I knew when we started this crazy thing, it would be a winding road of ups and downs, both literally and metaphorically. Hubby and I semi-joked to everyone that this was “probably the best and worst decision we have ever made.” Those words could not have proven more true.
There have been definite ups. If you follow my Instagram feed, you have seen some of the wonderful things that have come our way. We have been to national parks and many museums. We have sat by lakes and in the desert. All this in less than three months.
We look happy and we are in those moments. As is always the case, the pictures don’t show everything. Here’s a little of what those pictures do not show.
Instagram Pictures Don’t Lie
But They Don’t Always Show the Whole Truth
The pictures don’t show me frantically “sh”-ing my children and throwing every threat I know their way because it’s “quiet hours” in the park and they are still jumping from one bunk to another. LITERALLY. The kids can be heard plotting against us, usually led by Little Diva. “Let’s stay up all night!” To which , Sonny-Bunny responds, “sleep is for the weak.” I guess that’s why I am so strong.
The pictures don’t show how quickly 320 sq. feet can go from perfection to hoarder-ville. And what cabinets look like when I need to pull my house trailer out in 30 minutes and I was too tired to put everything away in their proper Tetris position the night before. For years, my husband and I fought the stuff it in drawers vs. organize battle. Stuffing, and therefore Mr. Hero, is winning more often than not.
The pictures don’t show how much I freak out about finances. We are living on retirement and constantly face some paperwork snafu or another that asks us to go without money for a month or two. Sure, it gets caught up but that doesn’t help a lot in the moment. It doesn’t show my face when I realize that the truck is only get 10.8 miles per gallon when I planned for 13 mph. (When you drive hundreds of miles every few days, that difference adds up.) Or when I realize how much groceries cost at little town stores (I mean, seriously!)
Mostly, the pictures don’t show how many tears have been shed in so many places. We did this for a reason. It is easy to think this was a lark. And there are lark-like moments. But a lot led up to this. There are the days forever missed with Daddy — deployments, night shifts, time stolen by PTSD. There is the loss of love for school and learning. There is our feeling that we were losing our kids to a world of entitlement and keeping up with Kardashians and Pewdy-Pie. We can’t go back in time and “fix” anything. But last night, as I held Sonny-Bunny while we both cried, I said “we can make things right going forward”.
So, as you look through my Instagram feed and think, “wow, they’re having the time of their lives”, you will know the truth. Yes, we are. We are having the time of our lives and all that entails. We are having the best and worst time of our lives, all in one.
What a lovely post! Pictures do say 1000 words don’t they?
Thanks. I share so many smiling pics that I felt I should share a little of the other side.
Traci
So true! Pictures don’t tell the whole story-for sure.
It is so easy to look at IG and FB and think everything is hunky-dory. When I started this blog, I committed to sharing the rough patches, too and today was one of those days.
Traci
Glad you did. It’s refreshing to read the REAL stuff, too!
Thanks! I really appreciate the support!
Traci
This is so cool! I would love to do this. I can not wait to hear about more of your adventures. How awesome. I love that you said instagram does not hide anything. You will be making so many memories, even when times get rough they still will trump the not-so-good times. Have fun
Thanks so much! I know at the end of this journey, we will be a stronger family but some days it is really hard.
Traci
Amen girl! I just wrote a post about this too!
Yay! I will have to check it out. I think it is important for us to share the hard days as well as the good ones!
Traci
Found you on Blog It Forward, and love how this post is so real. Sometimes blogging is too pretty and the real people are hidden. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for coming over and I so appreciate your words. Some days it is are to show the other side but I think it is an important part of building a true community in blogging.
Traci
Yes!!! I totally agree with you! Instagram only shows what YOU want the world to see. Not the other side!
I enjoy sharing our fun times but I don’t want SM to become a kind of lie about our lives. Thanks for coming by!
Traci
What a great concept this is! How courageous you guys are for taking a chance at a different kind of lifestyle. I can bet whether or not the pictures show all of the ups and downs there are more ups then downs and even the downs are worth it.
Thanks! It was a tough decision in some ways but I am glad that we did it. And yes, there are definitely more ups then downs!
Traci
OMG I love this post. Pictures totally show the whole truth at all, especially in the blogging world. Thank you for sharing this!!
Thank you so much. I was a little scared sharing but I think it’s the way I grow.
So appreciate the visit.
Traci
Your honesty and authenticity are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing your real story, the world needs that.
Thank you! I want to be authentic here so your words mean so much to me.
Traci
With social media it can be really easy to show the “good” parts of our lives and paint this picture. It’s great that you are being real and sharing how it really happens, behind the scenes!
Thanks! It was a little scary but I so appreciate the support I have received.
Traci
I love how you say that the photos don’t lie, but they don’t always show the whole truth – that’s such a great way to put it! Thanks for keeping it real and sharing what the photos aren’t showing!
Thank you! Sharing our story is really important to me and I can’t do it honestly without showing this side, too.
Traci
Pictures are worth a thousand words, but can hide a thousand things too! I love how honest you are in this post!
Thank you! All the support has meant a lot to me.
Traci
This is so refreshing
It’s easy to compare our lives to peoples social media highlight reels and get carried away so THANK YOU for your honesty!
I’m sure its crazy and chaotic now, but just think of the memories and stories you’ll have for later!
Thanks! That means so much to me. And yes, when it;s all said and done, we will have a lifetime of precious memories.
Traci
Thank you for sharing this. I think we need more of this kind of reality so people don’t get so caught up in comparison online.
Thanks! I like sharing my happy moments but I think it’s important to be balanced.
Traci
Oh goodness!! Small town stores are the WORST! (what comment plugin is this?!)