Posted in Random Thoughts

I really am suffering through this time of year.  I can't stand it!  I am starting to feel desperate.  I might go tanning, just for some "sun."  And I don't go tanning.  But see, I am desperate.  First, I will try to remember to take my vitamin D; maybe that'll help.
So that being said, my whole life is sort of out of whack.  The house is a mess!  It's so unorganized and that makes me twitchy.  We have been having school, sort of, now and then.  Well, maybe 2 or 3 days/week, which is fine with me right now.  But everything else is falling apart.
I made a decision this weekend that I am not going to let this depression best me!  So I plotted out my week, and we'll see how it goes.  I managed to drag my sorry self into the gym yesterday, and again this morning.  I can't remember the last time I went two days in a row!  Going to the gym will definitely help me feel better.

Monday:
LR
clean playroom with kids
3 loads laundry  (one done already)
gym  (done)
prep dinner (we'll be out late for dance, so no time to cook when I get back, just reheat)
sort clothes  (done)
put kids' clothes away
school
kids' zones (they each have an area downstairs they have to clean (just the floors)

Tuesday:
3 loads laundry (yes, I am behind, and have to wash comforters too, thanks to my cats)
sort clothes from yesterday (into each kids' dishpan, to be put away)
tidy our room
put clothes away
gym
zones
boys' room
school
bath
sew AWANA patches

Wednesday:
3 loads laundry (yep, I have that much, esp. wash S's AWANA vest because it's so yucky--how does he do it?)
sort yesterday's clothes
kitchen
library field trip
K and V's room (very scary black hole in there)
zones
school
AWANA verses
AWANA
pack lunches for Thurs.

Thursday:
up to 3 loads laundry (whatever's left)
sort yesterday's clothes
DR (dining room)
work a little in basement
homeschool class at the library
school (at library with the other kids not in the class)
put clothes away
gym


Yes, it's a lot.  But not really.  Even the "big" projects, like cleaning the girls' room, won't take more than an hour.  Well, "work in basement" could take all day, but I know I don't have a lot of time and I at least want to take all the stuff I've piled up to get rid of out to the garbage for Friday.  It really does help me a lot to have goals to work toward.  I definitely get more done when it's all written down.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

Posted in Random Thoughts

Please explain the whole super-extravagant kids' birthday party to me.  Seriously.

I heard from a friend in one of the local school districts (not mine, but maybe true there also?) that if you invite one friend from the class you have to invite them all so as to not leave anyone feeling slighted.  Really.  Can you imagine?  You would even have to invite the mean kids, I guess.

So I suppose because of the sheer size of the party, because everyone does everything the government says about what is best for raising YOUR kids, they have to be something gigantic.  Heaven forbid that you don't one-up the other kids' moms.  You don't want your darling being the butt of jokes, I guess.  Like a cool party would stop that.

What happens if you don't invite all the kids in the class?  Will they arrest you?  Suspend your child?  It's preposterous.

My son, J, turned 7 today.  And his mother, *gasp*, is having his party at home.  There will be a cake, some soda (a big treat) and he invited 4 friends to come over and play Xbox with him.  Now, don't get me wrong, he definitely isn't complaining!  He will have a good time with his friends, I will chat with the parents, and fun will be had by all.

I suppose I am showing my age now:
When I was young...... my parents invited a couple neighborhood kids over for a pinata and musical chairs on the patio.  There was cake and ice cream and that's it.  No goody bags.  No hired entertainment.  And those are great memories!!!

I'm just complaining because as I was searching out a game to play within the theme for his party (another thing we never had as a kid, but important to my son, so whatever), I kept finding things on the Internet where people rented halls, and people dressed up to entertain the kids.  ARE YOU KIDDING?  My kids are just lucky they made it to their birthdays alive.

