It’s Friday night and I’m exhausted. A few confessions about my week:
I prepped for this week last Friday and it did no good.
There was too much going on.
There was no time to manage my time.
My house was a mess.
I didn’t feel organized.
I was late to two different meetings.
My kids ate cereal three nights in a row.
My list of to-do’s are still nothing but a list.
I cried twice. I don’t even know why. Maybe because my youngest turned five. Maybe because I was tired. Maybe because a friend of mine is sick with cancer and I’m so sad and mad and stressed about her.
I didn’t get enough sleep.
Ellie told me I was reminding her of the mom on Brave.
I snuck in the pantry and ate spoonfuls of peanut butter with chocolate chips in it.
Several times.
I only exercised once.
I was supposed to lose five pounds by Spring Break and instead I think I’ve gained two.
I’m not sure why.
Oh yeah. The spoonfuls of peanut butter with chocolate chips in it.
Remember our playroom I shared with you not long ago?
And remember how it was SO organized and clean.
And everything was in its happy little place?
Well here’s what it currently looks like.
And yes. My son is sitting in a plastic storage bin watching TV.
Don’t ask.
I can say that even though it was a rough week there was one high point. We celebrated a good friend’s birthday by surprising her on our running trail. She thought she was meeting two of us for our typical run but along the way there were balloons taped to trees with a note attached to each one. A note from each of her friends telling her everything we love about her. At the end of the balloon trail we were all there to surprise her. With a big sign and fruit and flowers. And donuts of course. We all cried and hugged and had an “it’s a wonderful life” moment. I love my friends. And our running trail birthday surprise. And donuts of course.
Since my house was in such disarray all week I bought some lemons and put them in my scale.
That made me feel better.
New haircut for this little stud. He told me that he could tell he was ready to turn five because his “knees were getting so big.” He said it so seriously. I laughed for 15 minutes.
I guess there were two highs this week.
I also loved the sweet/fun comments from so many of you. They always brighten my day.
Ok – three highs.
That’s it for sure.
:)
Happy Easter weekend everyone!
Your playroom looks beautiful and lived-in and loved… just like it should with 3 darling kids playing in it.
Thanks Allison! I agree! And it’s a good thing because it looks like that a lot. :) Happy Easter weekend! xo
Hi Erin
Although playroom looks good so organized but I love it more when it’s all messed by children and that’s when you really know that you still have small children in your home. And how adorable is your little stud sitting in storage bin watching t.v. Simply adorable.
Thanks Shmyla! He is a character for sure. :) And I agree. The mess is definitely worth having my kiddos around! Happy Easter weekend! xo
I think a great birthday surprise, beautiful lemons and a cool haircut should count more than a messy room and some peanut butter with chocolate chips. Way more.
For sure Shelley! :) Happy Easter weekend! xo
So sorry you had a bad week, Erin! As for the playroom, just shut the door-that’s why it’s there haha! As for the other stuff, well you win some and you lose some. I appreciate you sharing with us your struggles that we all also have. Next week will be better! And Darcy’s sign is adorable-did you make it?? Happy Easter to your sweet family!
Thank you Jennie! I totally agree! Shut the door and shake off the lousy week. We all have weeks like that and for sure next will be better. :) Yes! I wrote Darci’s sign and my girls colored it. :) Thanks again sweet friend! Happy Easter weekend to everyone at your house! xo
Oh, Erin! I’m so sorry you are feeling stressed and out of sorts. I hope you can shake it off and look forward to the next week. That is so sad about your friend. Good thoughts to her for an improvement in her health. What a wonderful idea for a birthday surprise with the fun run. And your house looks like a real family lives there. I giggled at your son in the box and the proclamation that big knees means you are getting older. Golly is he handsome!! Big hugs to you!
For sure going to shake that week off and start with a new one! I know. We are all so sad about my friend. Praying the chemo helps. Thank you Jeanne! Happy Easter weekend to you and your family! xo
Yep, I know the feeling. Sometimes, I just want to stay in bed and do nothing at all. I love my kids and husband, and I have a pretty full life, for which I am very grateful. But it is exhausting at the same time, especially if you set the standards quite high on yourself … I am still learning the whole “It’s ok not to be the perfect mom, wife, domestic Goddess, ambitious fresh looking woman …”. I hope your friend gets better. xx from England !
SO true Marianne! You made me laugh! I think I am still learning that too.. :) Thank you and enjoy your weekend! So fun to hear from a friend in England! xo
{{{HUGS}}} Oh boy, that sounds like one rough week.
