The saying, "Winners never Quit, Quitters never Win," isn't entirely true.  I am a quitter and I am winning by making this decision.

Many of you are familiar w/ my daily struggle to make my household run.  Here is what I posted recently on MOMYS:

I've always been rather dissatisfied w/ how I run my household and after baby #4, that dissatisfaction turned into something resembling fear--a motivating fear--a fear that came as I realized that the way I did things when I only had 3 was not going to work anymore.

However, by the time #5 was on the way, I still hadn't figured out a game plan. So, this is where I am...

*Want to make an earnest effort to take time for the Lord every day--preferably in the morning b/c I feel like this would really start my day right.

*Want to be more available for my husband (which will depend on how I do w/ the next one...)

*Want to have a nice solid routine in place by the time baby comes (early July). Want this to include housecleaning, school, family time, etc. The house is really in sad condition right now b/c I have not been capable of really cleaning and decluttering (probably the bigger issue at this point). I want to get the house in order and then work from there w/ a routine.

*Want to set aside time for the children where I am more hands-on w/ them--I feel for far too long I have been guilty of just "parenting" and not "mothering".

*Want to be more disciplined in general--say "no" more often, stay away from "time wasters", get back to regularly exercising, etc.

I don't think I have bitten off more than I can chew; although, many of these things have been issues for a majority of the 10 yrs I have been married. I also know that I cannot make someone else's routine and life my own (thanks Bibs for that reminder!)

So, I guess what I am looking for is support--has anyone been where I am and managed to do these things?

I would also love to hear some ideas on how/where to start. It is somewhat like walking into a room that is wall-to-wall clutter and being overwhelmed by which box to sift through first.

God just wasn't letting me alone on this one.  Everything I read and heard and every conversation I seemed to have led back to the idea of streamlining, getting my ducks in a row, "quitting" some things, and re-focusing and re-prioritizing.

The first item that was eating at me was the cloth diapering business a friend and I started nearly a year ago.  Initially, it was a fun little hobby, a way to supplement the income.  But I found that I was spending time and money I didn't have.  I was selling one diaper, only to buy fabric of equal value (if not more).  I knew things were not right, but pride kept me from backing out.  Finally, this autumn I talked to my friend about scaling down.  She agreed, but I never felt a real peace about it.  I would cringe every time I walked by my pile of fabric and unfinished projects. 

This past weekend it was clear what needed to be done.  I needed to QUIT. 

The post on MOMYS was the beginning of my time of re-prioritizing and re-grouping.  Seeing it on paper (or screen, rather) forced me to be serious about my efforts.  After much prayer, I called my friend and laid it on the line.  I think initially she was a little shocked, but by the 2nd conversation, she agreed wholeheartedly. 

Call it the "Season of Life" I am in right now, but I know that for me the business venture had spiraled out of control.  It was taking away precious time and resources.  It was okay when I was sewing for my family and for gifts and even when I was sewing a little here and there for profit.  But, I became obsessed w/ buying fabric and notions and experimenting with this pattern and that pattern, all the while selling very little in comparison.  It was one thing that was holding me back from reaching the goals I had posted.

So, there you have it.  I am a QUITTER and PROUD of it!