Just embrace it

The more stressed-out I've gotten this week, the more I realize that I really like to be organized, but rarely am. Usually what ends up happening is my house gets worse and worse and instead of tackling the mess, I walk to a different less-dirty room.

This week I've just tried to remind myself that, "Hey, you like to be organized, so embrace it and organize or clean something already!...even if it gets a little rigid sometimes."

I'm doing this in the hopes that I'll be a happier person and in turn, a happier mother. Something we all need me to be right now.

Some Perspective

[The principle reason the Church was organized is] "to make life sweet today, to give contentment to the heart today, to bring salvation today...

"Some of us look forward to a time in the future--salvation and exaltation in the world to come--but today is part of eternity."

--David O. McKay

Back to School Wisdom

I found the following poem included in Sammy's back-to-school packet. It made me feel sheepish and motivated in a myriad of ways...

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.

-Diane Loomans

Heart in the Home

I found this Ensign article particularly helpful for me as of late.

For Granted

I decided I take it for granted that if I lose my temper with my kids, they'll not only forgive me, but they'll forgive me the very next second...or minute, if they're really holding a grudge.

What happens on the day I wake up and they don't?

Sometimes, you just need a break

I'm getting a five day break from being a mom starting Saturday. I'm already missing my family and am sure I'll have an identity crisis by day 3. I'm grateful for my friends and hubby for making this possible. I'm going to Mary Kay seminar in Dallas! Should be a fun learning experience.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself when I wake up and at mealtimes. I'm sure I'll feel like a little lost puppy with only my own food to cut.

I'm Sorry

It's important to say you're sorry. And even if your children forgive you without that apology, I think it's a good habit to get into.

Sam is getting to that age where she won't let things go until you acknowledge her pain and apologize for it. Only then can she move on.

I remember growing up how my parents or siblings used to just brush me off. They would try to make light of a situation or try to make me feel better with humor. I always resented it. I wanted that apology. And sometimes it never came. I don't want that for my kids. So, I'm trying to be a big girl and apologize when I do something wrong.

Hopefully that will help now and in the future.