Posted in Random Thoughts

So here's something nice to share.
Yesterday, 5-year-old K invited Jesus into her heart.  I love little kids.  She started asking me all kinds of serious God questions in the car (of course!!!) last night.  For example, "how does Jesus live in your heart?  How does he get there?"  "How did God fit inside Mary's tummy?"  At any rate, this somehow led us to a discussion about how someone becomes Christian.  So my lovely little K prayed a prayer where she said she was sorry for the bad things she does, and that Jesus is invited to live in her heart, and that she wants to be like Him.
It's funny because I have been in a bit of a funk about the kids.  Are they progressing in school?  (well of course, I just like to freak myself out)  Am I doing a good job in spite of my failings?  (well of course, God sent them to me for a reason!)  And somehow, God has reassured me, and reminded me, that raising my children to walk with the Lord is the true purpose of what I do!  He always gives us what we need, just when we need it.  Amazing!

Posted in Random Thoughts

Things I have seen and heard today:

-- a Super Man without a head (does it make him Super Body?)

--a 2 year old with zipper indents in her face from falling asleep on her coat in the car

--a nutcracker stamp mysteriously appear on the front of my lesson plan binder

--a sad 5 year old who can't clean her room because she's "broken"

--a 6 year old throw an embarrassing (even for me) fit at CiCi's Pizza over not getting to go pretend to play video games because his mean parents won't give him any real money

--a 4 year old screaming at church while everyone stared.  Oh wait, that was my 4 year old, wasn't it?

--a husband who "has to work" making comments about every play during a football game

--about 30 overdue books accumulating fines on my library card.  Oops!

--a chintzy Advent calendar that if I had actually opened last year, I would've returned.  Too late now.  Looked nice in the picture.

--lots and lots and lots of laundry.  Really.  You could break a leg on my basement steps.

--a lovely mother who just has an overwhelming pile of things to do and so she does nothing....  It's just sad.  And now that I have it all out, I am off to do some housework.  Really.  I am.

Posted in Random Thoughts

I am trying to work out our schedule so I thought if I wrote it all down, it would help.  So here it is:

Monday

gym - a.m.
school
K's dance class
dinner to reheat after dance or crock pot
1 load laundry
clean LR

Tuesday

gym - a.m.
errands w/mom
1 load laundry
clean DR & bathroom

Wednesday

gym - a.m.
school
AWANA
1 load laundry
clean entry/porch/car
early dinner

Thursday

gym - a.m.
school
J's HS class @ library (2x month) or MOPS steering mtg (1x month)
1 load laundry
clean upstairs

Friday

MOPS (meeting or Bible study)
school or field trip
1 load laundry
clean K/bath

Saturday

gym - a.m. with Hub
school with Hub (thanks Hub!)
2 loads laundry
plan next week

Sunday

church
football and lounging
prepare for next week



Okay, so that's what looks good right now.  We'll see how it works out.  I know we are too busy.  I don't have any days where we stay home the whole day.  Which makes me feel horrible.  Hub and I talked about the time I spend at the gym but we decided that it just isn't something that is optional right now.  I guess we don't want the crazy me coming back!  At any rate, I am usually home by 10:30ish, so it isn't too bad.  We usually get a little school done before lunch (and a load of clothes, very important), have lunch, and then finish up when V goes to take her nap.  I usually get my housework done at the tail-end of her nap.  I know that I need to use my time better.  I keep saying it, but not doing it.  *sigh*

Posted in Random Thoughts

I write something called the "Coordinator's Corner" for our monthly MOPS newsletter.  I am feeling compelled to share it here:

“I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil."    Job 3:26

 

This is a crazy time of year!  School has started up again.  The holidays are quickly approaching.  It’s time to begin to prepare for winter (already!).  I don’t know about you, but I’m busy!

            In the midst of our busy-ness, it can be hard to stop and remember to breathe.  I know I don’t have time to relax!  I have to wash the clothes, make breakfast, go to the gym, shower (if I’m lucky), make lunch, do school, run errands, clean up a little, fight with a 2-year-old about using the potty, make dinner, do dishes, get the kids ready for bed, fold clothes (to leave in the basket, thank you very much), and show my loving husband some attention when he tells me about his day at work.  WHEW!  That is just one day!  Does this sound familiar to any of you?

