Ridiculous Behavior Confession #2: Laundry Nonsense

This is an empty laundry basket. I’ve heard rumors they exist, but I’ve never seen one.

After a longer than expected delay, I’m finally posting confession #2 in my Ridiculous Behavior series.

Although there is good reason for confession #2 to be about ‘Setting Unreasonable Expectations’ (as is evident by the length of time between confession #1 and confession #2), I’m going to go ahead and discuss the much easier-to-admit-to issue of excessive inefficiency as it relates to the laundry.

Get Up Earlier, Get More Done

I have so much in my life and really feel truly blessed, but lately I feel like it’s not enough. That window of time for myself and time for things I love keeps getting smaller and smaller. The other day when I looked in the mirror I saw a mom who was exhausted and run down. I nee a highlight, I had new wrinkles around my eyes, and my smiled just wasn’t as bright. I have fallen back into the rut of putting myself last again and losing sight of my passions. I know parenting is about putting all these littles first and I am happy to do that everyday. I want to do that. But, I also don’t want to compromise myself by not having time for the things I love.

God must have heard my frustrations and has opened some doors for me I didn’t even realize where there to be opened.

Ridiculous Behavior Confession #1: The Mommy Lunch

Confessions are good for us, for our souls, and in some cases, perhaps, for our waistlines.

In my next couple posts, I’m owning up to a few of the more ridiculous things I do around the house, like pretending I only eat salads for lunch and the fact I put a legitimate effort into balancing five loads of laundry in a pile on top of the dryer instead of just folding the clothes and putting them away.

Total nonsense, right? For some reason, though, I’ve yet to muster the interest or impulse control to change. I hope these little confessions will make a few us feel better about our quirks and begin to lay the ground work somewhere in my brain for change.

Super Mom? Super Insane Mom Maybe….

I took my kids out to lunch today. Without my husband as back up support. Four kids six and under, close to nap time, straight from preschool to lunch. I was temporarily insane. I just couldn’t stand the thought of one more meal to make and clean up after. I just needed a break.   When I walked in I got the look; the look I get very time I go somewhere by myself with all of them. The look that says “Wow, that’s a lot of kids. How does this woman take them all anywhere?” And I ways think, “Watch this, I’m up to the challenge.” I’ve got entertainment in the diaper bag (books, etch a sketch, crayons), I’ve enough  pacifiers that if we drop a few I don’t have to crawl around on the floor looking for them, extra wipes, bibs, extra clothes, sippy cups filled with any kid drink you can think of, snacks while we wait for our food; I can do this!

About 3 minutes into it I realize I’ve completely over my head.

The Liebster Award

Carrie & I are happy to accept a nomination for the Liebster Award from Jane Fritz over at http://robbyrobinsjourney.wordpress.com/ . This award is for new(ish) blogs and is meant to acknowledge and encourage bloggers to keep at it. We found varying criteria for what actually qualified as ‘new(ish)’ (many say less than 200 followers, some said many more) so we opted to use our best judgement to recognize blogs we enjoy that are relatively new and/or growing.

Receiving this nomination from Jane is an honor. Her blog is intelligent and inspirational. Her passion and experience are evident in every post. I encourage you to stop over and see for yourself.

Jane was one of the first commenters on our blog and she’s remained a source of encouragement since. Thank you, Jane!

Changing My Perspective

I started an online bible study this week. Joining a bible study has been on my heart for a while now and finding the extra time just seemed impossible. God provided, as he always does, and brought me to an online study Unglued.  The book is by Lysa Terkeurst and the study is through Proverbs 31 ministries. We are on day three today and oh have I been challenged. I tend to take on too much, get stressed, and then take it out on others. I know this about myself, but it has really been brought to my attention this week.

You’re Okay

These are two of the most important words I say to my kids and I say them a lot.

When they’re hesitant about a new situation, nervous about an event or competition, when their feelings are hurt, when they’re scraped up from a fall, or convinced there’s something scary in their room at night, those two little words always turn up and give an immense amount of comfort to all of us.

I don’t want their lives overly dominated by the rush of nerves and anxiety that accompanies the start of so many things.

I don’t want them to stop short of whatever it is they’ve set out to do and miss out on something great/new/worthwhile.

I don’t want to feed into irrational fears because there are things in life to be scared of, but, if they can at all help it, rain storms, the dark, and jumping into a swimming pool shouldn’t be among them. At least not for very long in their lives.

Starting new things can be overwhelming. Joining in is usually intimidating. With very little encouragement, a worrisome thought can take root and grow to unreasonable and overwhelming proportions. Then, all of the sudden, the whole activity or idea or plan seems like it’s going to be just a little too hard or scary, and it passes by, lost.

I want my kids to learn and trust their instincts, but an important part of this is helping them sort through what’s a real concern and what’s really not that big of deal.