Where have I been?

Life takes many twists and turns.  Some are unexpected and happen at such a fast pace that everything else in your life goes on the back burner.

Such change has happened in my family.  If follow me on instagram, you have seen some hints of it.

I have taken a new job, we are in the process of selling our home and we have moved in with my in-laws (temporary) .  Why haven't I been writing?

Well a few reasons:
1. New job = more hours (I put in over 60 away from the home last week)
2. No home/kitchen = fewer things to write about on a homemaking blog.
3. All of my crafting supplies are in storage

It is difficult to write on homemaking when you are currently without a home to call your own.  I know that blogging and writing is good for my soul, so I will continue.  Just at a slower pace.  Fear not, this blog is not dead, and I am so thankful that so many of you are enjoying many of my older articles and recipes.  Those will have to do for now.

10 Reasons You Are Homemaking Challenged and 10 Simple Ways to Overcome (part 4)

Today is the day where you will discover the final 5 simple ways to overcome being Homemaking Challenged.  Make sure you check out part 1 & part 2 for the 10 reasons you are Homemaking Challenged, and part 3 for the first five simple ways to overcome.

6) Plan ahead - overcoming a lack of Planing and Organization
It is simple.  You must create a plan of attack, and FOLLOW THROUGH.  Know that the 2nd Tuesday of the month you are responsible for snacks at school.  Put a reminder on your phone the day you go shopping and then the night before to prep it.  Two simple things that take less than 20 seconds that will save you a frantic headache in the end, but only if you take those few moments and plan ahead.

7) Leave the past where it belongs, behind you - overcoming your past
This is hard, but don't let your past failures have too big of an impact on the now.  You have grown, and (hopefully) learned from the last time, and can make adjustments.  So what if last time you spent 10 hours cleaning your home from top to bottom to only have it seemingly destroyed by your family in less than half that time.  Guess what, surface messes are quick and easy to clean, even if they appear overwhelming.  This time is different, it is a fresh start.

8) Know what you want - overcoming a lack of direction
Sometimes we simply don't know what we want and WHY we want it.  When you have a purpose, it can help drive you, and give you a reason to go for it, even when you don't feel like it sometimes.

9) Sleep - overcoming Exhaustion
Honestly, give yourself grace.  Baby waking up in the middle of the night?  You are exhausted, don't stay up late, wake up early and try to get everything done during nap time.  You will just make it worse.  Sleep when you can, go to bed early and drink tons of water.  You may need to make some adjustments nutritionally, and schedule wise, but there are ways to fight the sleepiness.

10) Just do it - overcoming laziness.
It is so hard sometimes to fight this.  Honestly I mean, who wouldn't want to simply read, or relax watching a movie?  Here is the deal, you need some down time but you also need to get things done.  My favorite trick is to set a timer.  Say 20-30 minutes, and work as hard and fast as I can for those 20 minutes.  Then I set a timer for the same amount of time and read/watch a show.  Small increments work well.  I also like a challenge, so sometimes I set a timer and see if I can clean "xyz" before it goes off.  Sometimes, you just have to get off your bum, and get it done.

I hope that you have gained some insight throughout this series (part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4) as to why you may be Homemaking Challenged, and need some help in this area, as well as some insights that will help you on your journey as a Homemaker.

Happy Mother's Day

I had a realization this week.

I think it is appropriate to share today, as it is Mother’s Day.

First, I have a confession.  I have been feeling exhausted and overwhelmed lately.  I have been firing on all cylinders, and I have been very task oriented lately.  I have learned that when I am too task oriented, I have a tendency to hyper focus, and get cranky when anything stops me, or distracts me from completing my tasks.  Even my precious children.

I just need a break from them, if I just had two hours away to get all this done, I would feel so much better.  Then they wouldn’t be distractions, and I could finish faster and relax for a bit to recharge... Or so I thought.

Yet, when I am away from my children, my heart aches for them, and it is just as every bit distracting.

Then it hit me.

I have it backwards.  I should not be so task oriented, because my kids are not a distraction.  My kids need me more than my tasks.  It is more important for me to read another story, or go play in the backyard with them, than reply to a work email, or to blog.  It is more important to push them on the swings or watch them play than to try and do practically anything else.

I am not saying let everyone starve while you choose to not make dinner, I am saying find other things that you don’t need to do while you are with your kids, and truly be WITH your kids.

Put away your phone, unplug the TV, close the computer & tablets, and fully invest some more time with your kids.  Away from the distractions of the rest of life.  Forget your to-do list for an hour.  I mean it, forget that it even exists.  Give your children a full hour or two of undivided attention.  Fully enjoy and embrace motherhood.

Sure, after that time, you may be tired, and more overwhelmed by the less time you have to accomplish your todo list.  However, your heart will be full, your babies will know how much you love them, and you will have the sweet reminder of what an amazing blessing it is to be called “Mom”.

If you are in the place of feeling like all you need is a break today, sweet mother, use the fact that it is Mother’s Day to have someone else do your “todo” list and fully enjoy your children.  If they need something, have someone else meet that need, and just spend some time, loving on your sweet babies, like only you can.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!