Scary Honesty

Sometimes honesty can be scary.  Especially if you are like me, and incapable of being serious...ever.  Seriously.  Its a real problem.  You'd think that was a good thing to always be happy, but you see I'm not one of those rainbows and giggles type of girl.  I'm more sarcasm and sass. One of Señor Hotness's most uttered phrases is, "Can you be serious, for just a minute?"  The answer is almost always an emphatic and enthusiastic, no.  So I think it can be frightening for people when they ask if anything is wrong, and instead of joking about it or laughing it off I simply say, yes.

What could possibly be wrong when you have such a rosy outlook on life?

I'm going to get real for a moment, and lay down some truth bombs.  Kids can be huge jerks.  True story.  Parenting is often a crappy job.  Sometimes quite literally.  Sometimes a toddler tantrum coincides with the teen pulling epic amounts of righteous angst.  All while the moody seven year old is choosing to still be moody...about nothing, and I haven't even mentioned Joanie aka Destructo Girl who is often bouncing so quickly between things (translation: fiascos) that its hard to keep track of what she's getting into/destroying presently.  You know the jerkiness is especially high if you've ever said, "I don't negotiate with terrorist"...during church, in response to willful and vigorous pew kicking.  The tween is a pretty stand-up chic right now.  She's choosing to fly under the radar...I'm sure until I least expect it.

Sometimes parenting feels a little like trench warfare.  Especially when going head to head with the most willful five year old on the planet (and feeling like you are losing no less).  I always feel awful for whining, but whining is kind of my thing.  I enjoy the whining...it completes me.  But in all honesty I feel awful to complain when my life does more closely resemble the sunshine and rainbows than the doom and gloom.  I am not doing this alone.  I do have a partner in crime.  Maybe you've heard of him...Señor Hotness, and who doesn't want to a husband that is willing to be called Señor Hotness.  He is also a pretty stand up guy.

At the end of the day, even with the occasional heap of jerktitude floating about, I have five of the coolest dang kids around (don't even try to compare...mine are always going to be cooler than yours).  I feel it an honor to be their mother, and consider myself blessed that I am able to be such a huge part of their lives.  Even if I am often embarrassing to them. (Which is something I go out of my way to do because that is my job as their mother, to be a huge embarrassment, and I aim to excel at life.)  

In the end these people are mine, and I am theirs and I wouldn't change anything about it.  These girlies are my purpose for being, and I'll always pick them any day of the week and twice on Sunday. 

So make sure before you go to sleep to give a jerky kid a squeeze and a kiss, and just remember they aren't always the jerks...sometimes its you.  :)

GET INSPIRED: CRATE EDITION...6 Incredibly Awesome Crate Upcycles

If you are like me you have all kinds of things just waiting to be made awesome.  I am so very guilty of buying things, and letting them sit for a while until inspiration hits.  The downside of this is I tend to have a few random ugly pieces sitting around because I haven't decided how to finish them out.  One of those things I've just let sit are the crates that I cajoled Señor Hotness into letting me buy a few years back.  I stained a few, but other than a quick sand down they've just been kicking about, looking all, blah.

So after surfing on Pinterest for a minute or two (or an hour or two if I'm keeping it real) I came across these awesomely cool crate upcycles.  I love sharing inspiration when I can so I thought I would share these with the masses.

Check out this simply beautiful crate bookcase that Kelly over at The Lily Pad Cottage pulled off. It's simplicity is all part of its charm.

via The Lily Pad Cottage

Check out this adorable pet bed that Nicole over at Meet the B's put together.  Its brilliance it how understated it is.  Not only would any cat love such a rad bed, but this would also make a fabulous doll bed that any kid would be proud of.  I really hate toys cluttering up the place.  Not to mention that toys generally don't mesh with the overall aesthetic of a space. This could be a great way of marrying those two worlds together.

Via Meet the B's

This bench that Christina over at Operation Home made out of simple crates is pretty impressive.  This brought an awesome pop of color to what could have otherwise been a bland porch.  This look doesn't need to be relegated to the porch alone, it could rock it in any space in the house.

Via Operation Home

This coffee table that Amy over at Her Tool Belt made isn't necessarily a beginner level project, but it is an absolute stunner.  Her post also shows detailed plans if you want to copy the look, and who wouldn't want to copy this gorgeous style.

Via Her Tool Belt

Check out this ingenious drink dispenser idea that Jocie over at One Project Closer used for a fabulous bridal shower.  This was brilliant.  I have a mason jar style dispenser myself, and it didn't come with a lift for easy drink pouring.  So when I saw this awesome idea it really hit home, and it is also perfect place to put the cups for the drinks too.  Great idea.

via One Project Closer

I love how Cat over at The Rustic Willow used these crates to spice up her otherwise ordinary mudroom space.  I'm all beautiful things also being functional, and this project hit the mark perfectly.

via The Rustic Willow

Great ideas abound if we only take the time to look.  NOW GO MAKE SOMETHING PRETTY!