Things That Pile Up

I know I have so much to learn about life, and mothering and managing a household - but one thing I do know for sure is that it requires a lot of effort and energy to keep all the plates spinning.  You can push out a really hard-effort-day and get caught up in a lot of areas, but if you fall for that old lie that you deserve to rest on that success, it won't be long and you'll be scrambling all over again.  Things pile up.  And they pile up quickly.  I am convinced that it is much, much easier for a pile of laundry, bills, or dishes to appear than it is to make those very same things disappear.

In a busy household of boys, it is very much the norm that I feel like I am behind.  Spending a day to push all of the laundry through the cycles and when they all undress at the end of the day there lies another load of dirty laundry!  You just get dinner cleaned up and they are circling back for snack.  It is the natural flow of life.

When I stop and take the time to think about it, I have to simply accept that although I do want to grow in my home management skills, and need to, I will not change the natural flow of life around here! Even with all the newest pinterest ideas, analyzing of whether I am a piler or a filer, creating systems and strategies to tackle the mundane, it is all going to repeat itself.  Piles happen.  I need to face that fact.  But I also know that the days zip past and my boys outgrow their clothes and wear out their shoes and lose teeth and start new grade levels and learn more words and new skills and they change and grow and change and grow.  All so fast.

I want to remind myself to prioritize my time with my boys.  To set aside the "household tasks" in order to listen to them talk, to laugh with them, to play on the floor.  It can be a challenge to get everything done but I want to be present when they are with me.  Truly present for at least a small moment in each of their days.

All of the other piles just may have to wait because right now I have a pile of boys worth my full attention!

2013 It All Starts Now!

Blogging has become an abandoned discipline in my life over the past few years.  When I glance above to the header of this blog it jumps out to be in a very visual way at how much change has happened in those little boys' faces.  Lots of growing up has occurred and while I am so so thankful I have been there through it all, unfortunately, the blog hasn't.  However, I am going to hold back from pouring out all of my justifications, regrets, and remorse.  Bottom line is this: writing is good for me. Writing about the most precious thing to me - my family - is good for my heart.  Reflecting and recording and remembering are good for my soul.  Capturing a photograph that allows me to recall that very moment much later in time are important to me.  So, it is my goal to reestablish this priority in my life.  On this first day of 2013 I commit to take time for me - to do something that refreshes me - to reinvest time in my blog.  For me.  I am quite certain I will not regret it.  I have, after all, regretted not doing it.  So there you have it!  Enough said!  Let the re-blogging begin! I look ahead in anticipation to the funny, crazy, and special times that lie in wait to be captured and posted for my own good.  There is no doubt in my mind that this simple practice will make me a better person because it is me giving attention to something I love. I am excited. It all starts now....