This week M was diagnosed with an inner ear infection. (It’s her second one ever.) We’ve been having some rough nights so I’m actually relieved to find out there’s a reason for the sleeplessness. This ear infection follows a few weeks of the stomach flu (for all of us), insane allergies, and sickness amongst our extended families. Add lack of sleep, missed days of work, and backyard battles between Bristol and the groundhogs… and you’ve got a very grumpy Audrey.
I’d love to say I’m holding it together with the grace of a good Christian Pinterest-mom, but I am very much not. I apologized to K and said, “I know I’m not a lot of fun to be around around.” He informed me that I wasn’t wrong.
How does Joanna Gaines do it? Believe me when I say I am not jealous of her- five children and a home/media conglomerate is not my dream. But is there a Hearth & Hand collection of boxed Gaines-energy…? Because I’d like to order a set.
I have my strengths but I have my weakness, too, and sometimes they shine bright like a diamond. I feel like I’m dropping the ball more often than balancing it. *And it’s a boulder. It might just be a weird stage of pandemic life. I hope it’s just a weird stage of pandemic life. Or maybe this is the new normal as a mom of a toddler who doesn’t sit still EVER.
My kitchen is messy. Our toilets need bleached. I don’t know the last time M “brushed” her teeth. The dogs are behind on flea & tick AND Enzo has an infection. PLUS the deep freeze lost power and I need to scrub the rotten blood out of it. Not to mention the garden beds have weeds, the vacuum is collecting spider webs, and there are actual spiders that M enjoys watching living between the glass and screen in the windows.
I’m like a less glamorous, mildly disgusting Morticia Addams.
Then, this week, someone told me that they think really highly of me.
And it caught me completely off guard.
I try to be very real online and IRL. I try to share the dirt as often as I do the highlights. So… it was just an incredibly flattering compliment from a distant friend (who is equally more so killing it out there in the world).
And so, even if your porcelain bowl is a little more marbled, please know that someone out there thinks you’re doing a swell job. Maybe it’s your spouse, maybe it’s an internet friend, maybe it’s your cat. But someone is cheering for you.
Have a super weekend ❤️
Life as Louise 
Ok, so here is my pep talk.
Joanna Gaines has make up and hair people. She has an entire team of people helping her stage those houses and get the lighting right. I don’t know this for sure, but I can almost guarantee she has a nanny and a housekeeper-if not more than one. Her job is to share pretty things, not the ugly. Same goes for the Pinterest moms. They took 47 pictures to get the one good one that got shared. You are not seeing the disaster mess in the kitchen that it took to get the one Instagram shot of whatever they baked with their cute kids – ya know?
I think you are being mean to yourself! You’d never describe a friend like a disgusting Morticia Adams!! LOL
This one compliment changed your perspective a little bit, which shows how important it is that we drown people in praise and compliments!! But more importantly you need to compliment yourself!! You are rocking it! You are keeping your beautiful amazing daughter alive! Everyone is cheering for you! No one thinks you are a disgusting Morticia Adams! (I keep laughing at this thought)
Sorry for all the !!! I just want to be one of those people cheering for you. LOL
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Kristen, you’ve absolutely 100% nailed it!!
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Ugh, you’re too dang kind. And so right!
The other day I saw where a wealthy person/celebrity was looking for a night-nanny. I was like, “WHAT? That’s a thing??!” If I had a night-nanny I think I’d be a totally different human. If I had a DAY nanny I’d probably be different 😀 Haha. You’re so correct- Joanna Gaines has the help. Which, good for her- I don’t know how she’d be sane and happy without it!
(The macabre side of me doesn’t mind being Morticia Addams- LOL.)
Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement, Kristen 🙂 I really appreciate it. And you’re so right about compliments. I saw something the other day that said we’re given an unlimited amount of compliments and encouragement to share so we shouldn’t hesitate. I think that speaks to your outlook. Thank you! ❤
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This is why I love you & think you’re awesome… real life HAPPENS man & if you have that Joanna Gaines attitude all the time, I side eye you – because that’s not real – even if you are a Christian-Pinterest mom. & dont feel bad – I havent been much fun since March 2020 – LOL
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Hahahaha- I will NEVER be the happy-go-lucky J.G. LOL but I’ll always be a realist with a grateful attitude so there’s that. Ha. Ugh… I think I’m only starting to be fun again. Ha.
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It sounds like you have a lot going on! It’d hardly surprising you can’t keep on top of everything – you’re only human. I hope M recovers from her ear infection soon and you all get some sleep. And if it makes you feel any better I have neither dogs nor toddlers and our flat is currently an absolute disaster! I do have my reasons for not doing much this weekend but it doesn’t stop me feeling bad about it.
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Being human is definitely not enough sometimes (or so it seems, lol). M’s ear infection turned into a double ear infection SIGH. But she’s on the mend now and everyone is doing better. Our house is still a mess, though. And it was before a kid- so no worries! You’re not alone!
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