Reality...

I keep seeing cartoons making fun of Facebook users stating, "if only my life was as good as I make it sound on Facebook".

Well my life is that good! All the time? No. But am I going to complain about teething or a fresh teenager? No.

Here is my reality!
I have a 16 year old, is he fresh, Absolutely!
I have a 14 mth old. Is he sleeping through the night every night? NOPE!
Am I exhausted after getting up with him and getting up to use the bathroom countless times because I am pregnant? Absolutely!
By the end of the day am I fall down exhausted with slightly swollen feet, a sore back, and aching hips? Absolutely!
Do I wish my husband didn't have to work so many hours that during the week and some Saturday's I am a single mom? Absolutely!
Do I yell at my kids sometimes and then feel bad? Absolutely!
Are my degrees gathering dust on the shelf in the closet! Absolutely - the most expensive pieces of paper we own doing nothing :)
Do I sit on the floor most of the day because William screams bloody murder if I sit on the couch? Absolutely!
Do I HATE doing homework with my 7 year old. Yes! HATE IT!
Do I LOVE my life? ABSOLUTELY!

My life is wonderful and I am so thankful for this time right now! I hope it remains in my memories when things are really rough!

I love being pregnant with all the good and bad. Luckily, I have relatively easy pregnancies and when I am not feeling well I can't complain about something I chose, hoped for, prayed for, wished for, and spent a ton of $ on. My pregnancies and my children are wishes, dreams and answered prayers. My life right now is spent being their mom and even on mine and their worst days I couldn't imagine or want a life where I wasn't doing exactly what I am doing every day! Taking care of them, loving them, being their mom!

And even in the midst of an argument with my husband, I am always extremely thankful for his willingness to accept Nic as his son and love him, to go on the very difficult emotional and financial journey of IVF 3 times to grow our family, and for his willingness to work so hard and such long hours to support our family. And even more so his willingness to support me as a stay at home mom raising our children.

I use to think that God only gave us what we can handle. I no longer think that. I believe that God gives us more than we can handle so that we turn to him. There was a time that life was overwhelming - hospital bills, lack of hours at work, Alex working 3 and 2 jobs. I remember sitting and just pleading with God that I couldn't handle any more and that I was breaking and to please help. And, over time life has improved... I try now to turn immediately to God for help because for sure some burdens my shoulders are not strong enough to carry, but God's shoulders are strong enough for all our burdens and to hand them over to him grants us such peace! And that is not to say that by handing over our burdens we stop helping ourselves, but with God's help, helping ourselves and all it entails, becomes much easier.