My Ordinary Life: Bec of Marvel of an Ordinary Life

I’m Bec, the author behind Marvel of an Ordinary Life. I’m a mom of two toddlers living in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and our wacky pup named Barkley. I blog here and connect with other moms on my Instagram page.

What is an ordinary moment in your life that you never take for granted?

My kids are young right now, 1 and nearly 3, and they love each other so hard but they also really adore fighting. It makes my day when we’re driving in the car and they just start giggling together. At what, I’ll never know. They both have great senses of humor, and can make each other laugh harder than anyone else.

Also, my son calls roosters cockadoos right now and I hope he never stops.

What is the kindest thing that someone has done for you?

I took my kids to my niece’s dance recital for one of my first solo outings after my daughter was born. I was supposed to have help getting on the shuttle bus there, but wires got crossed with my parents who were in town. I found myself alone and overwhelmed in the parking lot. I needed to get my oldest into his nicer outfit and my newborn in the carrier. And then it started pouring down rain. That’s when the shuttle volunteer walked over with a huge umbrella and kept my kids dry while I got them out of the car and to the pickup point. All the while, she told me about how she also had older kids who were really close in age and she remembered how hard it was when they were little. It was exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. When I arrived at the arts center, a volunteer was there waiting with a dry shirt for me because she had radioed ahead. It still makes me quite emotional, really, just thinking about the amount of kindness this stranger showed me during a very vulnerable time.

What is the best part of the stage of life that you’re in?

Oh gosh. My son is really coming into his own right now. He loves “reading” us books by telling us what’s happening in the pictures and it makes me feel so proud. My daughter started walking about 6 weeks ago and it’s been amazing watching her just sprint everywhere. I could see her working so hard and the step-by-step process of learning to walk was even more exciting to see the second time around. It’s inspirational, really, to see the determination and hard work that they put in to reach these milestones.

I’m also in the slow slide to 40, and I have to say that I’m actually really excited about it. I feel like I’m learning so much about myself and what I want from life. I am thankful to grow older.

The hardest?

I think it’s partly not getting enough rest. Sometimes of my children’s doing and sometimes mine of staying up too late, probably watching The Great British Bakeoff or Mindy Project (again).

And then also just trying to be patient. Toddlers are no joke. They have so many big feelings.

What is the best thing under $100 that you’ve purchased that has made a positive impact on your life?

I’ve been stealing the travel coffee mug I bought for my husband. When I saw that they were on sale at the store, I went ahead and bought my own. But in a different color so that my husband won’t steal mine. Marriage, right? It’s the perfect size mug. I can put a cup of hot coffee in there or ice some down and take it with me. It’s also dishwasher safe, which is nice because most coffee mugs are hand wash only and I try to put everything into the dishwasher that I possibly can. I’ve found that I can make a really good cup of coffee at home and I almost always prefer it to something that I can get out.

Who is a woman that you admire and why?

My Aunt Nina is really just the best. She loves nothing more than to help others in our family. She would do anything for anyone. But make no mistake: she’s not a doormat. I love how when you go to her home, it’s your home.

What is a small thing that you could do today to improve your life?

I really need to just put on my darn shoes and go for a walk. It’s really that simple. I can always tell the difference in my mood when I get some fresh air and exercise.

What is something that you can’t shut up about?

I just really can’t overstate the importance of good mom friends. I am so fortunate to have a really good group of people in my life, both locally and friends from earlier stages in my life who happened to become moms. One of my college best friends gave me some really helpful potty training tips today. My local mom friends have rallied for me so hard in so many ways since I met them at an online Zoom parenting class in 2020.

I think that meeting friends as an adult can be kind of hard, but everyone wants to meet a good MILF (mom I’d like to friend). Make some small talk at the playground. Introduce yourself. Ask for a phone number. It really just takes like 30 seconds of bravery to make a friend if there’s a connection there.