88 Comments

• Comment by christy — August 11, 2009 @ 2:42 pm

  These are great pics! Keeping it real. Love the diaster pics.

• Comment by gertrude — August 11, 2009 @ 2:45 pm

  Thank you so much… your picture was just what I needed! It has been one of those "two steps backwards" days at my house also… and now I feel so much better about it.

• Comment by candace — August 11, 2009 @ 2:49 pm

  oh my goodness – i remember those days. my children are now 15 and 13.

• Comment by chelle — August 11, 2009 @ 2:57 pm

  Been there done that, crazy but doing it again with my grandgirls. Maybe since I didn't die the first time I will live through it again. What's up with 3 yr olds wanting to tear up paper. My house as little specks of white stuff everywhere and no it's not snowing in Alabama today.

• Comment by Jessica Ranjbari — August 11, 2009 @ 2:57 pm

  that's how I feel…I can't keep up with everything! I clean one mess and turn around and there's always another one.

• Comment by Joel and Lee-Anne — August 11, 2009 @ 3:08 pm

  I so needed this laugh!!! Dealing with mono and pneumonia (I have both)…my poor children. Too bad yo don't live closer, Naomi could join you with her (many) poopie diapers and Nate would love to play dress up (you know, spider man, firefighter)…..Much love

• Comment by Anonymous — August 11, 2009 @ 3:11 pm

  Honnnnnneeeeee! With a two year old and a five year old, I can relate! God bless you….
  Ashley in Tennessee

• Comment by Surrounded By Boys — August 11, 2009 @ 3:19 pm

  How is it your kitchen STILL looks good, even with all that chaos???

• Comment by Anonymous — August 11, 2009 @ 3:19 pm

  love that you can take a step back, let the kiddos be kiddos, and enjoy their world

• Comment by Amy — August 11, 2009 @ 3:25 pm

  So nice to see that my house isn't the only one that's a disaster most days. And I only have 1 kid (and 1 on the way)! I LOVE your posts on sewing and cooking and photography how-to's, but it's always nice to see the "everyday" as well. Enjoy those adorable children!

• Comment by Tammy of Yarborough House — August 11, 2009 @ 3:30 pm

  Ahh thank you for showing me that I am not the only one who somehow has lost control of my ship.
  There are days I just want to scream or cry but usually end up sitting down and laughing – probably a bit too much like the Joker laughs but it is laughter all the same
  Love your blog..keep it going.

  tammy

• Comment by Jenna — August 11, 2009 @ 3:32 pm

  Oh, girl…. I'm feeling your pain!
  But it's worth it all, isn't it?

• Comment by Rebecca — August 11, 2009 @ 3:43 pm

  Thank you. I needed that verse today as I am contemplating selling my one year old to the gypsies.

• Comment by Melissa Stover — August 11, 2009 @ 3:43 pm

  i'm in the trenches with you.

• Comment by Amber — August 11, 2009 @ 3:59 pm

  I love it Darby! You make me feel better about my house being a disaster and me feeling overwhelmed! Love your blog

• Comment by Hillary @ The Other Mama — August 11, 2009 @ 4:04 pm

  hilarious and so true.
  Were those hot dogs???

• Comment by Becky — August 11, 2009 @ 4:13 pm

  and we thank you for that. cause i should totally show yall my kitchen counters. i've been painting and am waaaayy too lazy to take things out to the garage when not in direct use…like the afore mentioned paint! did nagrom start school yet?

• Comment by Courtney — August 11, 2009 @ 4:30 pm

  Thank you so much for sharing that. You have know idea how much I needed to see that.

• Comment by WhitneyG — August 11, 2009 @ 4:33 pm

  Darby,

  Those pictures are awesome, and so funny! I'm glad to see that your house is not always spotless! What a great verse too!

• Comment by MyLittleHappyPlace — August 11, 2009 @ 4:34 pm

  OMGoodness – I am SO cracking up right now…sorry it at your expense!

• Comment by Carly Winborne — August 11, 2009 @ 4:35 pm

  boy, did i need this verse today. perfect timing.

• Comment by kandace — August 11, 2009 @ 4:47 pm

  OOOh.. My.. too funny!
  So, this is why my sister keeps telling me I have no idea what life's like with kids.
  I've got to send her this – she'll understand.
  Love the photo's – so great.

