you!

The {current} story of my life:

Ella went to school today in two adorable french braids. Might be because I'm the most amazing hair mom-of-the-year. Might be because it's been (at least) two days since her last bath and we were running late this morning. (Hint: it's the second one).

I blog regularly because I love to do it and you make time for the things you love. Something I don't love? COOKING. It's a big week around here if I cook even twice for my family. Last week's "home-cooked" meals featured a rotisserie chicken from Family Fare and a precooked pot roast from Costco that I microwaved minutes before setting it on the table.

I have a beautiful Erin Condron life planner that I write our family's (color-coded!) schedule in each week. I realized Saturday night around 9pm that I had completely forgotten to go in and help with Ella's class on Friday afternoon. Oops.

I look fairly pulled together on Sunday mornings and MOPS mornings (when you're most likely to see me). Those are usually the only two times that you can find me in non-elastic-waisted paints. My typical uniform: my "nice" yoga pants for going "out" and my sweats for staying in.

Yes, I exercise regularly (I've got money riding on it). BUT, I don't always read to my kids on a consistent basis (maybe I need to make a bet about that too).

I am a SAHM who works 8-12 hours a week from home with no formal childcare. Sounds good, right? My dirty little secret? I have someone come in and clean our house for 4 hours every other week because I tried doing it all and I almost had a nervous breakdown.

My point?

Things aren't always what they seem.

There are things in my life that I do well. I am proud of those things. I feel good about those things.

There are also many ways that I fall short on a daily basis.

If I choose, I can look around me and see people doing all sorts of fabulous things better than me and I can feel discouraged, even jealous.

I can beat myself up: coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Or I can focus on the positive in me, the good in me. My gifts. My strengths.

My things-I-do-well and your things-you-do-well are probably different things.

And that's the best news I've heard all week. We are all created to be unique and different.

In addition, each season of our life lends itself to different strengths and weaknesses.

Stop dwelling on the ways you feel you come up short. Stop should-ing, stop comparing. Celebrate the things you do well.

Extend yourself an extra ounce ton of grace. Today. Right now.

Embrace your you-ness and start living.