In a Perfect World…

In a perfect world, little boys would eat breakfast at the table without spilling milk and cereal all over the floor while watching reruns of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Team Umizoomi…

In a perfect world, I’d cook at least two square meals a day for my family-Breakfast (the most important meal) and Dinner (a nice, quiet dinner at the table every night to unwind after a long day)…

In a perfect world, the bed would be made every morning after promptly rising at 6:00 am (to cook that big breakfast) and the laundry would be washed, dried and put away at the end of every day…

In a perfect world, I’d get around to putting the sheets back on the bed the day that I washed them, instead of leaving them piled in a chair in the corner because I’m too tired to fool with them…

In a perfect world, little boys wouldn’t jump on the beds. They’d sit quietly and behave like good children do…

In a perfect world, my photos would be impeccable with the very first snap. No editing needed, no blurry movement, no grain or fuzziness. Just perfectly captured images of perfectly perfect people…

In a perfect world, I’d weigh only 125 pounds (solid muscle and not an ounce of fat anywhere, of course), without ever having to take a step on the treadmill or lift a weight. No Jillian Michael’s DVD’s to torture me and no calorie counting to monitor my food intake…

In a perfect world, I’d work only 9 :00-5:00 every day and sleep eight solid hours a night. Uninterrupted…

But we don’t live in a perfect world…

Life is messy. Full of spills and drips and crumbs.

Cereal and PopTarts seem to suffice the barrel of energy that is my three year old on most days; and some days Frozen Pizza and Hamburger Helper are all that I can muster for dinner.

Laundry doesn’t get folded (at least not in this house) except once a week…twice if you’re lucky. Most days, I don’t get out of the bed until someone (“someone” being my son) makes me because I’ve been up at all hours working. And sheets? Who needs sheets? The bed sleeps just fine without them.

I work late. I work long. I work hard. I sleep little. I drink too much coffee. And Dr. Pepper. I eat too many cupcakes and walnut brownies. My son jumps on the bed and I don’t try to stop him. Because it keeps him entertained. And he loves it. What’s he really hurting?

Photos are fuzzy because they are full of life and activity…sentiments and snapshots of a child who loves the life that he lives. They have grain because they are rich and lively. And they scream, “This life is worth it!”

And at the end of the day, the crumbs and the messes…

the fuzziness and the unmade bed…

the piled up laundry and boxed dinner…

are all worth it.

Because my life isn’t perfect.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you haven’t already be sure to head over and link up to this weeks 52 Faces Challenge! You can start anytime! The Cuptakes iPhone/iPod Case Giveaway ends on Monday, so get your entries in!