I am okay

Just wanted to share a few more thoughts--I think this blog is more for me than for anyone else and it is theraputic to get my thoughts out.

I am a procrastinator when it comes to things I don't really like to do, and sometimes with things I do like to do (like scrapbooking). I have been planning on getting back on track after being pregnant and having Benjamin, but not today. I really planned on starting my healthy eating habits and exercise when the kids go back to school in January. But after my doctor visit today, I got a wake up call and started today. My blood pressure is really high--high enough to be put on medicine if it doesn't drop some in the next week!!

It is high for many reasons--ones I can change. I have had relatively great health all my life and let bad habits creep back into my lifestyle (like lack of exercise, poor eating habits, eating too much and too much junk, too many activities, too much stress, too little sleep...). I felt I could do it all--be the ideal super mom that no one really can be.

Life will go by too fast--it already is. Ethan is a junior already and before I know it, all of the children will be grown. I put too much stress on myself thinking I need to get so many things done--but I know I cannot do them all without help. I need to enjoy this time instead of being so stressed that I can't enjoy the small (and big) things in my children's lives.

I know there are times and seasons for everything--now is the time when my house will never be "clean", when I will never have enough time to organize & get things put away since I choose to be involved in all my children's activites.

I was recently reminded that I need to enjoy the now--don't keep saying "if I can just get through this event, or get this project done." I really do know that I will never get everything done, and sometimes I think I stress so much about getting things done (whatever the project, school event, church activity, cleaning, etc) that I don't enjoy the process of planning and doing the things I do. Don't we all fall into this trap?

So today, I didn't stress that my Christmas newsletter and cards are not done yet alone mailed out. I didn't yell at my kids to go to bed. I sat and chatted with my sister. I played a game with Emmalee. The house is messy and I am okay.

I

thankful for family

Just a few thoughts about family. First--5 weeks ago I had our 6th baby by c-section and in the process had my appendix removed. So I was told recovery would take about 4-6 weeks and no lifting, bending, etc. for minimum of 3 weeks. Hard for a busy mom!!

I wanted to thank my mom for coming and helping with my recovery and taking care of my family. It was really nice to be waited on and not feeling the pressure to get things done that I knew I shouldn't be doing.

I am grateful for my children pitching in and helping with dishes and laundry and with our new baby, Benjamin. Brienna decided not to be the middle school basketball manager so she could be home after school and on weekends to be my manager.

My husband has been pulling more than his fair share. He got up during the nights when it was really hard for me to get the baby and change diapers. He has been doing dishes, laundry, and cooking. It has been nice to have the help of others.

Pamela (my sister) has gone shopping for our family 2 times (probably 2 times more than she wanted to). She almost needed 2 shopping carts. But it saved me a trip to town and all the time on my feet, lifting and bending when I shouldn't have.

I am grateful for my family members. I don't express my thanks and love often enough--life gets so busy and seems to fly by!!