Disclaimer: Most of my close friends have at LEAST four children, so I feel sort of silly writing all of this, but God bless'em--they've assured me that they remember times like this too, when they had only toddlers at home. :)
When I was pregnant with Lorelei and people would see me with Gillian (who turned 2 the day after Lorelei was born), some would say, "Wow! You sure are going to have your hands full!" I would sort of just shrug it off and think, "It's not that big a'deal. Whatev."
Fast forward a year and a half.
They were right.
You would not believe how many days go by where I have no idea where the time went but I also have no idea what I've accomplished. The answer is nothing. Nothing gets accomplished.
Well, that's not entirely true. My girls are getting fed, going potty (yay! still excited about that.), learning how to ride a bike (!), getting naps, having books read to them, getting fed some more, naps, eating, going potty, eating again, naps. You get the picture.
Who knew that would all take so. much. time? Who knew I wouldn't have time for much else? Some of you might be thinking, "Well, you should just sit down and plan and organize your time." Yeah, sure, I'll do that when I have extra time. ;)
I feel like I'm just flying by the seat of my pants here. I really don't like feeling this way. I don't like feeling like I have to constantly REACT instead of being PROACTIVE. It's driving me crazy! I don't have a plan! I'm not organized! And there's no end in sight! GACK!
It's times like these when I need to take a(nother) step back be thankful and realize that the "little" and "insignificant" things I am doing (taking care of my family) are important. And really, at the end of the day, they're the only "things" (Read: people) that really matter.
I heard this song on my iPod on the way to the grocery store today and it was a great reminder. Once again, my feelings are better expressed through a song. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (and do). (sorry about the random family pics--it was the only way I could get you to hear the song. :)
Sacred by Caedmon's Call
This house is a good mess
It's the proof of life
No way would I trade jobs
But it don't pay overtime
I'll get to the laundry
I don't know when
I'm saying a prayer tonight
'Cause tomorrow it starts again
Could it be that everything is sacred?
And all this time
Everything I've dreamed of
Has been right before my eyes
The children are sleeping
But they're running through my mind
The sun makes them happy
And the music makes them unwind
My cup runneth over
I worry about the stain
Teach me to run to You
Like they run to me for every little thing
'Cause everything is sacred
And all this time
Everything I've dreamed of
Has been right before my eyes
When I forget to drink from You
I can feel the banks harden
Lord, make me like a stream
To feed the garden
Wake up, little sleeper
The Lord God Almighty
Made your Mama keeper
So rise and shine
Rise and shine
Rise and shine 'cause
Everything is sacred
And all this time
Everything I've dreamed of
Has been right before my eyes
When people would see me with my 5 children (2yrs or less apart) they used to say to me, "Enjoy this time because it will be gone before you know it." I'd think, "Ya when?"
Of course now that my children are all young adults I see that they were right.
But that didn't help me in the moment. There were many more days when I felt like I didn't accomplish anything (visually evident anyway) than when I actually was or "felt" productive.
What I now see is how important it was for me to make time for me. I didn't have family support but I could've found someone from church I trusted just for a couple of hours to help me. I didn't ask because I thought they have their own hands full. I should have let them decide that.
I know it was a long time ago for me & it is easier said than done, but I think if I had known then that doing that would help me be a better mother, I would have considered it more diligently (because of course it its easier to do something for my child's best interest than for my own).
Prayer is always free and available 24 hrs everyday! http://theunexpectedlife2010.blogspot.com/2010/05/eatwhen-pray-where-and-love-how.html
When people would see me with my 5 children (2yrs or less apart) they used to say to me, "Enjoy this time because it will be gone before you know it." I'd think, "Ya when?"
ReplyDeleteOf course now that my children are all young adults I see that they were right.
But that didn't help me in the moment.
There were many more days when I felt like I didn't accomplish anything (visually evident anyway) than when I actually was or "felt" productive.
What I now see is how important it was for me to make time for me. I didn't have family support but I could've found someone from church I trusted just for a couple of hours to help me.
I didn't ask because I thought they have their own hands full. I should have let them decide that.
I know it was a long time ago for me & it is easier said than done, but I think if I had known then that doing that would help me be a better mother, I would have considered it more diligently (because of course it its easier to do something for my child's best interest than for my own).
Prayer is always free and available 24 hrs everyday!
http://theunexpectedlife2010.blogspot.com/2010/05/eatwhen-pray-where-and-love-how.html
Good luck and keep the eternal perspective!
What an encouraging song! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE YOU!!! (((HUGS)))