Moms spend a lot of time comparing themselves with each other. We want to know the secret to how some moms seem to "do it ALL" while others struggle to "just do IT."

Don't be fooled, Mommying is hard work. And there is nothing worse than trying your hardest to be somebody that you're not created to be.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I found out quickly that I am not the most organized, stay-on-top-of-it-all type of mom. And that's okay. My personality leans heavily towards being Type B. I am pretty easy-going by nature and don't tend to get stressed out very easily. 

But you know what I discovered? The one area where I do tend to get stressed, is finding the balance between being a creative person and a mom. If I don't have an outlet to create, I feel suffocated. But finding an outlet to create and also managing to take care of two small children at home can be humorous at times. And as I began thinking about some of the hilarious situations I find myself in, I thought maybe some of you creative moms out there could relate. So here goes...

10 Signs You May Be a Creative Mom

1. You are known to lock yourself in a bathroom or closet to get some alone time to 'create.' 

2. You struggle with letting your children watch too much TV, unless it means you get time alone to create something.

3. Your children are never bored. You have mastered the art of improvisation and can make fun out of everything. 

4. Speaking of making everything fun, you sing the "clean up" song when it's time to pick up mess around the house. More for your entertainment than theirs. 

5. The idea of homeschooling sounds exciting, but the discipline needed to implement it sounds stressful. 

6. You know the trick to getting crayons, markers and paint off the walls, tables and floors - magic erasers.   

7. You spend more time on Pinterest than you would ever want to admit publicly. And your photo gallery is full of screenshots of "crafts" and "recipes" that you never pinned. 

8. Finding time to shower is a real struggle. And when leaving the house the debate is always, "be on time" or "shower?" 

9. Your husband never knows which wife he'll come home to. One day you're Martha Stewart, with the house cleaned and dinner on the table. And the next day (and most days, if you're like me) you are still in your pajamas and definitely ordering pizza. 

10. Ultimately, you realize you'll never create anything as beautiful, unique and special as your children. 

"Those were the best days." She said with a smile, as she watched me push my 15 month old daughter around in a shopping cart at Old Navy. She was a beautiful elderly lady, that couldn't have been much younger than 80. Hannah kindly responded to her sweet voice and smile by reaching up to her with open arms and a toothy grin (I promise that girl has a sense for people - she knows the kind hearts).

I wanted to stay and talk. Find out how many children, grandchildren and maybe even great-grandchildren that she had. But I was too busy frantically searching for my 2 year old who was running around the store. So I told her in my most polite, don't-want-to-be-rude-but-really-gotta-run voice, "to have fun shopping!" She gave me a knowing smile as I pushed my cart away. And as I thought about it, what I really wanted to ask that sweet lady - was what made her believe these days, these long, busy, dirty toddler days, "were the best?" 

Because, let's be honest, these days I get tired. I get cranky. I look in the mirror and feel like I've aged five years in just the last two. If we're judging things on how often I shower and actually get dressed, mop my floors and leave dishes in the sink - these are definitely not my best days. 

But I have a feeling that's not what the sweet old (navy) lady was remembering when she looked down at my precious daughter.  

I have a feeling she was remembering her own daughter's first words. Seeing her walk for the first time. Or reach up and say, "mama." She was remembering those moments when her baby cried and only needed her. Only wanted her. 

There will be days, pretty soon actually, when I won't be changing diapers anymore. But that doesn't mean there won't be other dirty things I'll have to deal with. Like insecurities and self-esteem and teaching my children to have a Christian-worldview in a world that needs Christ so desperately.

Yes, there are challenging days ahead. 

God knew I needed a simple reminder to enjoy these moments while they are still young. While they still, not only need me but, want me. 

I believe this was also a reminder that I need those relationships with wiser, older woman who have been in my shoes and have walked where I've walked. While the worlds we live in may look differently, every baby is born the same - naked and needy. And there is wisdom in looking back that I may not see right now. 

So while the days may seem longer and I may in fact appear more tired than usual - it's because they are and I am. But I have a strong feeling that when I look back on the days I had a one and two year old running around the house, beating on toy drums and crunching Cheerios between their tiny toes, I'll remember those wise words and agree, "Those were the best days."  

I hear it often. "Ya know, we just never fight," they say in passing while talking about their spouse. I gulp. Swallowing the guilt I feel inside for not being able to say the same.  

How do they do it?  I have asked myself more times than I want to admit. The fears and doubts that come with the reality that, while no marriage is perfect, some have figured out how to have an argument-free marriage is almost too much. 

But perhaps the definition of an "argument" or "fight" looks different for everyone. If we are talking knock-down, drag-out, throwing-punches fighting- then, praise Jesus, we never fight either! But if we are talking about discussions that turn to disagreements that turn LOUD. Then, guilty as charged.  

Maybe it's the fact that both my husband (Josh) and I are very passionate people. When we get on a topic that means a lot to us, tensions rise and we can get carried away. And especially when we get real and open up about things that we are struggling with - you can bet there is going to be some fighting going on! We fight because we are seeking truth. We fight because we are tired of failing. We fight because we hate sin. And by the end, we are usually better because of it. We know how to pray for each other and we know how to truly fulfill the role of helpmate in our spouse's life. 

We also fight because we don't agree on everything. We agree on roughly 97.7% of things, but definitely not everything. For example - Josh doesn't like Shepherd's Pie and it just happens to be one of my all-time favorite meals. Of course I didn't know this until after I had slaved away making it during our first year of marriage, while also working and going to school full-time. It may have been one of our first fights ever. Just saying. 

It's normal to disagree, because no two people are alike. If you claim to never disagree with your spouse, then I guess you are the exception to basically every genetic testing that exists. Or you just have no opinion. On anything. Ever. 

I have to believe that couples who claim to never argue with their spouse are just not easily offended. A trait that I am praying and asking God to bless me with. They must be the type that doesn't even realize they are in an argument... when they are in an argument. It's incredible for me to think about, really - as I live on almost the exact opposite corner of the continent. Talk loud and I'm already crying. 

But the reason I am addressing this issue (and simultaneously admitting to not having a perfect marriage) is because with Valentine's Day and all the "public romance" approaching - sometimes this is the time of the year when our marriages are vulnerable. When we compare. When we feel discouraged. And we will hear and read things from others that will tear us up inside. "We never argue," has been mine. 

But please remember that your marriage is sacred. It is one of a kind. It may have it's flaws - but you have entered into a holy covenant with God when you married your spouse. His goal is that you will do more for the Kingdom together, than apart. 

Josh and I may not be able to stand and claim that we never fight - but we do claim that, by God's grace, we are better together. And that is something worth fighting for.