Our Own Normal and a Weekend Away

I was reading Facebook the other day, looking at pictures of my friends and family, reading comments and then came across this article.  Since reading it, I just keep thinking about it and realized we have our "own little normal."  Little things that we do as a family to keep our sanity, routines that work for us... all these things are our own normal.  

I love talking to my friends about their kids.  I feel bad admitting, but I feel better hearing that other moms lose their patience and have kids that throw fits in public, won't sit at the dinner table, can't fall to sleep without you by them and so on.  I don't wish any of these things on moms, but it sure feels good to know I am not the only one.

Like last week: It was picture day.  Cohan had a rough morning, didn't want to get dressed in what I picked out, Scott had to fend for himself (like he does every morning now) with the kids and a crabby Cohan.  Ireland on the other hand... just fine.

Sad morning for Cohan

Sometimes it feels good to know that other moms take the long way home after selfishly getting a coffee, or skip lots of pages in books at night or don't always feed the best, most healthy food to your kids... simply because, dang, I'm tired sometimes.
Or let their kids lay in their bed on a Saturday morning and play with iPads and cellphones.

My favorite part of the article was...

So I tell you, you right now, you the mother in whatever stage of motherhood you may find yourself that you are doing just fine. You are doing fine if your kids don't stay in bed, you hate potty training (does anyone like that one?), your kids have melt downs in the store, you get exasperated, you sneak the last bit of ice cream for yourself, and well, you're just you.  Just keep trying, keep doing your best, and keep growing more and more confident in your ability to mother.

You know what your kids need? Of course you do. They don't need perfect.

They need you.

And because sometimes it's just healthy to get away for a weekend, we did just that.  Scott and I headed to Herman, Missouri for Octoberfest to visit the wineries with my dad and step mom.
We had an awesome time away...

 

 But, of course, just as much as we need time away, Cohan and Ireland LOVE their time with Nanny and Papa H.  They had an awesome time at the arcade, Mexican restaurant with daiquiris, dinner with cousins and more...

 Thanks to everyone for such an awesome weekend.  Our own little normal is just perfect for us.