The weather has taken a cold turn here. So we have pulled out the long pajamas. I love Walker in these jammies. They remind me of his layette days. I love to keep my babies in layette clothing for as long as I can. They just fit into my arms so much more comfortably that way. And they are just so sweet.
A few months back I wrote a couple of posts that prompted some helpful comments from my friends out there.
I thought I would give you a little update about the complaint file I had going. I will say that I hesitate to write anything that seems like advice, because I don't claim to be an expert on anything. But I will say a few things about what I have learned.
Being a mom takes a lot of mental and physical work. We all know this. It is sometimes draining. I felt myself becoming a little too drained. I could not keep up with my house, my kids, my exercise routine, my church assignments, my meal preparation, my spiritual growth, and my need for a good attitude.
So I did a bit of a self evaluation. And there were some hard cold facts that needed to be faced. I was tired, so I needed to do what I could to change that. I was neglecting my scripture study. And when I really looked hard, I had to admit that I was giving in to an entitled attitude toward life. And entitlement is a dangerous place to be.
Why should it be easy?
That does not help me challenge myself and become a better person. There is no one that should be doing this work for me. It is my job. And in truth, it is my privilege. And my Heavenly Father's plan for me.
So I used this Summer to straighten a few things out. I will never claim that I have all the answers, or that I have any kind of routine down perfectly.
I am not the type to do anything to an extreme.
But if I do everything a little more than I used to, and some things a lot more, I know it will eventually all even out.
Soda Pop:
So now I will tell you about a bad habit I had fallen into. I did not grow up in a home where there was soda pop available to me on any kind of regular basis. So for the most part I have lived my life indifferent to it. I do enjoy it however. I love the taste of a nice cold Coke. The real stuff, no nasty Diet for me. Especially after what I have learned about Aspartame.
But I had started drinking soda pop more than I had at any point before. Not even every day. But enough that I actually took notice of the habit.
And, as I mentioned in one of my complaining posts previously, I was having dizzy spells. A lot. It was interfering with my ability to keep up with the demands in my life. I was forgetful and having what felt like shortness of breath.
So when a friend from church mentioned that he had not had any carbonation for six months, and he was shooting for a year, I decided to take up the same challenge. I am happy to report that I have not had any carbonation for five months now.
And it is looking like an indefinite time line is attached to this lifestyle choice, because my dizzy spells are gone!
I don't want to say that was the only thing that has helped, but I know that it certainly has not hurt.
Some can drink pop, and not have the side effects I was. But my body can't handle it.
I now don't even miss lemonade. Which is what I went to after I dropped the Coke, when I wanted a treat. I am good with water, or my green smoothies. Which I admit, some days I love, and some days I choke down. But the energy boost is amazing from a little banana, spinach, celery, or cabbage!
Housekeeping:
I also wanted to touch on the housekeeping aspects of my complaint file. The comments from friends were so helpful. First, because I backed off of myself a little. My kids are ALL over the place. My brood requires quit a bit of constant supervision.So, naturally our home is going to take a bit of a beating. And I am blessed to have energetic, imaginative, healthy, children.
I have tried to view all of this a little differently. What would my house be without the family that lives in it? Really empty. Really unimportant.
So I am working on viewing the messes with the attitude that it is all getting us to a point. A destination, as a close family. As a family that is learning, and spending time together. And some days, the mess is part of the journey.
I read a hilarious quote somewhere that I loved,
"We can't both look good at the same time. It is either me or the house."
So true!
But, guess what? I still want my house to be clean!
So we started a little rewards program. A certain number of jobs completed means a trip to the dollar store. Add some more points to the list, and it is a trip to the movie theater. This was a great motivator for my kids, and they now know how to clean a toilet lid and seat, and the bathroom counter like nobody's business. That really lifted a burden from me.
I started making my own cleaner, with essential oils, vinegar, and water.
So I know they are not inhaling a gallon of blue cleaning detergent while they scrub.
Our basement has stayed tidier. If only slightly, but I will take what I can get. And my kids seem to be a little more in tune with the consequences of making a mess.
School started and threw a wrench in my plan a bit. But at least when I call out that certain jobs need to be done, everyone know HOW to complete the task. So now we need to get that train back on track. I do go to bed with a shiny sink however!
