I will outlast them! #30daysofREAL

Today starts a new month and even though it’s almost the end of the year, I feel like I’m starting over today in some ways.  Last year on my blog and social media I did 30 days of Thanksgiving for the month of November which was amazing, but this year I’ve decided to do 30 days of REAL with my in-real-life friend Jacqueline from Creative Outpour who I’ve known almost half my life. She’s an amazing person who I greatly admire- she’s honest, authentic and just good people. The older I get the more that I crave genuine fellowship with people like her.

So what does 30 Days of Real mean to me? The holiday season is a stressful time for a lot of people. There is pressure everywhere, even in the excitement and anticipation.  Perfection is coveted, strived towards and shared on all social channels– and many people (including myself) are guilty of story writing and image crafting our lives instead of actually living them.

For the month of November- we will be using the #30daysofREAL hashtag to share quick and hilarious stories of the every day beauty in the real, messy and imperfect parts of life. Please join in, I’d love to follow and see your stories!

• a blog post or simply a picture post a day (if possible!)
• an Instagram/FB/Twitter post a day

Day 1: I will outlast them!

I will sit and listen to my kids until they are done talking to me, until they are full and feel heard by me because this precious time is fleeting.

…and that completely seems like an impossible goal.

This may sound terrible to you-  but since this month is about sharing the real and hilarious parts of my life- here you go–> sometimes intentionally listening to my boys is super hard.  If you know us in real life, you know that my boys have, shall we say, lots of energy. I honestly felt I haven’t been able to keep up with them lately, so many the interactions I’m trying to be present and listen to them but feel myself starting to pull away after a few minutes because the conversations NEVER END.

They don’t want to *sit around discussing their feelings and friendships at school*, they want to talk as quietly loudly as they can about power rangers, poop and tell me jokes that have no discernible punch line until the fake hilarious laughing suddenly erupts.

There doesn’t seem to be a volume control.

My suggestions for quieter voices go unheard.

…probably because they can’t hear me.

They want to be heard. I know it, see it but I confess sometimes I simply don’t want to listen. Don’t get me wrong- I love hearing them, they are the most fascinating and interesting creatures on the planet but sometimes the non-stop chatter gets to me.

Even cuddling and hugging is difficult- they move, squirm and thrash around like puppies and I’m constantly protecting my face! It’s hilarity, busyness and also a time I don’t want to miss out on.

So, I plan to outlast them at least 3 times a week, hopefully every night eventually. I work full time and am exhausted by bedtime- but I will push myself past my exhaustion to be intentional. To take the time now while they want me, want my ear, want my time. I will stay until they feel they have been heard- even if I fall asleep in the process.