I confess, I don't communicate or share details well at all. We can also add in not accepting help. It's a BIG weakness and sometimes I think it gives the appearance that I have it all together. I don't like giving off that impression so here I am to air some things out that have been on my mind lately. Brace yourself....
* My two year old wears me out. I've never had one like this before and there is no break from his constant curiosity. Seriously he is the live version of Curious George. We have so many stories to tell about his mishaps that I wouldn't know where to begin. He is also VERY loud which is embarrassing when out and about as one who worries about what others think about her. I'm thinking God is working on me to get over that part of my personality. Could it be because eventually I'll have a child that looks nothing like me? I do try to keep it in perspective and know that there are lots of people that deal with much more difficult things on a daily basis. Such as having multiples, autism, disabilities, etc. I am fortunate, just worn out by the end of the day like every other mom.
* After driving hundreds of miles familiarizing ourselves with Greensboro, we have finally found a neighborhood we would love to be in. The bad news is that they are homes from the 50's and the idea of a 12x12 master with a closet the size of a door does not appeal to me. But, the price is right so most likely we will have to do another whole house renovation. It took us 5 out of 6 years to finish our current 70's split level and we've added 2 more children to the picture. We love character, big wooded lots, and convenience so I'm semi-ok with this idea as long as we can squeeze in a garage for my hard-working husband this time who does all the renovating.
* It's been 18 months since we've had a family vacation. Not that I'm counting :) No mountains, no week at the beach,no great -grandma's, no disneyworld, natta. I struggle watching others go on all these nice trips and get a little jealous. Just being real, but I know we were being smart with what we have and the idea is to save for the bigger picture right now which is this adoption. Not to mention said Curious George is extremely frightened by large furry dressed up creatures, so Disneyworld will have to wait.
*I've been feeling disconnected from or maybe disappointed by a lot of people for about 9 months now. Thankful God has given me new friendships that have transpired within these 9 months to keep me a float. When I take a step back I see God just preparing us to move. Instead of being so torn from saying goodbye to long time friends, I'll be ok with it and look forward to new relationships He has in store for us. I love the fact that facebook and watching others blogs can still keep us together. We're still here until our house sells so let me know if you ever want to get together.
* I dislike talking on the phone, it's awkward, I never have much to say making the other person feel awkward, therefore I love texting although I'm super slow or can't find my phone to return in a timely manner. My husband received a new iPhone from work and I was lucky enough to receive his old one. Besides inheriting his million and one contacts from past work, I'm loving it. By the way I struggle on the phone with him as well; this long distance thing is not good for us.
* I struggle with weight, always have since I was a teenager. You're probably laughing so let me clarify. I constantly think about it. I know it all started in High School when one night at dinner my brother said I was fat. Mean right, but I have him to thank because from that moment on I started paying attention to what was going in and the energy that was or was not going out. I decided that to keep eating what I love, I had to work hard at burning some of it off. So work outs are a priority and it makes me happy. I am a closet Nordic Track skier. Yep, most people know those as a clothes hanger, but I got mine for 100 bucks (thanks Dottie) about 9 years ago and use it 3 times a week on top of classes I take at the Y. David still swears I'm the only person in the world that uses one. I've since packed it in order to show our house and wondering if that's why I've been so edgy lately. On a side note, I would one day love to be some type of personal trainer or teach classes to help others get healthy.
* I am not a friendly person in the morning and quite frankly Sunday's are the worst. That is unfortunate because it is suppose to be a happy day of rest. Probably has something to do with the fact it's our earliest morning of the week to get to church by 8 am and I don't have time to enjoy my wake-up juice (coffee). It also doesn't help that my oldest child requires very little sleep. When not in school he wakes up around 5:30. Luckily he plays by himself now, but I seem to get a better start when I'm the first one up. I don't know why that is. I've only been able to get up before him a handful of times in the last 7 years which is usually when he's sick. I would love to change this about me.
* I want a minivan. That's right you heard me. I'm done with the clunky, gas guzzling suburban. The space is great, but that's it. I had a minivan back in 2006 but got rid of it to get a more gas efficient vehicle during the high gas days at that time. So we got the least family friendly vehicle ever, a civic. I also think I was going through an "I'm 30 now and want to look like a cool mom" phase so then I ended up with a Honda Pilot and then a Suburban. Oh the decisions we make that I wish I could erase. We call those stupid tax around here. Minivans are just practical and gas efficient for larger families, so I'm done with image and moving on to practical.
* I feel like the black sheep in the Corbett family. David, his brothers and sister are all good looking kids or at least I think they are. My sister-in-laws are both gorgeous, skinny, and tan and then there is me....broad shouldered, pale, and freckles from head to toe. If we are at the lake or beach together I tend to stick out like a sore thumb. I've come to accept and love the qualities that God has given me, but I do still struggle, especially around family. There I said it. I'm excited and nervous to see who the youngest brother will marry - anyone around 25 interested?
