I have to say, overall life is very good in our household. We are all healthy, Eric is secure and happy at his job, we have a wonderful new home, the fall weather is fantastic, our kids are happy and doing well at school and we have the blessing of a new baby on the way.
So, why do I feel like all I want to do is cry right now? It's because of all those pesky little things. You know, all those little jobs and annoyances that crop up throughout our day. Well, lately it feels like there is an awful lot of them. Things such as bedbugs, mountains of laundry, dogs who suddenly decide that the best and only place to potty is on the playroom carpet, two year olds who seem to agree with the dog, pregnancy fatigue, husbands working overtime, bathrooms that haven't been properly cleaned since who knows when, unfounded fears about the baby's delivery, Christmas coming so quickly, bad dreams (both me and my five year old), the list seems to go on and on.
None of these things are major or particularly out of the ordinary. They are just all happening at once and my tired mind and body are feeling overwhelmed.
So, I'm asking for a little help. What do you do when all the little things get out of control? How do you get back on track when time and energy seem to be so limited?
I'd love a few tips or even just a few encouraging words and prayers. Or maybe I'll just go let myself have that cry...
6 comments:
Update: Just writing this post has already made me feel so much better and more in control. Sometimes a gal just needs to unload, you know?
Also, in the haste to get out the door this morning (Eric's going into work super early this week so I'm doing the morning getting-ready-for-school routine all by myself) I didn't get much more done for myself than to brush my teeth and thrown on some clothes. I finally just got done properly washing my face, brushing my hair and I changed into some more respectable clothes. It's amazing how accomplishing these simple things can really improve my mood!
And I'm sure pregnancy hormones have nothing to do with it either ;). Glad you're feeling better.
I'll be praying for you anyway. It always helps me to remember the Hail Holy Queen prayer and that this is a Valley of Tears no matter how we dice it. Feeling that way shows how we are meant for heaven. And it's all the overwhelming little things that help get us there.
Colleen,
I was just going to say that you need to go pamper yourself, especially before baby arrives!! I really think pregnancy hormones can make us feel out of control!!
Do you have a good friend or mother or someone who could help come over and help you catch up on laundry. Maybe you can have a folding party. You wash everything and then everyone helps you fold while watching a girlie movie?
Or after the kids go to bed you and Eric can have a quiet date at home. He can pick up something from Olive Garden on the way home. Feed the kids and send them to bed early. And eat dinner and just talk??
Or go get a haircut this weekend?
I know EXACTLY how you feel!! Believe me. And having a good cry is helpful ... except for the hangover headache!
I had a near mental breakdown 6-8 weeks before Veronica was born. I think its that nesting instinct. I wanted the house completely cleaned and I thought we had termites and I went bezerk (sp?). My mom came over a few days later and cleaned for me while my mom-in-law helped fold clothes.
You know what, the next week the house and laundry were back to normal. LOL!! But it was nice to know that at least it had been done once upon a time.
Also, maybe this weekend (or next) Eric and the kids can treat you to a relaxing weekend where you put up your feet and the kids constantly bring you ice water (because you NEED to drink your water!!!!!) while they clean the house. They can put on aprons and with Eric's help clean one room at a time. He can fold while they run upstairs and put away. And when they're done cleaning you can surprise them with pizza for dinner and a family movie (don't forget to tell delivery guy to bring paper plates so your kitchen stays clean).
Just some ideas. Relax, get your naps and sleep, take your vitamins and be easy on yourself. You're doing the most important job by just taking care of you and baby!!
Remember your end goal is Heaven, not perfectly folded laundry (which WILL get dirty again).
And after (or before even) the pampering and cleaning or both, do the most important thing ... take some time to just go sit in front of the Eucharist. Enjoy the quiet and let Him speak to your heart.
Colleen, I miss you guys and would TOTALLY go over and have my GIRLS clean and fold for you while I sat and chatted with you! LOL!!! I might help them, too. ;-)
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you." Phillipians 4:8-9
"But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self control." 1 Timothy 2:15
Colleen,
This vocation of yours will be your way to sanctification!!! I will be praying for you! And offering up little sacrifices for you. And maybe you can offer up your sacrifices for those moms who don't have much longer.
Love you, sweetie!!! (((hugs)))
Love,
Lillian
Thank you so much Christine and Lillian! I just cried as I read your comments. Thank you, thank you! Lillian, so many of your suggestions sound just like what I need and I'm going to make a point of doing some of them this weekend. Thank you both so much for your empathy and prayers. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people as friends!
Thanks for posting those belly photos. You are SO cute. You are definitely one of those people who have the 'ball' out front and the normal thin pre-pregnancy body behind it.
I wonder if I've asked this before...but does it seem as though any of the children have inherited your height?
Jill,
Jonathan has always been a little above average for his age, but not exceptionally tall. Elizabeth is my tall one so far. Her height has always ranged from 75%-90% on the charts, but I was generally taller than her at the same age. Gustin is my little one, taking more after Eric. (Eric was a small child, though he is average height now.) At a couple of check-ups he was only at 15% on the growth charts. But, I think he is getting closer to average now.
It's interesting the think about where they will be when they are all fully grown. I was finished growing by the time I was 14 but Eric didn't finish growing until he was in his 20s. So, who knows how tall my kids will end up or even when they will stop growing!
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