Life... real life

The one thing that I've come back to time and time again is ... reality.  You grow up with "fake" friends and "2 faced" girls in your class.  They are everywhere. And ya know, I've come to a point where I can clearly say, why!?  People are not nice all the time... some are not nice most of the time.  Why?  Life is life... why not live it honestly and enjoy those around you.

I look at the kids and what you see is what you get.  June may be upset over something I did or didn't do, but he doesn't put on a good face and then go destroy something of mine or run to daddy and rat me out or hold a grudge.  He throws a tantrum.  Right then and there. Cause and effect.

Granted, tantrum throwing is the biggest thing I combat with him, but you have to appreciate his honesty. Why do we mask things and be mean? Talk mean? Get pleasure out of gabbing about others' downfalls.

Meh.

It's so not worth it.  I'm learning to enjoy life... each and every second... regardless of it's beauty or utter frustration.  And why not?

Here's the other thing: things are not perfect all the time. I read a parenting blog tonight and it was going on about people complaining about "today's" generation then turning around and not putting stock into their parenting. Hm.  It's backwards and honestly, this is one thing that I'm actually on target with. (and I think this is the thin some may criticize me for.. being so so so serious about training and raising my kids well... and putting pressure on myself in the process.. anyway) It said to think how you want your children to behave in 20-30 years. Parent that way now... show kindness, enforce consequences, be calm, direct, and present.

I have my eye on the prize.  I parent because I need to produce well rounded "good" adults.  "Successful" people who can stand on their own, without me and make a life and making others happy in the process.

So that's all well and good but sometimes you step in my house and I am flustered, kids are fighting, babies are crying and it's literally chaos. But it's real: my kids are drones in front of a TV or hand-held game, in their own world and avoiding each other. They are present and their presence is often known.  Life isn't perfect.  Life isn't easy.  And forming "good" kids isn't cake. It's messy. It's tiring.  It's loud.  It's frustrating at times. But yes, forming and shaping people is the biggest and best thing I will ever do.  Life is real.  Kids are life.  Kids are my life.  I'm living life as I want to, as I feel I should and I'm being "real" while doing so.  What you see is what you get.  I may look deflated at times, but dude... it's not a front.

Be real because honestly... why not?  Why hide you?  Why hide your feelings?  Be real.  Live life. And start enjoying what you have going.  Mary Englebright sums it up perfectly when she said "Don't do whatever you like... like whatever you do."  Choose your calling... follow it and be real, be true to yourself and others.  It puts you out there but it absolutely gives you much more of an experience than you ever bargained for.  I chose to enter a life of marriage and children.  And I'm liking what I do. =) And one thing is for sure... I'm keeping it real. =)