Call me crazy, messed up, or whatever you want, but thanks for letting me share and be real. I already feel better. If anything hopefully this let's you see I'm human and struggle with a lot of the same things you might struggle with. Oh and Happy New Year!
I think this is my favorite post of all time. Not just my favorite post of yours, but of any blog I've ever read.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your honesty. You just typed what everyone else in the world is feeling, but won't say out loud. Why is it that we often feel people will judge us for feeling certain ways about certain things? I love that you put it all out there... and I found we have many things in common! Here are my comments:
1. The curious george comparison made me laugh out loud. Oh little Jay... what an adorable little man!
2. I know you will find a home you love, and make it yours. However, its your hospitality and willingness to serve that makes your home so beautiful.
3. I have felt the same disconnection from friends as well. I felt guilty about this for a long time, but have since come to realize that you can't force a friendship... and its ok to let go of them sometimes.
4. I LOATHE talking on the phone! I don't even like talking to my hubby on the phone, either. Instead, we text all throughout the day.
5. I did laugh when you said you struggled with weight. The reason is because every time I see you, I wonder how you look so amazing, and I will be honest and admit that I feel a twinge of jealousy. :)
6. If you think you are the black sheep, you are so mistaken. You are beautiful. You are also one of kindest, most generous, most encouraging people I have ever known. I just wish I had been given more time to have you in my life before y'all up and decided to move away. ;)
Love your family, everything about it! Thanks for writing such a wonderful post!
Yep crazy and messed up, but not for the reasons you think you are! ;p Sheesh, you are gorgeous I cannot believe you don't know that!!
ReplyDeleteMy FIL made sure to tell me once how when you were pregnant you did not even look pregnant. This mama who got real tubby three times sure appreciated that! Haha!
And just to encourage you...we have not really vacationed since 2009. And it is okay. But I had a reallllly hard time this past summer. It had been a stressful year and I really just wanted to retreat with my family. But I couldn't. And that is when I had to learn the Lord was enough. But it was hard, and I was green-eyed a good while. BUT, we also paid for an adoption debt-free, we are about to pay off some braces, and hopefully after tax time will be paying off Ted's car. Those things have made it worth it!!
Oh Laura...this is SO honest. While I knew some of those things others surprised me..like you are GORGEOUS! Don't let lies creep in, girl.
ReplyDelete-I'm with ya on the phone thing..i do it out of necessity hence fb messaging you all the time:)
-exercise...you do it too much and are tiny..as in disappearing but i could def use the personal training:)
-i love jay...he's just like kinsey was:) in every way. except he doesn't have almond eyes..
-i wanted a minivan when i was 10 and 16 and 20...always:) (was never cool)
-i think you are friendly..and GIRL you better ask me for help if you ever need it. i will be there. or cook for you. or watch the kids:). you're awesome.
-and last...i am BEYOND thankful that God has blessed me with your friendship and know when you move we'll grow closer when i come visit:) love you, girl!
I'll be praying for you today, for Jesus to comfort & guide, & even to help you feel pretty. You don't need me to tell you that you have a lot of major stressors right now. We ALL struggle like this, girlfriend, & to quote the wise woman who introduced us, "these days WILL BE REDEEMED." Hugs to you, Laura.
ReplyDeleteLoved it. Loved your realness. Thank you for putting into words so many things that they rest of us struggle and deal with all the time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a refreshing post! I admire your willingness to post it - I'm too insecure to "air" my feelings like this.
ReplyDeleteI do, however, feel convicted that I'm in that "dropped of the face of the earth in the last 9 months" category. I assure you it isn't personal. Let's get together.
PS. You always look "skinny" too me!
Don't know where to start! I've learned more about you in this post than in years of seeing you at church! Yes, we all have struggles in these or other areas. (Please don't think poorly of me because I LOOOOOOVE my Suburban.)
ReplyDeleteDitto Amy's comments~ But you are one of the most attractive young women I know, so it was surprising that you see yourself otherwise. Of course, not really surprising because Satan loves to show us all our flaws, real or imagined. I'm talking about outward beauty, but you also are one of the most gorgeous women on the inside that I know!
ReplyDeleteYou have had a huge amount on your plate over the last many months, so doubts (about many things) are bound to creep in.
I'd love to have you as my personal trainer! I guess that means I'd have to actually get serious about exercising...
Seems like mini vans would be the most practical vehicle for a family, but we all make "mistakes..." When we bought my car it HAD to have a 3rd seat for when we take all the "grands" anywhere... and I doubt we've had them all in there at the same time more than half a dozen times.
"I've been feeling disconnected from or maybe disappointed by a lot of people for about 9 months now." Ditto.
Isn't it cool that Gretchen (of the West) can reach clear across country to give you a hug?!