Picture me {im}perfectly

I have a few things to share today. First, have you read any of the posts in the "Things I'm Afraid to Tell You" campaign?  

It is meant to be a viral blogging campaign about transparency, and I have to say the honesty has been so refreshing. I am so vulnerable to the trap of thinking that other women have it all together. Even though I know it's impossible to have it all together, and I know that in every person's life choices are made and priorities are chosen, there are times when I read those gorgeous blogs and marvel at the 'perfection' of it all. And then I inevitably wonder why I can't do it all as well as they do.

I just wanted to take a minute to applaud the women who participated and opened up about their imperfections, their fears, their insecurities, and so on. (A few posts from some of my favorites here, here, and here.) Their readerships are, ahem, quite a bit larger than mine and many of them make their living by blogging about the beautiful, the glamorous, the stylish parts of life.  It takes guts to be honest when you know more than just your family and a few trusted friends are reading - and when the brand that you have built for years is at stake. But these women have chosen to be genuine in the interest of empowering their readers and erasing the myth of perfection. Thank you, ladies, and well done. Your honesty has only increased my respect for you!

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Next, I am so excited about this weekly exercise of participating in 'Picture me {im}perfectly' - the process of examining myself and sharing about the not-so-perfect aspects of my life is humbling and it is making me more mindful of how I live my life every minute. This week's post came to me a few days ago when I had lost my temper with my sweet husband and my one year old son several times in one evening. I was sitting in a dark, quiet room nursing Michael before bed when these words came to mind: 

Love is patient, love is kind...it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Let me be clear - I wasn't sitting there meditating on scripture. I was sitting there stewing and being selfish. But God, in his grace, has a way of reminding me what is right (when I am quiet enough to listen). And I've had this verse on my heart ever since. 

Patience is very hard for me. I have to work at it, and I think I always will.

But, then, that's part of love too - love always perseveres.

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And finally, just a few pictures from this past weekend. 

The sun came out, and we took advantage. Saturday we took a long walk and played in the park. 

On Mother's Day we spent the afternoon picnicking and playing in Boston.

It was a really fantastic weekend with my guys.

I love them so.

Have a great day, friends! xoxo

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16. sunny days in the park

17. extra snuggle time when Michael is sick

18. skype dates with family who are far away