Our Perfectly Imperfect Life
When I was growing up, I had grand plans about my future. I dreamed of becoming the perfect mother, the perfect wife, the perfect businesswoman, the perfect everything. I planned out my life meticulously and believed my hard work and determination would help me create a picture-perfect life. Flash forward to today, and I am anything BUT perfect. I'm currently sitting on my sofa in pajamas, eating cold oatmeal, and trying to finish work while preventing my six-month-old daughter from eating a package of diaper wipes and licking our hardwood floors. I still haven't reached my pre-pregnancy weight (or even approached it), and my unread email count is reaching the five-digit mark. If I would've sent a snapshot of this moment to my 18-year-old self, I probably would've sobbed with disappointment. But guess what? In this moment, I feel like my life is perfect.
I've spent the past few years redefining my definition of perfection. I'm embracing life's messy moments and trying my best to stay present in the moment and truly appreciate every moment of this crazy life we live. Today's culture puts so much pressure on creating picture-perfect moments, but the truth is those aren't the moments you remember in the end. My most cherished childhood memories don't contain extravagant vacations, fancy clothes, award-winning parenting, or TV-worthy homes. They're small moments filled with life. I miss eating ice cream before bed with my mom. I miss peeling oranges with my grandad and listening to my maternal grandmother's contagious laughter. I miss having movie marathons with my brother and going to the hardware store with my dad. I'm sure these moments didn't seem extraordinary to my family at the time, but in hindsight, those small moments of joy seem perfect to me.
With my little one by my side, I'm making an even bigger effort to stay in the here and now. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home with my little girl, but it can still be tough to juggle taking care of Summer with my full-time workload and household responsibilities. Right now, I'm fitting in work whenever I can - early mornings, nap times, after bedtime- and giving myself a little bit of grace on the state of our home. While I'd love to have a neat and tidy home every day, I'd rather sneak in an extra hour or two of playtime and snuggles than have a perfectly organized pantry. My main priorities at the moment are creating memories with my little girl and establishing healthy routines for our family.
So many of my fondest childhood memories are simple moments like washing my hands with Ivory soap at my grandparents' house. My grandmother still uses Ivory, and I will always associate the classic Ivory scent with her warm hugs. When someone you love uses a product for over 30 years, you know it must be good. We've been using Ivory products in our home, and I still think of my grandmother every time I use the classic bar soap.
The Ivory Original 3-bar has a new look, but it's the same 99.44 percent pure soap that's been around for 138 years. It's free of dyes and heavy perfumes, and it has the same gentle formula my family has trusted for generations. I can't wait for the day when Summer recognizes the Ivory scent on her great grandmother!
I am also head over heels for their new body washes! The new Ivory Free & Gentle Body Wash with Pear & Sandalwood contains the #1 Dermatologist-Recommended moisturizing ingredient and is free of dyes and parabens. My husband and I have both been experiencing extra-dry and sensitive skin this winter, and this gentle formula leaves our skin lightly moisturized without any irritation. We both love the soft scent of pear and sandalwood, so it is definitely a gender-neutral product in my opinion.
The Ivory Original Body Wash is equally fabulous. It features a new gentle formula and is free of dyes and heavy perfumes. Both of these body washes are used daily in our household, and I can't foresee a time when we won't have Ivory products in every bathroom of our home. It's funny to think that my daughter might come to associate the Ivory scent with our home just like I associate it with my grandparents' home. It seems like only yesterday I was washing my hands with my grandmother, and now I'm building new family memories with my own daughter!
Our life may be a little messy and unorganized, but I'd have to say it's pretty close to perfect at the moment. We have a roof over our heads, food on the table, the most wonderful little girl, and endless family moments filled with laughter and smiles. This year, I'm embracing our perfectly imperfect moments together, and I encourage you to try it out for yourself. Simple everyday moments are the perfect opportunity to create lifelong memories for your family!
