Calling in the Reinforcements

Image by psd

Today the reinforcements are coming in.

Can I get a "Woohoo!!"

Actually, I didn't really call them in. They called me up and offered their help. How great is that?

One sweet girl is coming over to play with my boys. A dear friend is coming over and we're going to tag team the cleaning. The happy sound of a vacuum will ring through my home once again.

Yes, good friends can certainly make me wax poetic.

This will be the last item on my to-do list that I feel like really, really needs to be done before Alec gets here. Everything else is just gravy. I'll be 39 weeks tomorrow, so it could be today or it could be three weeks from now.

(Please don't make me wait 3 weeks, little man.)

I am so incredibly grateful today to have these friends who are not only willing to come help me, but even offered their help--more than once. May I have the generosity of spirit to see the needs of others in the future and serve them as well.

Would You Like to Be a Guest Poster?

Image by Swami Stream

Over the (approximately) six weeks that I'm planning to be mostly babymooning, I've got some flat fabulous guest posters lined up to share with you. Good stuff.

I'm still looking for a few more people who would be willing to write about the topics I cover here--basically the subjects covered in Titus 2. Loving our husbands and children, managing our homes, loving our Lord. This could cover a pretty wide range--money management, organization and productivity, quiet times, teaching our children, food preparation, etc.

If you have a post you'd like to share, please use the contact button above to inquire, and I'll send you the guest posting guidelines. You do not need to have a blog to submit a guest post.

I also want to remind you about the Hearts Turned Toward Home Series. It will be launching during my babymoon and I would absolutely love to hear from more of you. What has God done in your life to turn your heart toward your home? For more information about this series, you can go here.

What Crisis Management Mode Actually Looks Like

Image by Hamed Saber

Um. It's not pretty. (Unlike the lovely picture I've chosen for this post. I think I'm wishing I were there sometimes.)

I've been talking about crisis management mode here and here. And I'm definitely right in the middle of it. My baby isn't even here yet, but it is taking everything I've got just to get through the day. I'm waking many nights not being able to return to sleep. So, I'm very fatigued. Very.

A dear friend told me that perhaps even my last list was a little too ambitious. She told me to focus on "getting dressed and feeding and watering my family". Yes. I think she was right. As I have energy, I'm looking to other things as well, but I really don't have much energy.

So, right now, the house is often littered with random things. We've eaten eggs for dinner more times than I care to count. Laundry is in a little behind and what is clean is still in baskets. My husband is doing lots of dishes, and the meals we've had that weren't eggs, he prepared on the grill. (Bless that man.)

And blogging?

Ha!

That's about all I have to say about that.

To be honest, this has been really hard for me. I felt irresponsible and as though I were letting "someone" down. You know, the hordes of you who are tromping over here every day waiting with bated breath to read what I've written.

But I've come to realize (a bit painfully) that I may need to really step back from blogging even more than I had intentioned to when I anticipated baby coming. I don't plan to stop altogether. I love to write and I love to share what God has been teaching me. But this blog simply doesn't make the cut when it comes to my biggest priorities.

And that's OK.

Wow. What a burden lifted.

I am forever imposing burdens on myself that just don't need to be there. Doing things with a false sense of urgency.

When everything else falls away, there will be so little that really, really, really matters. And I want to focus on, and enjoy, what really matters.

I sincerely hope that those of you who stop by will continue to do so once in a while. Even if it means that there is a serious decline in fresh content. Of course, you could subscribe and then you wouldn't have to keep checking and you'd never miss a single captivating post. Hint, hint. Poke, poke.

But even if some of you move on to greener pastures and never visit again...that's OK. Can you tell I'm talking to myself?

Lord, thank you for the gift of family. For the blessings of children. Thank you for the opportunity of this season of life. Of nurturing, loving and teaching my little ones. May I never miss the "moments" that matter as I'm caught up in something far less important.

The Baby Plan

Image by leezie5

I'm about to have a baby.

I. Am. About. To. Have. A. Baby!

Ahhhhhhh!!

Deep breaths, deep breaths...

OK, in case you can't tell from recent posts, I've been feeling a little overwhelmed of late. I'm fatigued and emotional. I feel awkward and...heavy. My brain has a serious case of fogginess it seems--probably due to fatigue.

I've been trying to take good care of myself by eating relatively well, drinking lots of water, taking my Floradix, etc. But my daily walks have fallen by the wayside and my much, much needed time with the Lord has gotten pretty lax. Sleeping in will do that to you.

So, I'm feeling the need to put a plan--a concrete plan--down on paper. I've had a few plans throughout my pregnancy, but I'm feeling the need to simplify and change it up even more. I want to have a plan for these last few weeks leading up to birth time, and a basic plan in place for afterward as well.

