Friday, October 10, 2014

Juggling It All

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post.  So much has happened and I will just give you the highlights.

Garrison turned 9.  NINE - how is that possible?!  This boy amazes me every day with his character and love for others.

 Garrett turned 32!  We celebrated by having dinner with his family.  What a fun night!

 Getting bday kisses from our oldest fur baby.

The card Garrison made for Garrett.  This was the best gift he received I'm pretty sure.

This girl got a new job...and got my hair done! :)

I have truly loved having extra time with this cutie patootie.  He's as feisty as he is cute but I wouldn't change one thing about this boy.  <3 

Although I have really enjoyed my involuntary time off work and extra time with my boys being a SAHM is exhausting!  I have fallen asleep on the couch while my husband was in the middle of a conversation with me, in the afternoon while Ethan was napping and my favorite - in the carpool line.  I have said it before and I will say it again... I have mad respect for you SAHM's.  How do y'all do it?!  I am more exhausted being home all day with an almost 3 year old than I was working full time.  I am excited but nervous about starting my new full time <eek> job on Tuesday.  It's been over 2 years since I have worked full time and although it's only 10 more hours per week I am still going to have to retrain myself on how to juggle it all again.

And that brings me to this post.  I am pretty sure I have blogged about this topic before so forgive me if this is repetitive.  Why do we wives and moms feel obligated to please everyone all the time?  It's just not possible.  Well, I guess it could be if we use every last ounce of energy we have and try to run on a few hours of sleep and lots and lots of caffeine.  After being married for 11 years and a mom for 9 years I have learned that it really is okay to have my priorities in the order God wants them - God, Spouse, Children.  Everything else comes after that.

I am so thankful to have girlfriends who live by these same priorities.  So they completely understand when we have to plan a girls night a month in advance.  It is okay to keep in touch with your best friends by text, emails and phone calls until you have time to hang out.  I know people say you should make time for your friends but listen up Mamas.  I'm here to tell you to not feel an ounce of guilt for choosing a date night with your husband or a family movie night over a night out with your girlfriends.  It is okay to say no sometimes if you just have too much on your plate.  It's okay if you can't be the room mom, team mom, PTA treasurer, party hostess, guest speaker and HOA board member in the same year.  The classroom will survive.  Someone else can monitor the dugout for a few games.  The PTA will go on.  The party guests will not notice.  Life goes on, I promise.  

My opinion is that other than a personal relationship with Jesus a strong and healthy marriage is the greatest gift you can give to your children.  And we only have the privilege of being with our kids for around 18 years so we have to soak that time up, teach them everything we can and let's be honest - learn everything we can from them.  Any genuine friendships I have will be lasting.  Those girls will be there for me as I raise these boys - and I will be there for them.  And we will have plenty of time for lots and lots of girls nights when we are empty nesters.  I have the rest of my life to volunteer for things and attempt to make this world a better place.  Right now I want to focus on strengthening my marriage and raising my boys to have the same values and goals we do - to spread God's love in this world.

Can I get an Amen?!

~ Jewels*