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Stalked by the Stork...a diary of raising twelve kids

Having twelve children is an amazing blessing and one heck of a crazy ride. Join us through all the joys, smiles, tribulations and trials as we navigate this fabulous journey!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Balance

...is something I'm struggling a bit with lately. Ideally, I'd like my day to include a clean house, three balanced meals and two snacks for the kids, reading time with the kids, nap time for ALL of us, quiet time for me, Bible reading time for me on my own, together with my husband and as a family, shower time and time for hair and makeup, time to bathe each kid in an unrushed, fun manner (read: time to let them splash and play), well dressed me, well dressed kids, well dressed hubby, fed dog, caught up laundry, time to complete my own homework, and help my kids with theirs once school starts, time to take my kids to football practice once that starts in a couple weeks, time to take the little ones to the park or on play dates. Time to check email, facebook and my online playroom (for mommies who had babies in April of 2010), and my beloved twins group, time to blog, and read other blogs that I love to follow, time to keep up the kids baby books and do some journaling of their lives, time to talk on the phone with my mom and sisters, me time, couple time with Albert, family time, time with each child individually, and of course, time for sleep. And oh yeah, maybe some exercise? Cause I could use it...

Let it suffice to say that ALL of this is not happening. MOST of it is not happening. Lately it seems like NONE of it is happening. I have never in my life felt so out of control, so chaotic, so breathless, exhausted and overwhelmed. I just can't seem to get a grip on everything. I'm so tired of tripping over piles of laundry needing to be washed, of realizing at 2:00 p.m. that I haven't taken anything out of the freezer to thaw for dinner yet, or that Jackson has been asking allllllll afternoon for me to play cards with him and I've made him feel like I just can't quite find the time to "pencil him in." I don't want to live in chaos. I realize that a certain amount of it is probably inherent in our family size and in the ages of our little ones, but I can't function long-term in this frazzled, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of way. I need an intervention. Badly. So, I recently joined Fly Lady. I'm sure many of you have heard of it. If not you can check out the link www.flylady.net

I am hoping that by following this plan, which doesn't call for immediate drastic changes, but rather adding in simple elements each day so that they begin to intergrate seemlessly into a routine, I can regain some sense of order and balance. Because I want a clean house. And I want to wear makeup, and to not fall asleep during my bedtime prayers. And most of all, for Brice not to have to ask me why we missed church, again, because Mommy can't quite manage to get it together in the mornings. And I don't want my kids to accumulate 57 tardies for the year. And I hate that Pizza Hut knows Albert by voice. So does McDonald's. And I certainally don't like deciding between blogging or showering. I don't like drawing a monentary blank when someone asks what grades my kids are going into, or the fact that school registration is just days away and I've yet to go pick up Alexandria's birth certificate of assemble the paperwork I'll need. I need organization. I am craving the calmness of having things properly situated and tended to.

So, wish me luck everyone. I'll let you know how it turns out. For now, I've shined my sink. And I'm off to bed. Oh yeah...the pediatrician called. The two drops wasn't enough...I have to take Mia back tomorrow for another sample. We're going to try "the bag" again since I'm so opposed to the catheter. So, wish Mia luck too...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

One thing that can help, too is delegating. There's no reason the older kids can't do laundry, help around the house, etc....
Still praying in Seattle!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Hey, Angela~
I know the feeling and I've only had 3 babies (each 3 years apart!). Please be patient with yourself--after all, Mia is really still a newborn! You have more on your plate than anyone I know, and your positive attitude and love of your life shines through in every blog entry. And I agree with Lynn--delegate. If you can afford it, I have found that my kids (10 and up) will do an amazing amount of work for $5 a week--and I stick to the strict 'no work, no pay' policy. Good luck with FlyLady--she has transformed the lives of many of my friends!

And most of all. . .God's peace that passes all understanding be yours. . .in the midst of the chaos--

Much love and In His Grip~
Kelly McCord

sharalyns said...

FlyLady changed my life. There are two keys to it that were crucial for me. They were mind changes.

1) Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps. Don't do too much off the bat or you burn out and none of it gets done.

2)You didn't get here in a day, and jump in where you are at. No self-beating up. Seriously, if your house has been a certain way for x number of years, it will *not* get done in 15 minutes. Let it go, do what you can today. I promise it adds up in the long run. :-)

Anonymous said...

The Lord is with you right now, lifting you up, giving you strength! Always praying!
Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Prayer Bears
My email address

debi9kids said...

Ang... menu plan! That changed my life! I couldn't take not knowing what to do each week for meals and it made life SO hectic. Make a menu and shop each week for those meals and STICK TO IT. I can not tell you how much easier it makes my day (esp when I do those crock pot meals first thing in the morning...)

Call me! Don't be such a stranger. You know i am a crazy rigid organized person. I can give you tips that won't make you feel overwhelmed.
LOVE you!

Anonymous said...

Funny as I read you blog I had the thought she needs Flylady. Guess you found it.

A blog stocker.

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