It's Almost Spring...

I saw this on my friend's blog and though I'm a bit late...I figure better late than never, right?! So, I'm jumping in...

Go HERE for more information.

Pictures to come!!

ME Time Myth

Bear with me...this post is a bit long, but Tuesday at my MOMS Group at church, we were given an article to read and I think it is worth sharing.

The "Me Time" Myth

By Amy Roberts

I once heard a talk show host give a very compelling argument for why moms need time away. He said mothers give and give to the point of empty. They must refuel themselves so they can continue to give.

It sounded quite reasonable to me. Then why did my search for this hallowed “me time” always leave me feeling as though I needed more? While taking time for myself, I definitely felt refreshed, but the moment I got home and realized the sink was still full of dirty dishes and I would still have to give baths to all the children before the night would be over, I wanted to head right back out the door.

This left me feeling sorry for myself. Why couldn’t I have one night where I wouldn’t have to do the same things I do every night? Why couldn’t I come home to a spotless and trouble-free place where dishes were washed and children were in bed? Why did I have to go back to my duties so soon? To punish those who were making my life difficult, I would loudly sling dishes and be curt and hurried with everyone until I could get children into bed and escape to the sewing room or the computer for the remainder of the evening.

The next morning, feeling dissatisfied with the amount of me time from the evening prior, I would take my coffee, sit at the computer, and completely ignore my daily duties. I would get irritated with the children because their antics were cutting into my time. I was stressed and edgy and desperate for more. My children would call out for me and I would answer, “She’s not here right now.”

Then, I began staying up much too late in order to squeeze in more alone time. I dreaded going to bed because it meant waking up to children’s needs and a disaster of a house.

I became increasingly upset by my husband’s time off from work, along with the business lunches and the business trips. To compensate for the perceived unfairness of the situation, I chose to do nothing on weekends: no laundry, no dishes, no parenting. Soon, my weekends were spilling over both ends and into the weekdays. All of this only served to overwhelm me even more and feed into my desire to escape.

In a moment of clarity, as only the Lord can offer, I saw my behavior for what it truly was: selfishness. Along with this epiphany came the conviction to quit seeking Me Time.

Me Time is a myth. It is an unattainable, always interruptible, never satisfying piece of junk psychology. Me Time, by its very name, suggests that who we are during the daily grind is not who we truly are. It begs us to search for fulfillment outside of the titles of “wife” and “mother.” It accuses precious little ones and God-given spouses for suppressing us. It reduces motherhood to a disease in which little dirty faces and endless monotonous tasks slowly suck the life out of us. It says we can never be refreshed by spending time in the presence of those we care for day in and day out. It points out a perceived hole in our world that needs to be filled, a tank that must be refueled, a monster that will swallow us if we neglect to feed it Me Time.

The more we indulge the thought that we are somehow owed this time away, the more we will seek after it. The more we seek after it, the more every little opportunity afforded us to take a break will seemingly end too quickly. The everyday life of being a mother will become drudgery. We will dread every aspect of this role. We will snap at our children any time they try to draw us out of our precious time alone. Not getting this time will ruin our day, and if we do manage some time away, we will despise the re-entry.

However, with any lie, there is a certain amount of truth hidden within. There is an emptiness within us that needs to be filled, but only God can fill what you are aching for.

“The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” Lamentations 3:24–25

Our time away should be spent seeking Him. Anything else we try to fill that emptiness with will fall miserably short. Likewise, the company we seek during our time away should be spent with people who are about the business of edifying and strengthening us in our role as wife and mother, not tearing at the very foundation of our home. We will never gain anything but resentment from the counsel of those who encourage us to seek self.

We must cease to see the role of wife and mother as a job we put aside at the end of the day. We must do our daily tasks cheerfully, as unto the Lord. We must learn to enjoy being home with our families. We must find contentment in serving others. We should spend more time drinking in the beauty of our children, searching their eyes, holding their hands, being Mom. When we do feel neglected or overworked, we must immediately seek the Lord to refresh us and keep us from sin.

There will be days when we are afforded opportunities to do things alone or with other women, but if we are content in our God-given role, we will no longer cling so tightly to these moments as the only way to save our sanity. Our need for Me Time will fade as we begin to see motherhood as a blessing not to be escaped, but embraced.

Published on January 26, 2009

I have really been challenged in the way that I think about quite a few things as I read this article. I know that our children are gifts from God and I truly desire to see them that way. I can so relate with Amy as I'm sure all moms can. Let me know what you think of this article!!

Slippers, Leg Warmers & Cards

Hello lovely people! I know it's been so so long since I've updated what's been going on. And to be honest, it's been a whole lot of not much :-) But I'm kind of okay with that. We have been getting lots and lots of snow the past couple weeks. (I say lots and lots, but really it's only been a few times getting a few inches, which is a lot for Indiana) However, it's been enough that Morgan has only had preschool 2 times in the last two weeks. She is starting to miss being at school! She did however manage to have a little girl time with a school friend yesterday who gave her these "GEMS". I can't believe that leg warmers are actually back....and Morgan loves them.

I must admit...she does wear them well ;-)

We've also been playing a new game from Christmas. I love that Jaron and Morgan can both play this game. It's the kids version of Phase10. Morgan and Jaron have been playing so so well together lately. I absolutely love hearing them in the next room being creative. They have come up with some great plays for me. So fun. If I could figure out how to get videos on here, you would laugh hysterically at some of the things those two come up with. I love being their mommy. They never cease to amaze me.

Don't you adore those tiny, chubby hands?! He had the nickname "Rolls" when he was a baby because he had so many rolls...now they are disappearing, and my baby is growing into quite the little boy.

And yes, I do believe that my little man most definitely must be cold blooded. The moment we walk in the door, he strips off his socks and shirt...while Morgan and I search for our slippers. I love this little boy so much. He makes me smile so many times every day. His new thing that just melts my heart is that whenever we are apart (even if it is just for an hour...or even a nap) he will find me and say, "Mommy, I missed you!" Then I get the biggest hug. He is definitely all boy, but I love that he has a soft snuggly side too!

I'll leave you with this...a thought for all of us moms who feel like all we do just doesn't always seem to make a huge difference:

"I don't do big things, I do small things with BIG LOVE."

-Mother Teresa

freedom

"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM."

2 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV

Horses

When we first arrived for lunch, the kids saw the horses and couldn't stop talking about them. They wanted to take a carriage ride, but it was a bit pricey and VERY cold! So we opted for just petting them ;-)

On our way to see the horses...Morgan knew the way!

They were so BIG!

And beautiful.

Frankenmuth, MI

We headed up to Michigan this past weekend to celebrate Christmas with the Reimenschneiders! Our first stop was for lunch with the group at Zehnder's in Frankenmuth.

Morgan and Jaron with our waitress.

SANTA!

This is the new way Jaron likes to wear his coat. Too funny - what he doesn't realize is that I kind of like the zipper in the back...he can't get it off without help! ;-)

Morgan with her candy cane from Santa - if you look close, you can see the lipstick marks from Aunt Becca on her cheek ;-)

LOVE these three!!

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours!