THIS Is Real Life

THIS is real life.

Sorry Dan, I know this isn’t the most attractive picture of me that I am posting to the world, but thank you for loving me still, despite my crazy hair, glasses-wearing days! THAT is why I love you!

You see, THIS is real life. This was me when I woke up this morning.

I remember seeing pictures of moms in magazines, on tv, etc. I kept thinking “how in the world do they find time to look THAT good with a baby”? There were days were I took record showers just so that Mazy wouldn’t be hoarse by the time I was done from crying. Wet hair it was until it dried on it’s own.

That little sweetie just didn’t like being away from her mama and I’ve learned, that is what I LOVE about her. Dan and I have often said she is a people person and we think she gets bored on her own. Yes, we are trying to teach her independency and learning to play on her own, but if you have met Mazy, you know she is a people person.

That is why I am thankful God has taught me to be okay with the picture above. And that is why I am thankful He has given us Mazy to teach me yet another lesson about life.

Granted today I ran some errands and threw my hair in a quick bun on the top of my head, just so that Mazy didn’t try to eat my hair.

This is to all the mamas out there who think that you aren’t beautiful enough or maybe aren’t “good” enough, etc. I get that we need to take care of ourselves. I honestly find enjoyment in doing my hair, curling it, and putting on makeup. I see nothing wrong with that and I see nothing wrong with doing none of that. To each their own, I guess.

But what I am here to tell you is that those mornings when you look like the above, it’s okay (and trust me, I have looked FAR worse!). You are busy loving your child. When we look at magazines or see the perfectly done-up mom, we are comparing their best to our worst. I GUARANTEE you 100% that they did NOT wake up looking like that! I can PROMISE you that. Maybe they spent 15 minutes getting ready. Maybe 1 hour.

Just give yourself some grace.

The majority of days, I find myself in ponytails and buns. 3 out of the 7 days, typically in glasses because I didn’t get a chance to put on my makeup and put my contacts in. Not that I didn’t have the time because to be quite honest, I could make the time, just like I am taking the time to write this post, but I just found it to not be important at that moment.

Then there are those days that I enjoy straightening my hair, braiding, or curling it. It gives me that extra boost of confidence I suppose. But no matter what I do to my hair, what makeup I put on, or when I showered that day…

I AM STILL A MOM.

It doesn’t make me any less of a mom if I don’t look like the moms in People magazine and it doesn’t make me more of a mom if I do (and let’s be honest, I don’t have a personal stylist or makeup artist like they do).

What I have is a husband who says to me that who I am is beautiful. Those mornings when I find myself in my housecoat (or bathrobe, whatever you want to call it) at noon yet, I am still beautiful in his eyes. And I am still beautiful in my Father’s eyes.

And I have to believe that.

Of course I want to look good for Dan. Of course I want to take care of my body. That is why I exercise, try to eat right, and maybe even sneak in a shower (okay, I do shower daily). But what he loves is me and me being a mom.

So who are you trying to impress? Who are you trying to live up to? Who are you comparing yourself to? Are you comparing your worst to someone else’s best?

Live REAL life. Be okay with REAL life.

And give yourself some grace.