Truth for the Trenches

Do you find yourself wanting a treat at the end of the day? Like payment for a job well done?! Worked out...check. Made grocery list...check. Made three different breakfasts all to order...check. Kept kids alive...check. Got 3 kids down for rest time...check. Folded and put away 5 baskets of laundry...check. Brushed kids teeth...check. Taught 2-year-old to count...check. At the end of our days we are exhausted. Physically from being up for long hours on our feet, emotionally from teaching little ones how to experience their emotions and communicate well, spiritually from being lonely or having little time to ourself. Often this exhaustion can lead us to a place of defeat. We see all the unaccomplished tasks, we see the times we lost our patience or chose to look at our phones instead of a face...we finish the day seeing our failures. We sink into the couch in an last ditch effort for me time and pour a glass of wine or scoop a bowl of ice cream as if to reward oursel...

I am writing today on Scary Mommy; a great blog that unites women in motherhood as we navigate this crazy, awesome, complicated land of motherhood. Join us and read along, here !!!

I didn’t give birth to three kids who look alike. They aren’t all the spitting image of my husband or myself and they don’t look like each other. They are as different in eye color, skin color and hair as they are in personality. I like that they look different, I like that they are different. It reminds me daily that we were not created the same. That we all reflect the image of God in various ways and what a beautiful picture we all make together. There are similarities in us as a family, there are traits and emotions that run through us all and we have to learn and fight them together! But the differences are so interesting to me. They remind me we are not all created the same, that God loves me as an individual, that He forgives all my sins of yelling at my kids, being selfish with my time, and giving my husband the silent treatment. He died for each individual sin and each unique person. My children’s hair reflects their opposite personalities. A boy with red, wavy hair; ...

We all have lots to accomplish in a day, people needing us, projects we want to create, time we need to spend on too many things. This week has been so good for me to explore what I spend my time on and how that affects me and my family. There are lots of times we have to multitask. There are parts of life that are routine and habit. Those habits we tend to tune out and do in our sleep. A new challenge arises when we are doing things out of our routine. So, be confidant in   multitasking when it is routine. When you are unloading the dishwasher, cooking dinner and playing with the dog at the same time. When you are folding laundry and playing charades with your kids (oh, just me?). We all handle things differently and can take on more or less than others and that is the beauty of being created as an individual. If you are creating new habits that need attention and focus here are some of my mom survival skills Survival Tips 11. H av e your kids pick a puzzle, boo...

A Necessity Most of the questions and comments I have read are not about multitasking being a thief but how to live well when it is a necessity. Please, do not misunderstand that I never multitask or that I think it can be done rarely. But I do think there the standard is frenetic.  Two summers ago, the idea of getting out of bed and taking care of three kids made me anxious. I felt paralyzed to do it well and cook dinner, clean the house and play with them. My husband offered me a beautiful gift. He said, "your job today is to keep them alive". Everything else can slide. This was a season (perhaps a long one) but I feel more able these days to keep them alive while doing additional tasks. However, I think it is important in multitasking to have in mind what the priorities are.  My three year old is potty training and I am homeschool a four and six year old. It is a battle of wills, I spend most of the "school time" teaching them how we behave and not...

I recently posted an article,  "Multitasking is not for Mothers" . I am still thinking so much about this idea of multitasking that I am posting a series on it this week... I would love for you to join the conversation on my  Facebook  page or comment below! ********************************************************************************* Multitasking: a thief For me it has started in very simple silly ways. Perhaps, sneaky ways that I didn’t see clearly until months had gone by. I send my kids upstairs to get ready for bed and I grab my phone so I can check my email while walking up 16 steps. Seems innocent but because I was doing that I ignored the kid sliding back down the stairs and the bathroom sink water that was left on all for 16 steps of “me-time”. I created problems by not being present. I ask my kids to get their coats on so we can leave the house and I decide to spend three extra minutes cleaning up their school books so they aren’t left on...