I'm reminded of my need to stop and smell the flowers this week. 
Sometimes I get so busy doing the dailies that I forget to just stand still. While I applaud myself at the end of the day with all I've accomplished, I also have begun to realize anew at the things that could have been done differently. That doesn't mean I'm smacking myself upside the head, but seeing that my attention could be diverted a tad.
There's a phrase I've heard, and have seen as a decorative button (on Facebook) that says simply, "Take time" and has a picture of a tea set. Here it is, I have two little girls as my youngest children, but rarely do I stop long enough for us to enjoy that sort of thing. Sure, I'll boil the kettle for them to have a tea party, but I don't always stop long enough to savor it with them. I'm always feeling so guilty about the homeschooling---and trying to keep up with teaching 5 kids, and are the clothes finally dry on the lines, and is the house tidy, and when can I buy some new jeans for this child or the other, and I forget to enjoy the simple things.
That balance is hard to find. How to fit it all in, and feel settled in my own heart at the same time? And to allow myself room to change the schedule when needs arise. That demon guilt is a constant companion, and that needs to stop. These kids are growing up so quickly, and truly enjoying them needs to be a priority. And honestly...I'm feeling guilty for what? Having physical limitations and only a 24 hour day? My goodness. If I was given a longer day, I'd just fill it with more non-important nonsense.
Play more. I need to make this my motto. And if the kids are consistently reminding me of my need to have fun, then it must be serious, eh?
...as a reminder of the foolishness I need to take part in....ten-year-old daughter is on the sofa playing with the Pugs right now. She just started laughing so hard. Turns out, while daughter was yawning, Violet got close and licked the roof of her (daughter's) mouth. Yuck, but funny at the same time....daughter is presently rinsing her mouth at the kitchen sink!
(photo by me)
Sometimes I get so busy doing the dailies that I forget to just stand still. While I applaud myself at the end of the day with all I've accomplished, I also have begun to realize anew at the things that could have been done differently. That doesn't mean I'm smacking myself upside the head, but seeing that my attention could be diverted a tad.There's a phrase I've heard, and have seen as a decorative button (on Facebook) that says simply, "Take time" and has a picture of a tea set. Here it is, I have two little girls as my youngest children, but rarely do I stop long enough for us to enjoy that sort of thing. Sure, I'll boil the kettle for them to have a tea party, but I don't always stop long enough to savor it with them. I'm always feeling so guilty about the homeschooling---and trying to keep up with teaching 5 kids, and are the clothes finally dry on the lines, and is the house tidy, and when can I buy some new jeans for this child or the other, and I forget to enjoy the simple things.
That balance is hard to find. How to fit it all in, and feel settled in my own heart at the same time? And to allow myself room to change the schedule when needs arise. That demon guilt is a constant companion, and that needs to stop. These kids are growing up so quickly, and truly enjoying them needs to be a priority. And honestly...I'm feeling guilty for what? Having physical limitations and only a 24 hour day? My goodness. If I was given a longer day, I'd just fill it with more non-important nonsense.
Play more. I need to make this my motto. And if the kids are consistently reminding me of my need to have fun, then it must be serious, eh?
...as a reminder of the foolishness I need to take part in....ten-year-old daughter is on the sofa playing with the Pugs right now. She just started laughing so hard. Turns out, while daughter was yawning, Violet got close and licked the roof of her (daughter's) mouth. Yuck, but funny at the same time....daughter is presently rinsing her mouth at the kitchen sink!
(photo by me)