Hope you have a relaxing weekend AND Happy Easter.
P.S. That pic of Kole in the storage bin cracked me up. :)
Thank you Thelma! He cracks me up too. :) Happy Easter weekend! xo
I LOLed so hard at the lemons/scale thing. And then LOLed even harder at the knees thing. I hope next week goes much better for you!
Ha ha.. thanks Megan! I know – Kole’s comment cracked me up! He’s such a character. :) Thank you!! Such a fun comment. Enjoy your Easter weekend! xo
Oh Erin — I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Sometimes we Moms are a wee bit hard on ourselves. I know I am too and feel like a total unorganized disaster a lot of the time. Have a wonderful blessed Easter and spring break. Your little guy is adorable even in the plastic bin and love his “knees” comment! :)
Thank you Janet! I agree. We need to be nicer to ourselves! Enjoy your Easter weekend cutie! xo
Oh :( weeks like that are SO no fun. Hoping you got a good night’s rest and can enjoy a relaxing, family-filled Easter weekend. Kole’s comment was adorable! And that birthday surprise…I bet you all made your friend feel so special! She’ll never forget that :) hugs!
Thanks cute Gina! Hugs right back. :) Happy Easter!! We need to plan a BBQ after the break! xo
you’re human!!!! what a delight to see!!!
Kole sitting in the bin watching tv was hilarious to me!! And I love his new 5 year old haircut. very cool :-)
we all have rough weeks, the good thing is that you’re able to find the highs and things that make you laugh and smile and focus on them :-)
prayers for your friend Erin.
Ha! VERY human around here. :) So true! We all have weeks like this one, but yeah.. there is always something to be grateful for. Thank you so much Aria! Enjoy your Easter weekend cutie! xo
OH Erin! This was such a crazy week, and your surprise on the trail will definitely be the highlight of my year, maybe my decade! It was amazing. I can relate all too well to those moments sneaking in the pantry eating pb and chocolate chips! haha. love you! thanks Erin! xoxo
Darci! Love you so much! That will be the highlight of my year too! ha ha.. It was so much fun because everyone loves you so much. You are always giving to others so it was fun to give something back to you for a change. :) Enjoy your Easter and I will be texting you soon about next week! Love you! xoxo
Sorry you had a bad week. Don’t let it get you down. It’s clear that you are a wonderful and loving mother, but we’re not perfect. Have a great Easter!
So true Sheryl! Thank you!! Enjoy your weekend. :) xo
Memories are being made in the playroom. Shut the door and know that one day it won’t look like that and you will wish it did. I know you and I are a lot alike, but I always have to remind myself that there are going to be days that we just can’t get it ALL done. That was so sweet of you guys to surprise your friend like that. I bet she was so happy. Kole looks so adorable. You are truly blessed. I don’t think eating peanut butter of a spoon with chocolate chips is so bad. Think of all the protein the peanut butter has. I hide and eat just the chocolate chips :)
I am so very sorry to hear about your friend Erin. So heartbreaking. Will keep her in my prayers.
Wishing your family a happy Easter.
SO true Cathy! I know – it’s nice to have the playroom where it is so we can shut the door! Ha ha.. it looks like that more often than not. But yes – the mess is worth it! Love having my kiddos around. :) I am totally going to tell myself about all the protein I’m getting next time I start sneaking peanut butter so I feel less guilty.. ha ha.. This is why I love you so much. ;) Thank you for your prayers. My friend with cancer taught both of my girls in Kindergarten and has two little kids. We are all so sad about it.
Happy Easter sweet friend! xo
While Jeremy was in Kindergarten, his teacher was also diagnosed. She had leukemia. That was two years ago and she is doing amazing and cancer free. We love her so much. Will keep your friend close in our prayers.
Thank you Cathy. I appreciate that so much! Thrilled to hear Jeremy’s teacher is doing great. I think about your son all the time and am forever amazed at your strength and love. You are an amazing example to me Cathy! xo
Oh, Erin! I’ve had weeks like those, especially lately. I understand EXACTLY how you feel. Plus, when my house is a complete and utter mess, it makes me feel worse. I can’t think straight and I can’t function as my normal self. Having one little boy, a husband, and dog = a house that’s never clean for me. I sure do try, though! I hope you’re feeling better soon and I hope you have a good Easter with your family. I’ll keep your friend in my prayers as well. Blessings!
