That is just their children, the mom is also stylish, trim, just finished jogging and does NOT look like she could collapse! When she isn't jogging, she is downing another bottle of water, from a metal "earth friendly" bottle, and then heading off to one of her many volunteer duties, or even off to work. Wherever she is going, she looks like she is happy to be there.
All the while, if you were to walk into her house, you would find it perfectly decorated, smelling amazing from a home cooked meal, and to top it off...IT IS CLEAN!! Did I forget to mention that her kids love her and her husband adores her? disclaimer ( any similarity with this description is purely coincidental.)
Seriously, how does she do it?! Or does she...
Yesterday, I found myself talking to my dear sweet husband about life, the purpose of it all, what dreams we had, and what to do with it all. Our conversation started out extremely positive but over the course of an hour I found my positivity turning into frustration and then out of nowhere a surprise "pity party" had popped up.
"What am I doing wrong?" "What is the point?" "Where am I headed?" "WHY DOES EVERYONE ELSE'S HOUSE ALWAYS SEEM CLEAN!"
Do you find yourself wondering the same questions?
When we first get married and start
having children, everything is new and fresh and exciting. We fill
our minds with information, reading every book we can get our hands
on from improving our love life with our spouse to raising our
children from birth in a Godly household. We join Moms groups, go on
play dates with friends and their children at the park, and for most
of us, talk to our mothers almost daily about all of the funny things
the grandkids have done. Then are given advice on how to raise them
properly and what medication to give or not to give for the random
stuffy nose. Our children are growing fast and while there are days
that we feel as though we cannot go on due to the shear exhaustion of
it all, new things happen daily and within a week all can change. We
are constantly on our toes, alert, and ready with juice box in hand.
For me, this was my life, and I loved it, minus the lack of sleep.
My point is, that in the early stages of raising children, our
purpose can be found in being Mommy to every need of that precious
child you have on your hip. It may be an exhausting purpose, but it
is yours and you do it well.
Along the way our children grow, become less dependent, and the newness begins to wear off. Where in the beginning, we were constantly involved in every moment of their lives, we now find ourselves being “filled in” on what is going on in their lives. My children are not fully grown yet, and I am positive there will be more changes to come, but for now, I am in the first few years of this stage and it has started me questioning what my purpose is right now. My son just turned 12 a few weeks ago and is in junior high, and my daughter is 9 going on teenager. I'm sure many of you know that stage quite well! Oh boy! My husband and I just celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary and I am still trying to locate where the time went. I am living my life one day at a time, and for today, God has asked me to share my struggles and successes with others in hopes to encourage other women who feel like they are lacking purpose, and are the only ones with a messy house!
Joshua 1:9 ..."do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." NIV
Love this! People ask me ALL the time.... How do you do it? or they say I don't know how you do it. Yesterday I said "I DON'T do it." My house is a mess, there is dust and toys and clothes and dirty dishes everywhere! I've been in my pajamas (literally) for the last 5 days. My kids probably have only had one bath this week and I just cannot stress about it. HAHAHA. As long as they are fed and watered I've had a successful day. :) Thanks for posting this, I love it. AND....WHERE does the time go? 14 years!! CONGRATS you guys...that is such an inspiration for all of us. Let's get together SOON!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn! I know exactly what you mean, my kids have never gone a day without love, food, and clothing...so that must mean that we are doing something right? :) We need to get together again for dinner or even next time your in town give a text, and if I'm not working we should meet up for coffee. I'd love to see your little sprout now that she has gotten bigger! Hang in there, you are a great Mommy!!
DeleteIts called CDO (that is what an OCD person calls it... they have to put EVERYTHING in ORDER!!!) Good blog!
ReplyDeletethat is funny! :) Thanks!
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