• Comment by Beth — August 11, 2009 @ 4:52 pm

  AMEN!!!!!!!!! This is totally and completely the way I feel 7 days a week! Thanks so much for the encouragement! It's so nice to know I'm NOT the ONLY one!!!!!

• Comment by Yevette — August 11, 2009 @ 4:53 pm

  I hadn't had my "Fly Through My Window" fix yet and I'm so glad I did! This is what I needed-laughter and a good encouragement for being a mom.

• Comment by Ashley — August 11, 2009 @ 4:56 pm

  Hilarious. I laughed out loud. I mean, that mess?! What in the world were you doing Your kids will remember all these fun things you have done for them and with them. That's the best part of motherhood…investing in their little lives and loving on them! Keep the posts coming!

• Comment by Michele — August 11, 2009 @ 4:58 pm

  AWESOME! That's what I call being transparent How about a weekly installment of normalcy? You could call it a 'shout-out' to all the mommies :0
  Thanks for keeping it real!

• Comment by KayleneLanae — August 11, 2009 @ 5:22 pm

  I love the honesty of this entry

  even with all the mess and craziness, I am still jealous.

• Comment by The Wood Family — August 11, 2009 @ 5:23 pm

  My kids are 5&1/2, 3&1/2, and 2. I have days like this often. Sometimes it feels like more than I can handle; like I don't even know where to begin, which mess to start with.

  You are right, the joy of the Lord IS our strength. I also try to remember that they will be grown and out of the house before I know it. Then I will be sad!

• Comment by Brittny — August 11, 2009 @ 5:43 pm

  thank you for showing that! it's awesome and hilarious at the same time! my back patio looks like that, but with trucks, dirt and flowers everywhere. thankfully it was the smallest pot and i ave a much bigger one of the same kind somewhere else.

• Comment by Melissa — August 11, 2009 @ 6:16 pm

  Thanks for sharing these! I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one whose house gets a little upside down sometimes! Well, truthfully, a lot of the time…

• Comment by Sarah @ Fiddledeedee — August 11, 2009 @ 6:17 pm

  Ahh, this makes me feel better Great post, I loved it!

• Comment by annek — August 11, 2009 @ 6:22 pm

  I think it was in Mary Poppins…when she "would make a swoop" around the room to clean up….that what I used to tell myself at night…. I was making a swoop.

• Comment by Amy — August 11, 2009 @ 6:32 pm

  I love reading your blog, I think this is my first time posting!

  Those shots are perfect and just what I needed today.

• Comment by Dianne — August 11, 2009 @ 6:37 pm

  Have you warned Erika? LOL
  I loved it!!! Enjoy those kiddos mess and all.

• Comment by The Wilsons — August 11, 2009 @ 6:42 pm

  LOVE IT!~ so true:-)

• Comment by Julia — August 11, 2009 @ 6:53 pm

  did she eat the dogs after she wore them as earrings?

• Comment by alyssa — August 11, 2009 @ 7:07 pm

  Were you in my house this morning, b/c it sure looks an awful lot like my kitchen!
  On a side note, and perhaps this should have been a question for the photography post, but anyways…how do you get your pictures on your blog to be so big? Just wondering, b/c I love the size of your pics, just don't know how to do it myself. Thanks so much!

• Comment by J — August 11, 2009 @ 7:16 pm

  i. am. so. there.

• Comment by Ashleigh — August 11, 2009 @ 7:20 pm

  So encouraging to know that I am not alone in this journey to selflessness! For some crazy reason after 2, I thought I had "arrived" and was totally selfless (or pretty close). However, with the addition of #3, I quickly came to the realization that there are parts of me that I have yet to give up.

• Comment by Cara — August 11, 2009 @ 7:33 pm

  In the midst of potty training here, and it's going less than spectacular. Thanks for the honest and thoughtful reminder — I needed it!

• Comment by Jamie — August 11, 2009 @ 7:39 pm

  Oh, thank you! I thought I was the only one. Sometimes I really feel like I am, it's great to see that it's pretty normal and a compliment that someone like you has similar days.

  Hang in there!

• Comment by Susan — August 11, 2009 @ 7:40 pm

  I can't wait until we reach the phase where they don't have to make messes to be entertained . . . or is that even a phase we will one day reach? I sure hope so!

• Comment by Cstargel — August 11, 2009 @ 7:44 pm

  I just love you and your blog….glad to know we are in the same boat!

• Comment by Kat — August 11, 2009 @ 7:57 pm

  These are so hilarious! How do you put the text on the pictures? Too cute.

