure we would all find that we have more in common than we know. Thanks for sharing.
Deb
Awww thanks for that, I really needed it today!!! Merry Christmas to you and yours–
Were you at my house? Thanks for being real. Can I borrow this idea for my blog?
It’s nice to be reminded I’m not the only one! Thanks for keeping it real.
Great post. It’s nice to keep it real!
Thanks for such a great post. With Christmas coming ever so closer and me so not ready and feeling like I’m failing, it helps to know that there are other people out there like me and things don’t have to be perfect.
Shannon
Kimba
I can relate. I try to be 98% perfect, but maybe it is more like 90%.
So, so true! I’m going to have to blog about what my LAUNDRY pile looks like after all the business of Christmas…..and about how my christmas tree didn’t actually fit in my house once got it home which meant we had to cut off the top
THanks for the smiles and Merry Christmas!
I just came across your blog and was supose to red this post. What an encouragment to me as a mother that I’m not alone in this journey. Thank you!
I love this post! Thank you for your encouragement to all of us. Some days, we do need to look around and just get real.
I just wanted to add my thank you in. I read yours and so many of your friends’ blogs and it’s nice to know that you guys are real. I do envy your crafty sides and try to do some of your ideas… but more often then not, it’s just pure envy.
At least I know you struggle with “it,” too. 
I LOVE it! I was going to do a similar post but haven’t found time – ha! Up until Saturday, my dining room looked like the SL@H warehouse with all the sale orders I had to fulfill! I think I had 13 BIG boxes of stuff! Thanks for keeping it real!
This post makes me smile bigger than the most adorable DIY project.
Oh yes…welcome to my humble pie home too! I did a bit of a post on it this morning!
Love your “keepin’ it real” post!!
Thanks for being real!! It sounded just like me. Mean Mommy and Complaining Wife are at my house. We need to hear that we are not alone. Thanks again!
Hi there, stumbled upon you via Blog of MBW – in Germany.
What a refreshingly honest account of writing a blog!! A girl after my own heart.
Molly
I have a 2 year old, a 9 month old, 2 dogs, a house that we just moved into with hardly any furniture (at least not any without holes or stains) and no decorating sense at all. I have been keeping up with your blog and a few others for a few months now. I have been wondering what, besides my lacking bank account and full time job, has been keeping me from trying some of these things. Thank you for putting it into perspective. This Christmas we can’t afford any new decorations or many presents, but we are together. In a house we finally own and love, even with it’s empty rooms and mis-matched furniture. I feel blessed and thankful. Thank you for reminding me how lucky I am.
Just found your blog and I LOVE this POST!!!!!!!! It is SO true. People make all kinds of assumptions (mostly positive) about my family from the small glimpse I offer. LOVE this!!!!
Kim
A Monster mommy And WitCHEY WIFE OF LATE)
I’m sorry I missed this Friday. You spoke right to my heart. The Madwoman of Menopause lives has been at my house for waaaaaay too long. Sometimes I’m nicer to the dog than I am to my husband!
And you’re right. I read these blogs and think, “These are super women. They manage houses and toddlers and businesses and don’t seem to lose it at all. I’m just not that good.”
Thank you for reminding me that we all have our moments and we all are only human.
Thank you. Thank you for making me feel a little more “normal” in this crazy Mommy kind of world!!
Aren’t we thankful that Jesus does cover us??
**By the way….my dining room is my dumping ground too…haha!
Just found your blog- I’ll be back for sure! I so appreciate reading a post like this one. Nice to know I’m not the only imperfect being in the blogshere. Sometimes I get to feeling like I’ll never measure up…
Thanks for “keeping it real”!
I was going to write a post about “blog-life envy” soon. May I quote you and of course link to you? Let me know via email if you don’t mind! (mamastoff at gmail dot com)
Amen sister!!!! I hear ye & know where your coming from!! hehahe
Thanks for all the great posts – tho this is my "for real favorite!" Nester's fallen garland is a close second, along w/her pict of boys crawling on table.
Hope to see the Keepin It Real Party SOON. I could relate perfectly. Some (distant) friends think I have my act together with horses, chickens, children and decor – NOT! My tiny working farm house has all kinds of animal and toddler YUKK everywhere… (I have a 2 1/2 yo and just turned 5 y.o. Dec 27th – with a preschooler party here-phew talk about clearing the table too many times!)
You ladies in blogland have truly inspired me to try crafts I wouldn't have without your prompting and because of YOU my home makes me happier. Still I've discovered that aiming high, then cutting my losses when deadlines can't be met w/out a meltdown actually works best. So long as nobody tries to see "my" (dumping) room I can muddle thru…
This Christmas I fell into bed near midnight too often after I made all my gifts. One night I turned on TV to find the story of Jesus and prayed hard that I could keep my focus and feeling on Christ and stop decorating & gift making when too many don't even have a warm spot of their own. We had a leaner Christmas & birthday party than usual(our extended family gives to charities + small gifts), but it FELT much richer.
Thanks again for the crafty AND spiritual inspiration! Hope yours was blessed and the New Year brings you great JOY!
Hi Kimba,
Boy, you hit the nail on the head. At times I do go away feeling really bad about my house and my life compared to others more glamorous and clean homes. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one struggling with these feelings.
Blessings,
Heidi
I love this post. I think this is one of my favorite posts that I have read any where… a real honest post that makes us all connected and know it’s okay to have a messy dinning room table and to put your kids in time out and that all kids act up and also that we are sometimes Monster Mommy and Witchy Wife… that just happens.
thanks for keeping it real and sharing it with all of us… who are exactly the same!!
I have enjoyed reading your blog this year and I look forward to reading more of it in 2009!
xoxoxo have a happy and healthy new year.
I know I'm almost a year late, but this is the most AMAZING post I've read EVER!!! I posted a picture of my kitchen earlier today and I was thinking to myself "this is so fake"!!! My kitchen hardly ever look like that! After I sat the camera down it was like saying "CUT" and all of the mess came right back to where it was pre-photo!!! Thanks for being "real" because I think we all forget that!
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