My To-Do List:
Declutter and organize house
Clean, insure and move carseats to Buick (a bigger car to fit all five of us!)
Stock pantry and toiletry cupboards
Redecorating
Get all old pictures organized and made into photobooks
Sell items on Ebay and Amazon
Labor plan for little boys
Organize boys' clothing
Wash baby's diapers and clothes
Paint hallway (This is getting knocked off since Keith says there's just no way we can do this right now. Whew.)
Stock freezer with baked goods and dinner meals
Have garage sale (And this is getting knocked off because I'm seeing the light. Who was I kidding?)
Pack bags for me and for boys
Write series posts ahead of time

My Pre-Baby "Crisis Management" Plan

1. Sticking with the basics every day.
I do need to keep on top of some simple things like my menu plan, making very simple dinners, completing at least one load of laundry a day, a quick tidy, and doing the dishes. I've learned the hard way that letting these items get out of control is disastrous for me. These are my "sinks".

2. Making time with the Lord a priority.
Instead of saying, "Oh, I don't have time for this right now!" I need to say, "I'm so tired and overwhelmed, I must find time to spend with the Lord!" It's really my greatest need right now.

3. Mini-tasking the bigger items on my to-do list.
Some of the things on my to-do list might not get done, but I've got my to-do list tasks spread out and broken down into smaller items if necessary. This way I don't feel so overwhelmed. This approach actually helped me finally get my digital pictures organized and put into photo books. I've had this job sitting on my to-do list since my first son was born. He's four and a half now!

4. Calling in reinforcements.
I just might be calling in some young girls from church who can play with the boys for a day while I finish up some of my cooking and baking.

5. Giving myself grace.
I'm trying to do this, though not always very well. I have a bit of a driven nature, so it's hard for me to allow myself to not be "up to par".

6. Loving my family well.
It's really easy for me to be snappy in my fatigue and discouragement. But the one thing that really matters most right now is for me to love well. For my children to feel secure and loved--even if our house isn't always in the condition I like it to be. For my husband to have a smile in his direction instead of a frown.

My Post-Baby "Crisis Management" Plan

1. Just focus on the basics.
I'm hoping to have lots of food in the pantry and freezer so that I won't have to do very much cooking. But I'll still need to try to do at least a load of laundry every day, keep clean dishes, and do a quick tidy each day. These are things that I know Keith will help me with. (I love you, sweetheart!)

2. Make time with the Lord my biggest priority.
I don't think I've ever taken time to spend with the Lord on a regular basis after the birth of a baby. I was just too tired. But as I just mentioned, when do we need this time most? When we're tired, overwhelmed and discouraged. All things I usually experience after a baby is born. I'd like to be able to say in a couple of months, that even when I did nothing else all day, I found time to rest in the Lord.

3. Call in reinforcements.
My mother-in-law will help me as much as she can, my husband will also do what he can to keep us is in good shape. I may be able to have some young girls come in once in a while to do a quick and basic clean of the house.

4. Doing absolutely nothing that isn't absolutely necessary.
When Caden was born, I got back into the swing of things almost immediately. I thought I felt great! But I crashed soon afterward. I ended up struggling quite a bit with a case of baby blues that lasted longer than it probably should have. When Levi was born, I had learned my lesson. I did my best to follow the above rule, and while I still had some postpartum "downness", it didn't last as long or get as deep as with Caden.

5. Focus on healthy patterns.
Since I'm prone to postpartum depression, I really need to focus on getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious food and getting some activity when it's appropriate.

6. Giving myself grace and loving my family well.
Just as above, it's more important for me to be a source of love and security to my family even if the house is in a bit of chaos for a while. And it's so important to remember that I live under a gracious God! Life will gain a normalcy and pattern once again.

Whew. I feel better having just written down these things that have been floating in my brain. Time to actually put it into practice.

Connect with Colleagues: It's a REAL Job! Series # 11

Image by prakhar

If you're a homemaker, it can be easy to feel alone and isolated. No doubt, the work of home management and loving our families can be tough. Generally, a woman who is at home with her children and sees her position as home manager as a REAL job is a rarity these days.

The truth, however, is that you are not alone. There are indeed other women out there whose hearts are first and foremost with their families and homes--who strongly desire to live out the message of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31.

I'm here to say today that I highly recommend connecting with these "colleagues".

Why?

1. Fellowship
Women are made for friendship--in a way that is different from men. All humans are uniquely designed for relationship, but the friendships of women are special. We find great comfort and strength in our women friendships. Women can be tied together as sisters even though they didn't grow up in the same family.

2. Encouragement
As women, and definitely as homemakers, we need the encouragement of another woman who understands what we're going through. How many times have you been picked up by the compassion and care of a woman friend who spoke words of encouragement to you in a moment of need?

3. Motivation and challenge
We all go through times when we feel unmotivated. And we all go through times when we need someone to gently, but firmly point us toward truth and give us a push in the right direction. A friend who can do this is the dearest kind of friend of all. And someday, she'll probably need you to help her in the same way.

4. Accountability
When we set new goals, it makes a big difference to have someone to share those with and hold us accountable. Having someone who will "keep tabs" on you in a certain area is such a blessing.

5. Learning new things
Isn't it wonderful how God made each of us so unique? One of the beautiful things about relationships is that each person brings particular strengths to the table. I have friends who are naturally organized. I can learn a lot from someone like that. I also have friends whose gifts lie in their patience and wisdom with their children. I can also learn a lot from someone like that! You have something to offer to other women as well!