Shannon in PA
Hi cute Shannon! Oh my word – we all have weeks like this don’t we!? Life is wonderful but sometimes crazy and hectic and exhausting too. :) It’s always nice to have weeks like that behind us and new weeks ahead to look forward to! Have a wonderful Easter with your darling family Shannon! Thank you! xo
Isn’t the purpose of having a play room suppose to be that you can play and mess it up and then shut the door and ignore it? Just a thought but if the organizational system isn’t at your kids level of skill or maturity then it won’t work. My boys are still very young (19 months and just turned 3) we have cloth toy bins and everything gets dumped into them. It’s what they can manage. Your pictures look perfect (they always do) but I don’t know any kid that could keep up with that kind of standards. I’m sorry you had a hard week.
Hi Amy! Of course that’s the reason for the playroom! It looks like that all the time. :) My kids can have it picked up in 15 minutes. They are 11, 9 and 5 so it’s organized very much on their level. I assure you I never organize in a way that we can’t keep up! That would be a complete waste of everyone’s time. Your system sounds great for younger kids – that’s what I did with little ones too. Hope you enjoy your weekend! xo
Aw, sorry you had such a rough week! Kole’s comment about his knees makes up for it all! Such a cutie! Hope your weekend and upcoming week are much better….are you on Spring Break line we are? xoxo
Ha ha! I know! That comment cracked me up. :) Yes! Spring Break for us too! So happy to have last week over and our break ahead. Thank you! Enjoy Meg!! xo
Oh, I am sorry you had such a bad week. That was mine the week before! I think we’ve all been there at some point. Life is just so busy sometimes that it can be hard to keep up. I’ve come to realize when life gets like that, that I need to just slow down and take stuff off of my schedule. I am just not my best self when I am so busy that I almost collapse from exhaustion. So smart of you to count your blessings-good friends, beautiful family and sweet moments put it all in perspective. Love Kole’s new haircut-that’s just too funny about his knees. I also loved your little post about him turning 5. My favorite was his little good night routine. Hope next week is better. P.S. Spent yesterday thinking about your gorgeous pillows for your new sofa. Did your interior designer friend have to order them for you or where did you get them. I’d love to have some custom pillows made at some point. Thanks.
Oh, since I know you have no time, I want to tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to blog. Yours is one of my favorites. Not only because of your beautiful home but I love your stories about your family. So much love.
What a sweet thing to say! Thank you. That means so much to me! We do all have weeks like this, don’t we!? Makes the more mellow weeks that much better. I think you are right! I just need to cut a few things out of our schedule. Easier said than done but I need to try or I’ll go crazy! Ok – pillows! I picked out the fabric and my interior designer is going to have them made. I can definitely give you her info. if you are interested! She is so great to work with. You could order the exact same pillows if you wanted to! They are a little pricey, but she’s done other pillows for me and they are so worth it. Really beautiful, high quality original pillows. Let me know! And enjoy your Easter! btw – I just realized I don’t know your first name and I feel like I should! Totally understand if you don’t want it out there but thought I’d ask. :) xo
Sorry to hear you had a rough week. Glad you did have a few fun moments and your little boy’s haircut is fabulous! I am taking a break from doing bills and now I don’t want to spend any more money, LOL!
Ha ha.. take a break for sure! Thanks Heather! Enjoy your weekend! xo
Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend, Erin. Rest well, enjoy the time with your family. You can tackle that to-do list next week (I also have 4 things over to next week – 4 out of 8 – but I’m working on sleeping and lazing around this weekend)
xxx
I think I’m going to work on that too Marcia. To do’s: sleep, relax. :) Thank you and Happy Easter! xo
Erin, I love how honest and real you are in this post! I hope this week goes much better for you. Happy Easter!
And Kole in the plastic bin…priceless!
Thank you Kristin! He’s such a character. :) Happy Easter to you and your family! xo
Hi Erin!
So sorry to hear you’ve had a rough week. All of us moms have been there – sometimes things run smoothly and other times its complete madness!! And I completely relate to your hiding in the pantry with peanut butter…. Although I normally hide with the cookie dough!! Lol. No worries – better days are ahead!
Kim
Ha ha.. I’m a big fan of cookie dough too Kim! :) Thank you! Happy Easter weekend! xo
Erin, Thanks for the information on the pillows! I am not ready just yet but will let you know when I am. I figured you were using an interior designer because the fabrics were much prettier than I see at retail. The red floral pillow is divine and I’ve been looking at Ikat prints for my son’s room. I like a good pillow, lol. My name is Sue by the way. I still use my blog name sometimes even though I don’t blog much any more. I did just send you a message on Facebook. Not sure how to send a request to a website on facebook. I don’t use Facebook much (no time) however I am on it occasionally. As for cutting things out of your schedule, that’s the only way I can stay sane sometimes. Sometimes the to do list is too long and I’m only one person. I am working on trying to schedule some time for myself in 2015 and not doing a very good job of it!
