The First and A Question

When I began this blog one year ago on Christmas day, I had no idea where it would take me.  It honestly began as this emotion inside me, watching my children on Christmas, cuddling with Matt on the couch, and laughing with my parents and brother.  My feelings just seemed to spill out onto keys, and Perfectly Imperfect was born.

I began the blog more to share my experiences as a mother, but quickly I began writing to and for women...and you creative men out there.  It just happened.  Before I knew what was unfolding, I was even painting and selling furniture, doing small design consultations, and really writing.  

Sharing the last year of my life with you has been unbelievable, and I am truly humbled at what God has done through it.  The chance to meet and get to know all of you has been an incredible blessing and I thank you for encouraging comments and emails.  I only hope the blog and I can be a blessing to you as well.  Read to the bottom to see what small gift I'm giving you this year.

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So here I am.  Sitting in my pj's on the couch after the longest Christmas day I can remember.  Up to my eyeballs in crumpled wrapping paper, dirty dishes, and new toys for the kids.  Candy is strewn on the floor, my coffee table is shoved against the TV, and there is literally not an uncluttered surface in our living area.  It's terrible.  It's wonderful.  It's what I call life...

Here's the thing: I love to read.  I love to journal.  Beginning a blog seemed to be a natural task to undertake.  And it was.  I love writing my other blog....you know, the one for family and friends to see what we're up to and all the fun snapshots of us doing the fun activities.  And while those moments ARE fun, they are typically insane.  What you don't see when my little guy is eating cake batter is the tantrum he throws right after due to a sudden shock of sugar to his system.  You don't see my baby girl spit up all over me as I'm walking out the door after snapping that precious picture of her.

So, this blog is for that life.  The other part of life that needs recording....the "after Christmas" life.  Now, don't get me wrong. I'm pretty ambitious, love to overdo, love the "Christmas" part of life, but I'm more than "Christmas mommy." I'm more than cooking, cleaning, taking pictures of the kids.  I'm crazy about my husband, love my free time (after the kids are in bed), have countless hopes and dreams, love my God and am trying to find that balance of serving Him and others and going about this life He purposed me for....

Truthfully, I commend the women who write about all the wonderful parts of their lives.  There are a few who inspire me beyond belief.  I by no means want this blog to be a sounding board for negativity.  I've been purposed for a high calling...raising up my family....but, here's the thing; that's not always pretty.  Or always easy.  I want to be inspired, and I want to be challenged to be better.  But you know what?  I mostly want to look around and know that there's someone out there, doing what I'm doing....and that they're still figuring it all out, too. 

Will this blog be inspiring?  I sure hope so.  Will it be honest?  Definitely.  But mostly, it will be me, it will be real....perfectly imperfect.

If you're out there, let me know.

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In thankfulness of the last year, I wanted to re-post the very first post I wrote.  And as my very small gift to you, because of the blessing you've been to me, I'd like to ask you a question.  It may seem strange, but I just feel like I'm pulled to ask.

What could I pray about for you?

It could be small, or big, light or heavy.  Just anything that I could pray over this holiday for you.  I'm serious...I know not everyone who reads the blog even every day knows if I would really do that.  But nothing would make me happier than to receive 1,000 prayer requests from you guys.  

I have just seen a lot of tragedy this Christmas, this year, and again, it constantly reminds me we are all dealing with something.  Big or small, we're dealing with it.  And sometimes it just helps knowing that someone out there is thinking of you, of being there.  

I'll ask you to pray that I am constantly open to growing as a woman, wife, and mother.  To be more long-suffering with my children and to teach them to be so as well.  To be slower to frustration, to love people first and ask questions later, to look around with fresh eyes.

So, let me do this thing for you if you want....just leave me a comment on this post or feel free to email me at 

shaunna@harristire.com

Hope you guys are having some cuddly, Christmasy moments today!!

:-)