            Why do we do this to ourselves?  Am I afraid to slow down?  Or worse yet, to stop?  Doesn’t God command us in Psalms to “be still and know that I am God”  (Ps 46:10)?  How on earth can I possibly hear God’s will for my life if I don’t ever stop to listen?

            Sometimes I think I must look like a chicken running around with its head cut off.  I had such a bad day last week that I finally cracked.  I was sitting in the car crying about all the “stuff” I had to do.  Who puts this pressure on me?  My family?  My friends?  No.  I do it to myself.  We do it to ourselves.

            I am here to tell you that it is okay to let the kids wear pajamas and stay in for a day.  It is okay to go to McDonalds for lunch and order pizza for dinner!  It is okay if you don’t get the mantle dusted, or the laundry put away, or the toilet scrubbed.  In the big picture, does it really matter?

            Now, I know some of you are saying, yes, it does matter to my sanity.  But God does not want you to be constantly busy.  I am serious.  It isn’t good for you anyway!  God calls you to spend time talking with him and reading his word.  This is the only way to hear what He wants from you.  I think a grand epiphany is probably pretty rare.  Don’t count on a burning bush.  All the answers to your life are in the Bible.  Only Jesus can help you through your days.  I think this is why I can be driven to the point of massive freak-out and break-down.  It always comes when I have been neglecting my spiritual life.  If you can’t make time for God, He will make it for you.

            I want to encourage all of you to take a little time to be still.  Fall is a wonderful time of year.  The leaves are gorgeous.  There are pumpkins to pick and apples to eat.  Maybe get up early and go outside for a walk in the chilly morning air.  Or go get a cup of coffee by yourself.  Go to a movie alone.  Nobody cares; nobody is judging you.  Take care of yourself by letting God take care of your spirit.

 
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17

Posted in Random Thoughts

If you haven't noticed (and you probably haven't) I have been going to the gym now for a little over a month.  I am losing weight very slowly (which is good).  But I have to say that I feel GREAT!  I have not had any symptoms of depression since I started exercising.  Now, I drag myself in there (almost) every day.  I do not want to do it.  But when I am done, I feel fabulous.  I have been much nicer to be around.  Ask anyone.

I am slowly tackling my to-do list.  SuperOrganized was kind enough to come over last week and help me rearrange all my shelves for the new school year.  We switched our living and dining rooms so all the books were then in the wrong place.  SuperOrganized helped me fix it.  Thank goodness!

Yesterday I tackled the basement and I nearly finished it.  I was interrupted by a welcome phone call from a friend.  So today I am going to finish that; it should take less than an hour.

As far as my back-to-school to-do list goes, that leaves the spare room.  This is where we store our clothes for the kids to grow into, Christmas gifts, etc.  It is the dumping ground.  I can't stand it.  I think it'll take about 2 days, really.  Considering the interruptions of children and all.

I hope to have all my projects done by next week so that I can spend it concentrating on the upcoming school year.  I am quite sure I have some last minute things to do...  Like order their math books.  We decided the keep K in Kinder this year instead of push her to 1st grade.  J will go ahead to 1st.  S will do preschool.  I am also going to get K the Singapore Math instead of MUS.  She can do MUS, but she did better with Singapore.  So at least for this year, that is what I'll do.  They have been asking everyday to do school.  I think I'll make a countdown or something.

If you've been wondering what I've been doing (and probably you haven't), there it is.

Posted in Random Thoughts

It's a constant struggle.  As much as I adore my mother, I admit that she did not instill any sort of cleaning knowledge in me.  I had to ask my grandma a few years ago what she used to mop her floors (soap and water).  I have had to ask SuperOrganized what she uses to clean her kitchen (soap and water).  Anyway, I was a spoiled brat as a child and never did anything unless company was coming.  Sound familiar to anyone out there?

