My Life May Not Be Pretty, But It Sure Is Beautiful!

So, I know I'm a day late with this post...but maybe after you read it you will understand why.

This was me this morning...

My kitchen is a complete disaster from trying to make, and can, homemade applesauce with wormy apples and broken equipment last night.

I have big bags under my eyes from being up until midnight to do the aforementioned task, and feeding/snuggling my fussy baby the rest of the night.

I am in desperate need of a SHOWER!

Make-up?  Does left-over mascara from yesterday count?

The drawers in the background are open because my 2-year-old daughter prefers them that way. (I'm sure that some of the cupboards not visible in this picture are also open....if not all of them.)

I am eating a delicious, nutritious bowl of...you guessed it....fruity pebbles, since I had 2 minutes to eat before I needed to be somewhere (and, as a nursing mom, it is kind-of important to eat).

The counter behind the sink is covered in junk...because no matter how often I clear it, it seems to magnetically pull things onto it.

Under my feet, the kitchen floor is covered in crumbs, sticky applesauce drips, stuck dried cereal, and all sorts of other treasure.

As I sit to write this, I am constantly interrupted with fits of screaming or a dirty diaper to change.

It's not a very pretty sight!

Such is the life of a mom.  Working mom, stay-at-home mom, single mom, married mom, or even a stay-at-home dad!  Life is messy.  Life with kids is even messier!  Wanna know what keeps me going?

The beauty of life.

The pure and utter joy found in these eyes as they learn to take their first step, write their first letter, or just when they notice you noticing them.

The love of a devoted husband, who works so hard every day, and still makes time to wrestle on the floor with his kids that have been anxiously waiting for him ALL DAY!

The peaceful calm that comes from quality time spent with those you hold most dear to your heart.

God's daily "tender mercies", like a home, food on the table, the love of family and friends.

The pure, unending love of a Heavenly Father and a Savior that sacrificed so much for imperfect me.

These are the things that life is made of.  Sure, exploding kitchens, late nights, rough days...they are all part of it, too.  I don't believe that will ever change.  Even when my kids are grown and gone.  When that day comes there will be trials that are different from those I'm experiencing today.  But I believe there is beauty to be found in every stage of life, and in every circumstance.  Sometimes we just have to look past the chaos that is so easy to see, and find the moments of gold.

May we all take more time to notice the things that are truly important.  Let us hold onto and cherish those things to get us through the pandemonium created by everyday life.  Let the world tell you what it wants to: you need expensive clothes, perfect children, more money, or maybe a nicer house to make you happy.  But more and more I am finding that lasting happiness comes from worrying less about the world and what we don't have, and worrying more about the things that are right under our noses that God has blessed us with.

Happy Tuesday to you all!  I'm signing off to clean up a potty accident and tickle my son until he cries... ;)