Realities & Blessings {at the fountain}...

Hi everyone! It seemed like this week was super long and then it was over in a blink...I know, really contradictory, right? But that's just how it was. But I'm here again for this weeks Realities & Blessings...because even when things aren't great, they still kind of are!

So here we go...   {oh, and the girls and I stopped by our town water fountain after story time at the library this week and I snapped some pics (of course) so they'll be your backdrop this week}

Reality: There was an afternoon this week when I was just a little on edge over something or another and sort of went off on a {pretty loud and semi graphic} tangent on the laundry and my husband's lack of actually completing a wash-dry-fold cycle including a statement on how he most likely just keeps pulling out one pair of underwear a day and closes it all back up. As soon as I had wound down from said tangent, the poor unassuming mail carrier knocked on my door, needing me to sign for an express package. Great. Most likely she heard every word and was just waiting for me to finish to knock. Or worse, she did knock and I didn't hear her over my ranting.

Blessing: You know, every time I witness someone else doing this exact same thing, I just smile and thank God that I'm not alone. I like to think that maybe the mail carrier perhaps feels a little better about her own possible laundry/husband tantrums. Okay, but more than that....it was humbling. And honestly, I think we all need a little humbling from time to time.

Reality: I'm having trouble connecting with Layla as of late. She has hit the point where she needs some additional stimulation besides what Maya and I can provide for her while Rayne is at school. Unfortunately, this has occurred near the end of the school year and, although we'll put her in preschool next year, we just have to make the best of things for now. Layla is not as engaging and verbal as Rayne and it's sometimes difficult for me to know exactly what she needs or what she would like. It takes additional effort on my part to sift through her complicated little self and get to the root of things.

Blessing: Layla, through and through has made, and continues to make me, a better mother. Rayne will say what she wants, ask for what she needs, and let you know when she's upset about something. With Layla, I need to pay closer attention and learn to give without her asking. It's a challenge, but I love her for it! The whole experience is stretching me as a mother and as a human being.

Reality: I had a long week of multiple computer frustrations and aggravations, not to mention a huge investment of my time and a big ole learning curve that I am not yet through...all in the name of expanding my knowledge, abilities, and capabilities. Honestly, as I learned through starting my soap business, nothing is ever easy. And every time you'd like to do one thing, you have to learn how to do eight others.
Blessing: As frustrating as this week may have been, next week will be easier and the week after that even more so. I am, in fact, expanding my knowledge, abilities, and capabilities and that is a very good thing!

Reality: I felt super exposed this week as I posted my first video blog {do they still call them vlogs?}. I wanted {and still kind of do} to take it down many, many times! Had I not had a significant amount of time {and a bit of money} invested in posting it, trust me I would have deleted the whole thing!
Blessing: You were all so very, very sweet to me...and to my crazy dog! And so many of you said that my words helped you feel less alone in your creative journeys. And, really, that means the WORLD to me! That is really what I had hoped for in posting that and I'm happy to know that is spoke to some of you! Thank you for all your kind words and for making me feel so good! I will most definitely do another one...only perhaps not as long.

Alrighty, folks...that's what I've got today! If you'd like to play along, please link back here and leave your link in the comments.

I have something very special planned for Mother's Day so I will see you sometime over the weekend!