Gretchen from That Mama Gretchen: A Real Housewife

Today I have the lovely Gretchen who blogs over at THAT MAMA GRETCHEN

She is ready to get real with y'all. After reading here, go check out her blog...she is one amazing lady!

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Hi! My name is Gretchen and I blog over at That Mama Gretchen. I was so excited when Savannah asked me to participate in The Real Housewives Project! I hope you get a kick out of my real life moment at home - yoga pants with no plans of yoga, un-stylish top bun, a sick child glued to my hip, and a sink full of too many dishes :)

Since becoming a stay-at-home mama last September I have struggled with perfection. I had Pinterest ideals of a lovely home, 3 course meals, hip mama/baby outfits, and of course, the perfect blog that attracted hundreds of followers. Instead, I've yet to find a real sync in my new life and with a second baby on the way, I'm hesitant to believe I'll ever find my groove!

But, I promise I'm trying - striving for a realistic plan, not perfection. This last weekend I got super organized ... I made a simple meal plan, wrote out a realistic to-do list, and prayed I would have the strength, determination, patience, and every other good virtue to have a successful week. Then my sweet girl came down with a fever and cold :( She tossed and turned all night and our day has morphed into a snuggle movie day.

As we cuddle, I'm reminded of my true calling as a mama. It's not about folded laundry or a picture perfect family - it's about growing love, and then teaching my children how to give that love to others. It is my prayer that we can all let go of perfection and embrace these words from Ruth Hulburt Hamilton ...

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,

For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.

I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

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Ok - Savannah again - I LOVE the poem that Gretchen added to the end. It is one of my favorites of all time and I hope one day to remember it when I am a mom!!

Thank you so much Gretchen, such a great "real" post!