• Comment by Lisa — August 11, 2009 @ 8:06 pm

  Do you have any idea how wonderful it was to see these pictures?
  Thank you for your sweet transparency.

• Comment by Mandy — August 11, 2009 @ 8:21 pm

  Ha…mine looks like that very often and I only have two! Precious kiddos! Mandy

• Comment by Sharlotte — August 11, 2009 @ 8:45 pm

  I LOVE your photos…so crisp and clear. I also love your blog!

  I know being a young mother gets very tiring… believe me, I know exactly how you feel. My two beautiful boys have now grown into handsome and wonderful men.

  Everyone is right, it really does go by too fast…before you know it, your children are grown and making their own way in the world.

  So, enjoy them! Play, cook, eat, tear paper, change diapers…it's all worth it!

• Comment by viky — August 11, 2009 @ 11:17 pm

  Hihihi sorry for laugh but so nice to see that my house isn't the only one that's a disaster most days, my 2 boy let toys all around and some time you have to jump for pass, my sewing room is a camp of battle not happy they go in dining room…and now out in the garden….but at the enad of the time they are kids and need to play….we are moms and need to have a bunch of patience!!!
  Have and happy day
  Laura from Italy

• Comment by Liz — August 12, 2009 @ 12:57 am

  Thank goodness it's not just me who has this!And I only have 1!Made me take a breath and realise I'm not alone!Kiddos are so cute..even though I haven't slept in 3 1/2 years

• Comment by Courtney — August 12, 2009 @ 2:07 am

  That top photo is absolutely priceless!!! And I love the disaster shots, complete with costumes. Hilarious Darby. xx

• Comment by Shireen — August 12, 2009 @ 5:05 am

  Great post…I love how you've shared Scripture in REAL life!

  Amen, sister!

  (and what a mess!

• Comment by Brandy — August 12, 2009 @ 5:22 am

  this is great!

• Comment by Kellie — August 12, 2009 @ 5:24 am

  my.life.every.day – just amazed that you have time to blog about it!

• Comment by Jenn — August 12, 2009 @ 5:24 am

  Love your blog…I have been reading for a while now! Quick question…how do you get your photos so big on your blog? Thanks so much!

• Comment by aedozier — August 12, 2009 @ 5:45 am

  Thanks for the reminder to die daily! I forget that…a lot! Sometimes I just have to forget the mess and just enjoy my girl. The mess will always be there, they won't always be this age!!!

• Comment by Kristen — August 12, 2009 @ 6:37 am

  I love your candidness! Those pics are so funny! Thank you for sharing!!!

• Comment by The Tale of Two Sisters — August 12, 2009 @ 6:48 am

  What a blessing to see this AM!! I so needed the reminder of "dying to self". Also made me evaluate if I've been a Mary or a Martha lately. Thank you.

  I've finally joined the blog world, so I won't just be a stalker anymore Thanks for your email response…your new friend from Southern Illinois!

• Comment by Ariel — August 12, 2009 @ 7:01 am

  Thank you..it's a great comfort to know that we aren't the only ones keeping up with the kids.

• Comment by stewart and james — August 12, 2009 @ 7:13 am

  love it!
  kristen

• Comment by Rachel — August 12, 2009 @ 8:15 am

  this. is. hilarious. and. i. love. it. Thank you for keeping it honest – I appreciate that about you!

• Comment by paige — August 12, 2009 @ 8:17 am

  i'm cracking up
  i just posted yesterday about my intimidation of the blogland. so many times i feel a little in over my head compared to so many talented obviously very gifted women. you amaze me.
  i'm so glad to see a cutipie post like this…i love that you keep it real, even if your "real" is much cuter & well dressed than my "real"
  xo

• Comment by No.35style — August 12, 2009 @ 9:18 am

  love this! and so glad i get to finally become a mommy in February!!

• Comment by Victoria — August 12, 2009 @ 9:58 am

  LOL I can soooo relate! Love the pictures.

• Comment by Becky Brodbeck — August 12, 2009 @ 11:24 am

  "Some days dying is easier than others" very well said!!! today I have prayed Lord please help me have patience with my toddler several times,I am feeling a little stretched and I only have one. May the Lord continue to give you grace as you parent those babies:) Love ya!

• Comment by The Howe Family — August 12, 2009 @ 12:20 pm

  Thanks for the encouragement!
  Love that verse – need that verse!