Thanks Sue! Sounds good. I’m not on Facebook much either so we’ll see if I can figure out how to see your msg! Ha! Pinterest and Instagram take away any free social media time I have. It’s so hard to prioritize yourself isn’t it!? But we need to! If you figure out how let me know. ;) xo
Aww, sorry to hear you had a crappy week…. keep on keepin on sister!
Thanks Katherine! Happy Easter weekend! xo
Erin-I totally ate a BIG spoonful of peanut butter with chocolate chips on it this week!!!!! Is that enough exclamation marks?!! I guess I was having the same sort of week up here in SLC! Hope you have a great week and think of me the next time you indulge in the peanut butter w/ chocolate chips and know you’re loved!
Ha ha!! We should be eating Maverick yogurts!! ;) Love it Liz! Made me feel so much better. I’ll think of you when I have my favorite guilty pleasure from now on!! :) xo
Maverick yogurts with John or Matt running across the street to get them for us!!! Oh, the memories!
Ha ha ha… remember how John would always get the yogurt on his tie!? Makes me laugh remembering those days. We had too much fun! I can’t believe they actually paid us. ;) xo
Erin,
Happy Easter!
I’m sorry it was a tough week! I’m sorry your friend is sick. It seems so unfair! You both may enjoy the book The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. It is about a happily married mom of two who finds a lump. It describes her journey which is touching, truthful, and funny.
About the peanut butter . . . I thought for sure it would have been Cadbury Eggs instead. :)
Enjoy your spring vacation! May it be full of pajama days & cuddles.
Hi Julie! Oh my word – I’ve read that book! Years ago but I remember how much I loved it. Kelly Corrigan is a favorite of mine. I should give it to my friend. What a thoughtful thing for you to think of and suggest! Thank you! Oh and there have definitely been a few Cadbury eggs eaten around here as well. Those are just a given. ;) Thanks again! xo
This might be my favorite post ever. Like ever. We all have those weeks, but it’s good to see represented here, on this sweet, organized (and REAL!) blog that I adore. Sometimes when I’m cleaning and organizing, I think of your beautiful spaces that are all so neat and tidy and keep that in my mind as I clean. It helps to see that you also have messes in your spaces. Thanks for writing this blog post. Even when we prepare the best we can, we have weeks JUST like this one. Oh, and I like hearing that someone else uses cereal as an emergency dinner. :) Here’s to a better week!
Oh Casie! I love you. :) What a sweet comment! Means so much to me that you enjoy my blog. Yes – we do “real” pretty good at my house. And cereal has been a back up staple for years. :) Thank you sweet friend! xo
Oh my. I so needed to read this. The past 7 days have destroyed me, despite every attempt to not let it. It feel good to know I am not alone!
Definitely not alone Sara! We all have weeks like this don’t we!? Good thing is it can only go up from here, right? ;) Hang in there! xo
There are a ridiculous amount of ads on your blog, it’s so distracting I no longer wish to read. I get trying to make money but that’s a little much.
Hi Susan! Sorry to hear this! Are you reading my blog on your cell phone? I just switched ad agencies and we have been tweaking things and my mobile ads are still a work in progress. There should be less throughout posts soon on the mobile end of it. But obviously up to you if you don’t enjoy reading anymore. Take care! xo
Huge hugs. I think you are a rockstar!!
Oh I love you Becky. :) Thank you! xo
That was so very sweet what you all did for your friend’s birthday! I have recently moved far from family and friends and it just made me teary eyed reading that as I miss them so much. Treasure every moment because they are truly precious! And the playroom “messy”… all I see is a place where happy, loved children play and while hard to let the organization go (I understand I’m so type A!) I have learned through the years they are only little once and one day, I will miss those moments. :-) Your a great mom and it’s always refreshing to see other bloggers keeping it “real” :-) Have a blessed week!
Jill
Thank you Jill! Such a sweet comment. Sorry to hear you moved away and are missing loved ones. I can SO relate to that! It always takes time to settle into a new place and find “your” people. But you will! Enjoy your week too! xo
Sorry to hear about your friend. Sounds like it was a week of highs and lows. Hope you had a wonderful Easter1
Thank you Chrisitne!
