My daily struggles

Hello friends that read my blog. I know there aren't many of you out there, and that's ok. This is mostly just me sharing my daily struggles... My time to let you peep into our lives and no holding back...

As a wife, mother of 2, homemaker, and 1 day a week (usually) speech-language pathologist, I feel rather short on time.

I have so many "wants" during my day.

Typical daily "wants":

1. Wake afreshed, showered, dressed, and ready to start my day! Time with the Lord to renew my mind so I can be the best wife and mother only through the Spirit leading me.

Reality: waking to sounds of my children and throwing on some random outfit I can piece together in 2 seconds. And, looking like a hot mess usually.

2. Easy peasy mealtime:

Reality: Well, with Fulton, I really don't worry (for now) He will eat whatever is in reach.

Ridge (typically still a good eater) will find any way not to feed himself. Yes, he's 3. He fed himself better at 18 months old. And, he is so so so slow. Why are we reversing?

Is this even real??

3. Plan multiple educational activities, structured physical activity, bible story time during the day (and not just before bedtime)

Reality: playing with whatever toys are lying around, nothing very structured while I'm washing clothes, cleaning kitchen, etc. I'm still acting like I'm in survival mode and Fulton is 1. Ouch. I said it.

Super mom and teacher

4. Exercise, yes, that unfamiliar word of something I used to do before children.

Reality: Chasing after children does require work inside and outside, but, again, nothing is structured in this area AT ALL. And, I'm not much of a morning person before 7. If it's before 7, it's still considered the middle of the night to me. So, how do you stay at homies do it? Where does it fit in? And, early morning is not an acceptable answer. Do I need to get over that?!?! I NEED my sleep.

5. Me time

Time with myself,  a book, my bible study, my laptop, shopping, girl time.

Time to refresh myself.

6. Alan time

Not just an hour or two before we pass out on the couch because we are both exhausted. Quality time together as husband/wife, motivating each other and praying for each other. Daily.

7. Cleaning house/creating a safe haven for my family.

I'm a little OCD when it comes to a few things around the house. But, for the most part, I'm trying to catch up on laundry when I have time, cleaning kitchen when I have time, cleaning bathrooms when I have time, you get the picture.

Am I the only one who feels these expectations and by the end of the day you feel like the day was wasted again and you've failed at your job???

I need to remind myself that this list is quite a list. But, with time management and daily strength from You, it is possible.

 

Lord, help me be intentional. Help me use my time wisely. Help me focus my desires and wants to only things of you! Help me to be SELFLESS in my desires. Help me be a picture of Christ to my children. Help me disciple my children thoughout the day in many teachable moments. Help me realize my beauty is in YOU and not of this world. Help me respect and love my husband through you. Help me take care of my body. Help me maintain my frustration during mealtimes so we can enjoy family mealtimE. Help me manage my time wisely so I'm the best wife and mother for my children.

Lord, I cannot do this alone. I need you. Everyday. Every moment of the day. Please keep my expectations realistic. Lead me and guide me daily Lord. I can't do this alone like I've been trying.

Help me remember my purpose during this season of my life. Lord, use me to teach my children daily the sweet Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are all we need.
Help me fight these daily struggles and lean on You.
Lord, thank you for the sweet cross, your death, burial, and resurrection!
Let us live to glority YOU!

*For all of you supermoms who have it together or who are also struggling with these same struggles, please leave comments of ideas, thoughts, suggestions!



7 years of marital bliss and 2 perfect offspring...

Yes, Alan and I know everything about marriage and everyday is perfect in our little home!

We never have disagreements, our home always looks spectacular, and our children are sugar and spice and everything nice! No discipline problems. In fact, I've heard of children that talk back to their parents and throw fits and demand things and yell no. I just cannot imagine. Ours always use their perfect little manners. Even Fulton, who can't even talk yet says yes ma'am and no ma'am.Nothing short of amazing parenting. Perfect children, I know.

The dishwasher is always empty and/or loaded with dirty dishes ready to wash.The shower is gleaming from top to bottom and there is no sign of soap scum or weird pink slimy stuff growing in the corners. There are no rings in my toilets. The bathtub is free of rings from dirty little boys/dads. The laundry room is always in pristine condition. The baskets are empty and put away. People leave clothes in the dryer? How terrible! There are no dust bunnies hiding in the corners of my room to be swiffered up. And, the kitchen sink looks like it stepped out of a page from Southern Living!  Fulton's diaper pail is always empty and his room smells like fresh roses and not poopy diapers fermenting in the corner. The lawn is always perfectly mowed and edged and free of weeds. Oh, and yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are always ready on time and presented as if we were living in food network land.
After 7 years of marriage, we have it all together and our life is perfect. Actually, when you come to our house, there is a glow that can only be described as perfect harmony.
In fact, yes, we should lead seminars and write books so we can share our secrets!

UMMMM, QUITE THE CONTRARY.

Yesterday, Monday July 9th, 2012 was our 7th wedding anniversary.
We celebrated as only parents of 2 small children know how. We stayed at home and took care of 2 feverish boys coughing all night long and took turns throughout the night waking up with Ridge and his ear infection cries.  Happy Anniversary honey! So romantic.

7 years ago if you would've asked me what life would've looked like, I'm not sure if I would've told you this was exactly how we would've spent our anniversary. It's the first time we weren't able to celebrate on the actual date.

But, as I think about our situation, I can't wish for life any differently.

I'm thankful and so humbled to have a sweet loving husband who adores his wife and works so hard to provide for his family. I'm thankful for the man of God he is and his surrender to the Lord early in his life. I'm thankful for two healthy boys that can walk, talk (or working on it) and can perform appropriate functions for their age.

Why me? Lord, why do I deserve this? I don't. I don't deserve anything the Lord has given us. But, I'm humbled by his grace. Oh, his sweet sweet grace.

Lord, use our family to glorify you.

Ephesians 5: 22-27, 33
"Wives, submit to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing., that she might be holy and without blemish... Let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

Wives, submit to your husband and respect him.
Husbands, love your wife just as Christ loves us.

Something so simple, but yet so hard... if we try on our own.
We can only love and respect our spouse like this if our life is totally surrendered to Him.
Lord, continue to teach me through these verses. I have so far to go.

 Lord, lead me to be a better wife, respect my husband, and let our marriage glorify You always.

I love you Alan! I hope we celebrate 700 more together ;)

don't laugh...