I actually did cancel my home cleaning service for the Summer. But I will confess now... this will not last!
Del has gotten even more tied up running Patient's Choice lately, and whenever his work load increases, it seems to put a little more strain on me to keep up at home. So I am planning to make the phone call to get my helpers back any day now. And I have also decided that I refuse to feel any kind of guilt, or inadequacy for using the help available to me. To each his own!
And for some "his own" is to call in reinforcements!
Spirituality:
Now my favorite part. My scripture study. Thank you so much to everyone you had tips for me on study guides!
I ordered a used institute manual off of Amazon, and dug in.
I also pulled out my notes from a Young Women leadership training I attended at the start of the year, given by Sister Gibb. She talked about being 100% in your day. Read your scriptures. It does not matter for how long. Say your prayers, and Smile!
I decided to do it. I have felt my love for the scriptures increase beyond measure. I understand so much more who these people are, and have found the ability to liken what they wrote to my life, and the world I live in now. I have seen how taking time to really see those around me and what they struggle with has lifted my burdens. I have read about how the men in the scriptures prayed for their neighbor, served their God, gave their lives, and did things that are much more difficult than anything I will ever do.
I have had an increase in my understanding. I have felt the love of the Lord more fully in my life. I have a long way to go. The scriptorian goal feels a little out of reach most days, but I can read a chapter. That is in my power.
I have experienced the truth that I have heard that the scriptures will make room in my mind for even more knowledge. Some of it Gospel related, and some of it secular.
Now I need to be better at the smiling thing. Baby steps.
Real Food:
And this leads me to my last area of concentration for the Summer.
Food.
Pretty simple?
While thinking about the needs of my kids, and myself, I stumbled upon a blog that completely changed my view on what we are eating. Then a friend lent me a book about the same subject and the ball started rolling.
To put it simply. My family can do better.
Thankfully, we have been eating only whole wheat bread and pastas, and brown rice for a few years now.
But now it is wheat I grind, rice I have soaked, veggies I know are organic, and pasta that is from organic grains. Whole foods.
Yes, I have turned into a real food lovin', farmers market shoppin' coconut oil usin', organic label buyin' grass fed beef eatin, Omega 3 egg crackin'---- freak!
No more margarine, 1% milk, soy products, or high fructose corn syrup in my house! If I can help it.
I am overwhelmed with how much there is to take in and change in my life. But we are making it baby step, by baby step. And I love it!
My kids have never been so regular! Ha!
Yes, I spend WAY more time in my kitchen. But, I am trying to be patient with it because there is a learning curve with everything. Luckily, I have been making dinner for my family all along, so it is just a matter of switching things out for healthier options. But there is still time involved. I have gone through and rid my pantry of our unhealthy past staples, and we have not eaten a box of cold cereal in months, except while traveling. I have not even attempted to do this when we are not at home.
I have become quit imaginative with school lunches. So if you want any ideas, or have any ideas to give me, let me know. He, he!
And yes, we do mess up. We eat out every so often, on weekends, (while we travel... forget about it.) my kids get snacks that I don't necessarily love, and I might enjoy them too.
I am still struggling with my addiction to sugar, and Del is trying not to roll his eyes at my enthusiasm about eating whole foods.
I still let my kids have the candy from the birthday party, and I still have a piece of Portillos eclair cake here and there. Life is about balance, but we needed to swing that scale back to the wholesome side of things a lot more. Overall, we have made some big changes.
But we are making changes that matter. And overall, those changes are making a difference. I love it! I love knowing we just might be getting the vitamins, enzymes, proteins, and pro-biotics we need, from our food.
I think I will update what I learn as I go here on my blog.
Though I am timid about doing it.
There are a lot of resources for information, and I have only scraped the surface. It is actually exciting, as nerdy as that may sound.
I am finally getting the tune-up I have desperately been in need of.
Many days I am still tired. Many days I still have a floor strewn with toys and laundry. Many days, I forget about important things. And many days I pass over the carrot for the cookie.
I am just so grateful to have friends, family and good examples around me to point me in the right direction. And hopefully stop my entitled attitude in it's tracks.
Makes me grateful for the time I have on this Earth. Learning little by little, and being corrected when I slip. Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. Please understand, no soap box here, I just wanted to let everyone know it made a difference!