So cool of you to share the real side. You’ve created a gorgeous house that was clearly designed with your young, growing family in mind. The “mess” actually goes to show how very tidy it was and shows how much you all enjoy living in your home. Having just met you once, I can picture some great magazine spread with you in a glamorous gown sitting in the middle of it all with a big smile. And peanut butter. :)
Sending good vibes and prayers to your friend. I have a similar one too, and there are some people who just deserve to never be sick a day in their lives.
Cheers, Madeline
Hi Madeline! What a sweet comment! I laughed out loud at your idea of me in a gown sitting in the middle of our madness with peanut butter.. ha ha!! Now THAT would be cool. :) Thank you so much. Honestly your comment made my day! xo
Favorite post ever… I guess misery and chaos love company! Ha ha, but seriously, nice to know we all have those weeks. I have to tell myself over and over again that the most important thing to my family and my kids is that mom is happy, (which is hard to do when a messy house stresses me out). But really they don’t care about most of the stuff I worry about…they just want me to be happy and so lately I try and focus on the feeling in the home and when things are going to pot…just remembering, I WILL have time eventually to catch up, but for now all I can control is me. :) I love this quote…
“One great thing the Lord requires of each of us is to provide a home where a happy, positive influence for good exists. In future years the costliness of home furnishings or the number of bathrooms will not matter much, but what will matter significantly is whether our children felt love and acceptance in the home. It will greatly matter whether there was happiness and laughter, or bickering and contention.”
-Ezra T Benson
During my crazy, less than stellar weeks, I try and remember the words LOVE, HAPPINESS, and LAUGHTER. It doesn’t always help, but sometimes it does. :) Thanks again for the honest post that I am sure we ALL relate to more than you know!
LOVE LOVE LOVE that quote Natalie! Thank you so much for sharing it with me! I agree with you completely and I’m going to remember it the next time I feel frustrated or stressed about my house and to-do list! I may need to print that one out! We DO all have those weeks. You are definitely not alone my friend! xo
THANK YOU!!! I really needed this today :) I love when women are open, honest, and transparent. Thank you again!!!
Thank YOU Jessica! So sweet of you to say. We all have days/weeks like this one, don’t we!? xo
So sorry about your rough week and for your friend. I have known 3 people in their thirties die from CA in the past 6 months and have a few young patients (I am a physical therapist) with some rough diagnoses that have been making me feel so sad! I am reading this book 1000 gifts by Ann Voskamp. Have you ever read it? I cannot recommend it enough. It really helps with everyday gratefulness and joy. I hope you have a great week! XOXO Erin C
Hi Erin! Three people in the last 6 months!? Oh that makes me so sad. It really is just the hardest thing. I haven’t heard of that book but I’m going to look into it. Thank you for the recommendation! xo
Oh, Erin. I am so sorry to hear that you had a bad week. We have all been there. I can totally relate to the peanut butter and chips – that’s my go to stress food too!! I am so sorry to hear of your friend who is sick – I will certainly keep her in my prayers. I hope you are feeling better this week!! xoxo
Thank you Susan! We have all had weeks like this for sure! This week is going MUCH better. :) Thanks for your prayers. Means so much to me. xo
I’m new to your blog and can not begin to tell you how much of a blessing it was to read your Friday night Confessions Post. As a mom of two girls I constantly feel like I am always playing catch up and fail at sticking to my lists. I love reading blogs but sometimes they can make me feel worse because the hard days are not shown or talked about as much. As I read your post I knew exactly how you felt because I was having a week like that myself!!! To see how organized and beautiful you keep your home it was refreshing to read that your list didn’t even work that week and your playroom was not picked up. (It still looked great though.)
Thank you for sharing your heart and home even when it’s not been the best of weeks. you have a beautiful family and home!
Have a blessed weekend!
What a sweet comment Charmin! Makes me so happy that post made you feel better. We all have weeks like that and with little kids I think most weeks FEEL like that! I agree that while it’s fun to read about all the good and happy and clean on blogs, it’s also nice to see some reality. Most of the time I’d bet there is a mess behind the camera. :) Thanks again for your sweet words! You made my day! I’m so happy you found me. :) xo
Hi Erin! Love your blog and all the wonderful decor ideas you show us.
My home is more often than not in a constant disarray, but that is what makes it lived and loved in, you know?
With two girls (aged 7 and 12 – growing up too fast!), a full-time job and a part-time gig at home, plus the full-time honor/blessing of being a mom, it is hard to catch up sometimes. I too close the doors to the ‘hurricane’-hit rooms at times! ;)
The main thing is that your kids are loved. Period.
A hug from a fan in tiny Bermuda!
Thank you so much Lucilia! Love this. I couldn’t agree more. :) xo