It is Saturday morning and it has been a long week. A week where I’ve wondered when my children’s needs will reduce, how to make certain rules/boundaries easier to follow, how to keep a house clean when no one else but me thinks it is normal to put dirty clothes in a laundry basket, or not throw toilet paper on the floor. It has been a week of increased work responsibility with no increased pay and bills that need paying, a week of hospital and Dr visits for my children with scary thoughts about potential surgeries. And well, I’ve felt positively discouraged and worried and anxious and a tad like I’m failing.
And then today my best friend from the UK called, our lives are so different and on the outside we have nothing in common, but it works (isn’t that the beauty of friendship?). And today she called me and for a whole phone call I ignored the rising noise around me, knowing my darlings were perfectly fine enjoying some books, and I listened and laughed and was encouraged. In that phone call she reminded me I am a person, yes flawed, but a worthy person who won’t be perfect, not as a significant other, mother, employee, friend, daughter or any other role we can have in a lifetime. She reminded me, because this week I really needed reminding, God understands when He sometimes gets the scraps, and she helped me figure out solutions to be able to give more than the scraps. She helped me realize, even on the hard days, I’m not a lost cause.
And as I try to practically link this important lessons to our life this weekend, this weekend I’m going to be easier on myself and prioritize right. I’m going to give myself grace in abundance. So this weekend my goals are:
Motherhood
Play Monopoly with my children
Finish reading Flat Stanley outloud
Finish reading Geranimo Stilton outloud
Do 4 pages of their workbooks with each
Bake something together
Go for a walk in the snow
Knit with my daughter
Do 6 physiotherapy sessions with my daughter
Family Bible Study
Scripture memory verse
Household Management
Do a basic clean
Make meals for Monday & Tuesday evening
Laundry ready for Monday
Pay bills
Do internet banking
Change sheets
Organize my son’s room
Grocery shop
Work
Finish appraisals for staff
Finish an ethics approval document
Finish a request for info document
Make a workplan for my students
Do a comms plan
Myself
Knit
Read a book
Drink 6 glasses of water each day
Get a new swimsuit (despite the fact it really isn’t in the budget, the reality is I can’t take my children to free swimming sessions without one and I desperately need exercise!)
30 minutes Bible reading each day
And suddenly, I feel like I can breathe again. Encouragement just when I needed it.
Happy Weekending!
I don’t know how you do it! Praying for you always, and thankful for your friend. <3
Also, Flat Stanley! My nieces loved that book.
It sounds like a perfect weekend to me!
I remember when my four were still little, it seemed as if I was doing nothing more than chasing my tail. I couldn’t help but want to rush through the stages so that I could just take a moment to breathe. Now, with 2 on their own and the younger 2 almost ready to fly the nest, I wish I had stopped long enough to enjoy those busy days (and nights).
It sounds like the phone call was just what you needed and that you have your priorities in line. That can be hard to remember to do – taking the time out to enjoy the moment.
Have a wonderful weekend! Let us know who won the Monoply game!
Oh my…..you have a lot that you’re hoping to do this weekend….it can be so challenging to combine the many roles we sometimes have…I remember those busy weekends and weekdays (eventually, things do slow down). I saw a nice post on Believe Anyway that had some perspectives that I find helpful…kind and caring ideas…. http://believeanyway.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/no-place-like-home/ Wishing you well,,.. : ) Kathy
Oh my! Busy!
I am 100% sure you are making progress “constructing” your family each day, even when it does’t feel like it (maybe especially when it doesn’t feel like it!).
Be kind to yourself.
None of us are perfect, so be kind to yourself. My boys still need reminding every single day that the laundry bin is there for a reason
Thinking of you all x
Hello dear FT. You are accomplishing amazing things…you may not see the progress in a week or a month, but your little actions are building one upon the other. I’ve been a bit of a hermit lately, but think of you and yours often and pray. k
Ditto to what Kathleen says here! I wish that your cup may be filled and that you have a wonderful, productive week ahead.
Busy weekend! But how great the feeling as we accomplish the things on our list. Glad to hear all is well, with lots of learning for you all! Geronimo Stilton is a huge favourite at the school library where I volunteer xx
Encourages are tremendously important. I’m so glad you have a good encourager!
I am glad you received such wonderful encouragement and reinforcement. Know that you are in the prayers of many—including mine. Keep moving forward. God is with you.
Only mothers are on intimate terms with the laundry basket!! To children and partners it is just that “thing” that sits in a corner! LOL!
I agree with Catherine R Staat the years will fly by so take time to enjoy the sweet small moments.
Read this quote the other day and thought of you and your children.
“Adoption is when a child grew in it’s Mummy’s heart instead of her tummy” Anonymous
I am amazed at all that you do achieve….. you really are outstanding…
FT, for all you have on your plate all day, every day, you are doing AMAZINGLY well. One small suggestion from me. Leave work at work. Don’t bring work home to do after hours or at weekends, no matter how great the temptation. Devote that time solely to you and your children and guard it for the precious time it is. The work will still be there on Monday or the next morning and the world doesn’t end if things aren’t done as quickly as others want them to be. Lx