Seeing your crazy, messy, healthy, slightly dirtier, beautiful life

As part of a series, I have asked other women in my life (close and far away) to join AuthenticallyAmy as a guest blogger on the topic #messyperfectlife. In each experience, there is a piece of both. The duality of those is what keeps us learning and growing. Sometimes messy is dominant and sometimes perfect is dominant, but it's always a blend.

Each guest blogger has tackled this topic in their own way--and that is perfect! They are discussing their life moments, glimpses of the successes and failures and more. It's a village, and there is so much power is sharing. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do.

Find the entire #messyperfectlife collection here.

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Having a teenage son keeps me on my toes.

Having a teenage son, a 6 year old, an 18 month old and being a teacher really keeps me on my toes.

It desensitizes me to certain things.

For instance the events that lead us to the pediatric wing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

When my son was 10 he had an eye condition that was never really explained. So when he came to me and said he couldn’t see, I naturally figured that was his teen side jumping the gun. He wanted contacts or some silly contraption that was way too expensive.

Like the arm sleeve he made his grandfather buy him. It doesn’t really serve a purpose. It just looks cool. I never factored in the previous eye episode to come back. I filed it under “Nope! Not dealing with that ever again.”

When he finally got my attention, we were in an eye exam room and they were telling me he was “legally blind”.

BOOM.

That’s messy and my suddenly messy perfect life became simple. Get him better and do it at whatever costs.

An Eye Opener

Tyus had to be taken to a specialist. So naturally we were sent to the best doctors in our area. We went to the University of Iowa’s Ophthalmology Clinic.

After many tests we were admitted and Tyus was placed on an IV steroid treatment. Five days in a hospital can quickly change the way you view your life. Spinal Taps, MRIs, Tests, Tests and more Tests can make you evaluate just how you are living.

My habits of needing a perfect looking house became less important.

How can I enjoy my life if I am constantly cleaning? Life is not perfect. Kids aren’t perfect and happy isn’t perfect. All of those things are messy!

We can See

The teenager is now seeing! His eyesight is near perfect with the help of glasses. He has to wear sports goggles to play baseball and I am making sure he takes his vitamins.

The condition, bi-lateral optic neuritis, could come back. It could be MS related. It could be anything. But, we don’t dwell on that.

From that experience, I have changed just a bit.

I don’t worry so much if his room isn’t clean or if baby Drew wipes her food all over her chair. If Marley doesn’t pick up her clothes or if the husband doesn’t keep the lawn perfect.

We will live. I can pick up later. Most likely, after the four of them are happily asleep. The dust, the laundry, the piles of “I will get to you later” are all signs that we are living.

Living a crazy, messy, healthy, slightly dirtier, beautiful life. A life worth seeing and being a part of for sure.

Shaya is the mom of three, a wife, friend and a teacher. She is one of those dedicated people that works to make the world a better place ...not accidentally but on purpose. She strives to give her family and her students the tools they need to make a difference in our world and their own #messyperfectlife.

#messyperfectlife