It’s Archives Week here at SMB, and this morning I’m featuring my favorite post of Joy’s! You can read all her posts here.
I think Joy and I were cut from some of the same cloth. The other night we shared dinner, and I felt like I was connecting with a kindred spirit. So, it was easy to find a post of her’s that I absolutely loved. AND since she’s one of our co-founders and has a bazillion posts it was VERY hard to pick a favorite!
With motherhood comes great joy, endless hugs and kisses…and also loads and loads of reasons to feel guilty! How does this happen?!? I’m not sure, but I know guilt is something all of us mamas struggle with from time to time. And trust me when I say, guilt does not bring out the best in us. Because of this innate characteristic for all moms to feel responsible for world poverty, cancer, global warming, and our children’s continual happiness, I find myself dishing out grace to as many women as I can. Lord knows I need it and I’m happy to cut us all a little slack. This is precisely why I LOVED Joy’s post that does just that, gives us all a much needed break. Enjoy! ~Noelle
Pajama Day
What mom doesn’t love remarks like; ”Wow, you look great!”… “You are always so put-together!”… “How do you find time to put on make-up?” I make the same remarks to friends of mine. Isn’t it the way it has been ever since High School (and maybe even before that)? We compare ourselves to other women. SHE looks better/thinner/fitter/hotter/prettier than ME.
My life has been a pursuit of finding make-up and clothes that are easy to put together and give me the most bang for my time. For instance, I use powder, eye liner and mascara in a pinch… if I have time I add eye shadow, foundation, lip gloss. Getting ready these days is tougher than ever. Reagan is usally going through my make-up bag and trying to mimic my every move. If I can get Elliot to sleep, then that’s one less person to juggle. Seriously, I just need 15 minutes. Just give me time to wash my face, brush my teeth and get a dab of anti-scary potion on and I do mean a DAB and I’m all set for the day.
But, there are days that this doesn’t happen… at all. I call them my “recharge” days. If I’ve been going and going and planning and planning, then I need a day just at home to do home things. I may stay in my pjs all day. Sometimes, I put on a sundress and throw my hair on top of my head. I deem the day a total success if I don’t get in the car. I spend time cooking, picking up clutter and dishes, doing laundry, and getting things in order. On these days, I spend lots and lots of time on the floor with the kids reading children’s books and being Reagan’s human jungle gym. Oh, and snuggling lots and lots of snuggling (if they’ll let me).
Reagan and I play and laugh and then we bug Elliot and play and laugh with him. Sometimes I turn on some music and we dance for a little bit. Sometimes I get out the flour and sugar and we bake something terrible for our teeth (and my hips). Sometimes we make a complete mess. Sometimes I even (gasp) turn on a movie and we watch it together. Sometimes 15 minutes feels like 2 hours. These days are precious to me. Sure, I want to look cute for when my hubby gets home (that’s where the dress comes in). But, it’s nice to have a day when I’m not worried about what I look like. I can just drink in these precious days because they are going by oh-so-quickly.
Would that drive you nuts to have a day like that? What do you do to recharge?