• Comment by erika — August 12, 2009 @ 12:36 pm

  hey, if it makes you feel any better… my office looks like that and there aren't any kids in here. luckily no one has pooped in their pants!

• Comment by the dowiaks — August 12, 2009 @ 12:41 pm

  oh my can i relate! do you go crazy when your house likes that b/c i do! thanks for being real. thanks for the scripture. and, thanks for reminding me that as a mother i have to die to myself. i needed that today.

• Comment by Jesse — August 12, 2009 @ 1:27 pm

  Girl can I so relate!

• Comment by Mommy Harris — August 12, 2009 @ 1:46 pm

  Oh LOVE it girl! Keep it real keep it real! That mess has been in my house many a time. Right now there are chip crumbs beside my bed I'm ashamed to say have been there since my toddler dumped them there on s-u-n-d-a-y!

• Comment by warriormom — August 12, 2009 @ 2:27 pm

  Great verse and adorable post!! I'll have to share this with my baby who's having her first in two months!!

• Comment by Ashley Eiler — August 12, 2009 @ 4:06 pm

  that post got a really loud audible laugh…thanks!! much needed today as i weed through the hours that i call my life!!

• Comment by Lana Mitzel — August 12, 2009 @ 6:03 pm

  That first pic is THEE CUTEST photo I have EVER seen. Love it!

• Comment by melissa richie — August 12, 2009 @ 6:37 pm

  amen.

  thanks for sharing!

• Comment by pylant clan — August 12, 2009 @ 7:24 pm

  Wow, were you in my kitchen tonight…..except the poop wasn't in the diaper, instead on the floor…but don't worry she covered it up with a cup from a previous tea party..then baby sister picked it up. I wouldn't trade being a stay at home mom for anything. Love your blog.

• Comment by Lindsey — August 12, 2009 @ 9:39 pm

  Are you sure you didn't take this pic in my kitchen ? Had this pulled up and Av saw and was so excited to see pics of all the kids, but wanted to see one of you too. We were outside recently and she identified a skink and let me know that Mr. Justin likes skinks. Miss you and the fam

• Comment by Britt — August 13, 2009 @ 6:42 am

  This is hilarious. But probably only because I'm not a mother yet, so I haven't experienced the chaos firsthand. I remember my mom walking around the house singing "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength…." Now I understand why!

• Comment by Dana — August 13, 2009 @ 8:16 am

  I so feel your pain….some days I want to crawl back into bed and let them have the house!

• Comment by Bill, Misty, Will, and Laura Ann — August 13, 2009 @ 8:42 am

  Thanks for the scripture!!!

• Comment by Anonymous — August 13, 2009 @ 9:52 am

  wow…i have been reading your blog for a little while now…but with 3 boys around the same age as your precious one's I can't comment very often BUT today this post was so me…Thank you for keeping it so real…many of us are in the same shoes!!!

  God Bless…Carmela

• Comment by The Ridge Family — August 13, 2009 @ 12:32 pm

  Thanks for making my house feel normal… I am constanting cleaning up messes and never can seem to get ahead. I have a 3 yr old girl and a 9 month old boy… so the messes have only just begun for my baby boy. I really enjoy reading your blog (this is the first time I've left a comment). I quote that scripture often.

• Comment by Anonymous — August 13, 2009 @ 12:33 pm

  Love the pictures! I have a 4 and 2year old so I totally understand! The question I would like to know is, was it harder going from 1 to 2or 2 to 3? I love reading your blog! Keep up the good work!!
  Kelly

• Comment by Teresa — August 13, 2009 @ 2:07 pm

  Came across from Layla's blog. Love this. Wow, I have 2 boys and I know the feeling. My kitchen seems to look like yours all the time anymore.

• Comment by Tiffany — August 13, 2009 @ 2:13 pm

  Looks familiar!

• Comment by Aura — August 13, 2009 @ 5:38 pm

  I just found your blog and I love all of your beautiful pictures. I am a huge picture lover, and recently gave up trying to be interesting and just started posting more of them.

• Comment by Cora — August 13, 2009 @ 5:59 pm

  Love this…so cute with the truthful humor!

• Comment by Beck — August 14, 2009 @ 9:26 pm

  Oh Girl. Favorite.Post.Ever.

• Comment by Christie — August 17, 2009 @ 8:03 am

  I totally feel your pain…and joy! Three kids can be so frustrating at times with all of their messes and fits, but they are so worth it!

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