You're not a Texan if you don't rodeo.....

so we, as Texas residents for our whole lives, felt it was time to take the girls and us. We haven't been EVER since we've known each other, which is so funny because it's such a BIG DEAL to many around here. So basically we were overdue for some pig racin', mutton bustin', fried food kinda fun. 

We were pumped up for a good time, particularly after an especially trying week. We packed all the things, we got dressed in all the cowgirl cuteness, and we set off EARLY to get a good jump start. Now when I say early, I mean like we left our house at 7:45, which is a feat around these here parts. Everyone was excited, happy faces and happy attitudes.

I would love to say it was a picture perfect day full of education, fun and treats...but that just wasn't our reality. There were meltdowns, hunger strikes, outbursts, and tears. There were moments that I was embarrassed, that I felt like crying myself, when I really and truly just didn't know what to do anymore. I was totally out of control. 

Here's a snapshot that seems calm enough, but in actuality this was right in the throws. Emilia could NOT be satiated with any type of food or water, Madeline was on a total stimulus overload and therefore was restricted back to the stroller for awhile, much to her dismay.

It was a tough day. It didn't go perfectly. I came away tired, thinking, "What WAS I even thinking?". 

But then, as I was looking through the photos to choose which ones to add, I noticed something......

Memories were made this day. Things were experienced for the first time. There WERE lots of smiles, and there WAS lots of fun too. Lessons were learned. Family was valued. Love was shared. 

In this season of life, I want things to be picture perfect. I want to create these pinterest-worthy memories for my kids and for myself. But that's just not real life. Real life is messy, complicated and often leaves us tired, overwhelmed and feeling downright crazy. BUT, it's in all this hard stuff that the real memories are made, where the magic happens....even if the magic only lasts for a couple of minutes. That's what we will remember in five years, not the argument or meltdown.

So though this wasn't a "perfect day", I want to remember the fun we had and celebrate that we SURVIVED the rodeo experience with our babies. Even if we finished feeling like this.....

...poor thing could barely keep her eyes open.