Who?

1. Someone who is in the trenches with you
A woman who is in the same season of life, can definitely be a source of encouragement. She knows exactly what you're talking about when you discuss the difficulties of training your children, balancing housework, and loving your husband. There are probably more women than you realize who are right where you are struggling to honor the Lord as wives, mothers, and homemakers.

2. Someone who has walked the path before you
Women who have "been there, done that" are such valuable resources! Titus 2 specifically points out that they are to be one of our main sources of "training" for our job. Not only can they offer encouragement, wisdom, knowledge and perspective, but they have lived to tell about it! Now, that says something, don't you think?

How?

1. Have some fun!
Friendships can be a wonderful way to relax, let down our hair, and just unwind. Sometimes it does us a world of good to simply have a chat and a cup of coffee with a good friend.

2. Pray for one another
Be intentional about praying for the needs in each other's lives. Pray for your marriages, for your children, for the struggles in your walk with Christ, and for your development and role as a home manager.

3. Spur each other on
Ask questions. Sometimes ask tough questions. As you dig deeper into each other's lives, it is appropriate to challenge each other and hold each other accountable like I mentioned earlier. Although not all of your friendships will have the same depth, I think we each need at least one friend who is willing to "dredge the deeps" of our hearts with us.

Where?

Maybe you're thinking, "Well, maybe you've been blessed with a wealth of these kind of women around you, but not me. I really am very alone."

You know what? God knows just what you need. He's made it clear in His Word, that His intention is for us to live as a body. To live in community with other believers as we encourage and spur one another on to good deeds. For older women to teach younger women.

So. I think I can boldly assert that we can ask God confidently to provide for our need for relationships with other godly women who will provide us with the training, encouragement and challenge we need as wives, mothers and homemakers.

I challenge you today--ask God to provide for this need. I'd love to know what He does for you in your life in this respect!

Sit and Sip Saturday Links

Image by @rhettmaxwell

I am tired. Whew. This week has been tough. The first full week of focusing on new priorities. Or newly focused priorities. Parenting is hard work. Nuff said. For now anyway.

And my poor brain is getting foggier and foggier it feels! I'm officially 36 weeks pregnant and I feel like I just can't think straight. It would be funny, if it weren't so frustrating. I'm a wee bit stressed about the things I'd like to have done before little Alec arrives, the chance of those things actually getting done getting smaller, and my inability to pull it together and think straight, for crying out loud! Ahem.

Thank the Lord for His new mercies every morning. I'm definitely in crisis mode here--and to be honest, today I've not been following my own advice well at all. Whew. Again. I'm so glad for fresh starts!

Here are some goodies from my reader this week--though I haven't been doing much reading. And I'm not convinced that what I've read has really made it past my corneas into my brain. See above.

But maybe for those of you who aren't 36 weeks pregnant, this stuff will stick with ya better.

Organizing Your Domain
50 Ways to Streamline Your Life @ Life as MOM
How to Make It Easy for Someone to Watch Your Kids @ The Happy Housewife

Health and Nutrition
Watch Out for These Health Busters @ Simple Mom

Father's Day!!
Ideas for Father's Day @ GirlTalk

Nurturing Your Children
The List--Children's Literature We Love @ Simple Kids
I've found great encouragement and stuff to think about in the series that Christin at Journey to a Gracious Woman and Sarah Mae at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee have been writing. They've been writing about discipling and training our children--a subject pretty heavy on my mind of late. Check it out by visiting their blogs and poking around. There are several posts.

Stewarding the Finances
100 Different Ways to Save $100 This Year @ Money Saving Mom
A Surefire Way to Get Rich Quick @ Simple Mom (OK, this doesn't really fit here, but...I wasn't sure where to put it, OK?)

Enjoy, ladies, and have a wonderful, restful weekend!

Planning and Scheduling Blog Posts

Image by tanakawho

So, the week before last I took a vacation. Actually, it was a staycation. A much needed break. Not only did our family need some time to chill--I really needed some time away from the techno world. So, I unplugged. At least, moreso than I usually do.

But I still had a few blog posts pop up through the week. And this is where my Works For Me Wednesday tip comes in.

Planning and scheduling blog posts ahead of time.

Truly, I would never survive as a blogger if every day I had to sit down and come up with something new to write about. I just couldn't do it! So, here's what I do:

1. Anytime I get an idea for a blog post, I jot it down in my planner.

2. I keep a rough schedule for my blog posts at least a couple of months ahead of time.

3. When I have a spare moment, I write a rough outline for a blog post.

4. I gather all of my pictures a week at a time.

5. I usually have a theme for each day (Monday is my series post, Wednesday is WFMW, etc.).

6. Just about every Saturday, I write almost all of the blog posts for the coming week.

7. I schedule my posts in Blogger so that they post without me.

Voila!

This saves me so much time, energy and frustration! This might not work for everyone, but it totally and completely works for me!

Anybody else out there a pre-poster? Got any other tips to share for efficient blogging?