It turns out this was a bad habit to learn, as I have figured out running a home with 4 kids 6 and under.  It is A LOT of work.  Throw MOPS and homeschooling on top of it, and it's just crazy.  I really want homemaking to be a big priority in my life.  It is always in the back of mind, mostly as, "I have so much work to get done."  Or "wow, is that a whole inch of dust on the mantle?"  If you look back to some old posts, you will learn that I have a cleaning schedule.  This really does work WHEN YOU FOLLOW IT.  I haven't followed it at all this summer.  Now I am paying the price.

I find that most of the problem is housekeeping vs. homemaking.  So, for example, the thoughts about how no one notices what I do, what's the difference it'll get messed up again, I am just a maid, etc. are the thoughts of a housekeeper.  Like I am the hired help.  The thoughts of a homemaker might include...well, I wanted to put an example, but I am hard-pressed.  I want to be a homemaker.  Can anyone help me with my attitude?

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After over a year of prayer and consideration, and a summer of "church shopping", we have finally found a new church.  Yeah!  I am just so thrilled to be done living in church limbo.  There are a number of reasons for leaving our current church, and it was a decision that we really agonized over.  It is amazing, because Hub and I both knew that after the visit to the new church that it was the one.  AND the sermon began with a story about why people choose churches...

I really have been feeling better lately than I have felt in a LONG time.  It is a combination of exercise and spiritual growth, I think.  I've been good about my QT lately, and my prayer life.  And the exercise just makes me happy!  Of course, I still have a loooooong list of things to do before school starts back up again.  I really need to make an actual list.  I think that will help me get through it.

I am reading a really good book, Loving Life as an At-Home Mom by Donna Otto.  She addresses one of my major hang-ups, which is the value the world places on moms vs. the value God places on moms.  It is easy for me, especially when I am feeling rather down, to get caught up in comparing myself to others and seeing all they have and (sometimes) wanting it.  Like a week's vacation in a hotel.  Or 8 hours to myself.  Whatever it is.  I admit I struggle with contentment.  Well, that is like telling God that He isn't good enough!  Ouch.  I suppose I have been dancing around that little tidbit for a while but I read it plainly in this book and it really struck me.  What a brat I have been.  Thank you God that you love me anyway!

Posted in Random Thoughts

I think it's at least 90 degrees in my house.  Isn't that great?  I am getting ready to take a quick shower to cool off and put on my jammies because they are my skimpiest piece of clothing (ok, 2 pieces).  I mean, that I can be seen in (wink, wink).

J and K have finished 1 week of swim lessons.  1 more to go.  Let's see....we also went to Raccoon Creek State Park to the beach.  That was nice, though my back crisped a bit.  A small price to pay.

Hub is working late tonight.  Oh, guess what?  I picked my first (of 5000?) yellow squash today.  And my first cherry bomb pepper.  How thrilling.  I just love growing things.  When we move (someday....) I really hope we have more space for a garden.  Right now I only have 5 squash plants, 3 spindly sad pepper plants, and 4 tomato plants.  Oh, and 3 (or 4, depending on if the weeds are winning today) cucumber plants.  I mean, there's just so much MORE I could've planted.  Alas, maybe next year.

Does anyone out there have a pop up trailer that sleeps at least 6 that they love and would recommend?  We are in the still-thinking-about-it stage, but we think we want to try to get one next year.  We are too old to sleep on the ground.

After all the vacation drama here this summer, we finally made a decision.  First we were going to Canaan Valley, WV.  Then we were going to Rehoboth (well, Dewey beach), DE.  Now, we are back to seeing the White House.  Our lovely friends have agreed to put us up (put up with us?) in Baltimore so we will visit the prez, then go to the aquarium in Baltimore the next day, then head home.  I think we might try to go to the Spy Museum.  Has anyone been there?  It looks so fun but I don't know if it's good for little kids or not.

I suppose that is all.  I am melting, so I am off to the shower.