Let's be honest...

Do you ever feel bowled over with inspiration?  Ya know, to the point that you’re stuck with what to pursue and how, and when?  I giggle when I hear people ask “Are you bored being at home all day?”  Are you kidding me?  While it has its definite moments of loneliness and isolation, it’s ANYTHING but boring.  Sometimes, I feel like I’m running from one thing to the next just to get things done in a day.  Sometimes, I spend all day just changing diapers, wiping noses and being the tickle monster – and it just flies by!

So, lately I have been ADDICTED (admission is the first step) to Pinterest.  I get on there and get all excited about the many fun ideas I see, and then my bad habits set in.  I am a chronic perfectionist and a procrastinator (a terrible combo), which often leaves me all pumped up and motivated to the point that I become paralyzed with the thought of having so many ideas, and not knowing what to do first.  This resulting in my making a massive “to-do” list and upon finishing, (realizing, of course, that naptime is over) I’ve made yet ANOTHER list, and I’ve accomplished nothing…again.

So, a few weeks ago, I decided I’d had enough of myself, and I started planning things out. Taking a couple of hours to plan things out for myself has resulted in a much less overwhelmed, still inspired, reading to take on mommyhood/crafting/blogging/cleaning/ya, I could do that too…”me”. 

I have decided that I HAVE to get better about blogging.  When I wait too long, I feel all the pressure (self-inflicted) to update on all the latest, and I become overwhelmed, and another day passes, and I get more discouraged.  So, I am going to approach this differently.  Each week, I am going to set the timer for 20 minutes.  Whatever I can accomplish in twenty minutes will get posted.  At least that way I will blog once a week, and be able to stay up to date.

My problem is that while most people have one or two interests that they really focus on at once, I have a gazillion…yes, that’s right…a gazillion. This year I have really committed to finishing whatever I start.  So, I am trying to start new things slowly, working them into my routine. 

Here’s what I’ve got so far: (over the past couple of months)

A WEEKLY CLEANING SCHEDULE: This way I don’t feel like “the house is always a mess”.  I have a day for each of the main rooms.  That way, I can play with my kids even though I want to vacuum because I know I have already carved out time for it.  This may sound insane or really anal, but when you stay at home, your home is your life.  I just want to feel like I have mine under control.  I’m really not that dedicated to cleaning-but I want to model good habits for my family.  Plus, my hubby an I can enjoy time together when he’s home instead of worrying about the “chores”.

A CRAFTING/BLOGGING/REST time:

I have carved out little opportunities to work on “me” stuff, including resting and relaxing.  I am still figuring out how to work in daily devotionals each day.  Sometimes it’s through praying with my kids, or while running errands, or listening to worship music, or nursing my sweet Charlotte.

A WEEKLY MENU:

So many moms I know (including my mom) operate on a weekly dinner menu.  It really helps in resisting the urge to eat out, plus it saves us money and I feel like I’m providing nourishing meals for my family.  I LOVED when my mom cooked when I was growing up, and I can count on one hand the number of meals we would eat out in a year.  She made the BEST food, and I love that tradition of cooking with your kids.  There’s something so therapeutic about cooking and I can’t wait to grow as a cook, and eventually share that interest with my kids.  Nothing’s better than seeing the smile on Jon’s face when he comes home to a yummy home-cooked meal.  The best reward in the world!  He makes me feel like a professional chef when he comments of my cooking, it’s so affirming!  Plus, Ellie has taking a recent interest in “m’kin dinur” with mommy.  I give her a spoon and a mushroom to “dice” next to me while I’m prepping, and she LOVES it!  Such precious moments with my little one!

TMOMS:

I just joined the mom’s group at Trinity Church, and I am so excited to be a part!  I have always wanted to join and am so grateful to have the chance this “semester”.  Every two weeks, we get together and pray, and eat, and fellowship and I am so blessed to have a “mommy outing” while Ellie enjoys her playgroup.  I am confident this time will nourish both Ellie and I, and will leave us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 

Now that I have these basic schedules in place, I feel I am much more confident in knowing that “there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven” –Ecclesiastes 3:1.  It really gives me peace knowing that I am doing my best to make time for my God, myself, and my family…in that order too!  I know that I am useless as a mommy without getting filled up by my Heavenly Father each day.