Corin!
Corin is living life in the midst of preschoolers (three of them) and it is evident from her words that she has not lost sight of the challenges we mothers of preschoolers face. She has learned how to worship God through sleepless nights, unpredictable days, and even unproductivity.
It can be frustrating to a mother with young children to read the advice of mothers who have forgotten the ins and outs of everyday life with little people; they often clearly don't recall how a mother of preschoolers is "on" every minute of her day. She is needed in a hundred different directions and hearing the still, small voice of God can seem impossible.
So take much encouragement in what Corin has to share, and Corin- congratulations!
♥
I've struggled a lot with finding time to study Gods word. I've tried getting up early. I hear so many people talk about how wonderful their morning devotions are, and the benefits of starting off their day in God's Word. I don't doubt them, but for me it just didn't work. I'm not a morning person, and doing it in the morning didn't let my brain comprehend what I was reading. So I tried doing it at night, but fell asleep too often.
I tried cramming it all in a few times per week, to ponder over the rest of the week. That didn't work out too well either!
I tried reading my bible while nursing. That worked with my first and I read my bible, in short sections, several times a day. When #2 came along and I had to keep an eye on an 18 month old, while having difficulties with nursing the baby, that went right out the window. I was sure that I'd only be able to do any bible studying in short bursts again. Maybe once a day, maybe once a week, who knows? I grabbed my bible, when I could, on days that everything was going fairly calmly.
About 18 months later #3 joined us. How on earth was I going to find the time now?!?!? Reading while I nursed wasn't going to work with an 18 month old and a 3 year old around. Not that they were bad behaved, but to ask them to sit, quietly enough for me to really concentrate, for 30 minutes every 2-3 hours seemed a bit much to me. Every spare moment seemed to be filled! People at the grocery store asked how I even got a chance to shower! I bought CD bible set to listen to as I folded laundry, drove in the car and did other quiet, mindless, tasks. That was alright, but didn't work out as well as I'd hoped. I'm a visual learner, and when my eyes are active, my ears just don't comprehend as much and eventually it just blended in with the other background noise.
I had to step back for a few days and look at how I got anything accomplished. Did the cooking still get done each day? Yes (okay, so almost every day ;-) ), did the laundry still get done? How about the housework? All of those things may not have been done perfectly (I had 3 babies ages 3 and under, gimme a break!) but they did usually get done. So when did I find the time to do them? Hmmmmm... good question! I did a little here and a little there all day most days, while supervising play time, answering endless questions, and with at least 1 baby on my hip.
I prayed and took a look at when I did the majority of it. That's when I realized that nap time was my answer. I had 1 12 hours, each and every day, of quiet (assuming they all fell asleep at the same time instead of singing or playing in their beds). That was the time I used to really buckle down and get the housework done.
I didn't have time during naps to get all of the housework and bible reading done. They were both important, but which was really more important? Matched up socks, or time with my Lord? I took half an hour out of my nap time cleaning schedule and changed it to bible instead. I was able to do it every day and still get some housework done and at a time of day my brain was still functioning halfway decently. I left the easier tasks (such as putting away the silverware, dusting the lower parts of the furniture, etc.) undone and began teaching my boys to do them when they woke up from their nap. Doing that meant that the work still got done every day and I didn't have an excuse.
One year later it's still working out well. After lunch I sweep the floors, then read my bible. Usually it's for a little over half an hour. While it still may not get done every single day without question (does anything?), it does get done most days.
I've also changed a few other activities. I used to read a lot of news and commentaries online. I stopped and cleaned out my "favorites" list with 2 requirements: Is it edifying? (YIKES did that cut down a lot!) Does it help me better minister to my family? I belong to a wonderful Christian mothers forum that I used to check several times every day. While it fit both of my requirements wonderfully, it still took up a lot of time. I now check it once a day and you know what? Those posts that I would've read later in the day, then again in the evening, are still there waiting for me the next morning! I realized that doing those few things cut down my computer time from "who knows how long" each day, to about an hour. That gave me time to read books (other than my bible) that would help me stretch and grow spiritually.
My husband also recently signed up for an internet music service. Instead of getting bored with my small selection of praise and worship music and putting in something else instead, I can listen to a random mix, from hundreds of albums during the day without commercials or dj's interrupting. Now I'm learning new worship songs, and it's helping me focus more on Him while getting my work done.
Hopefully this will help someone else out there. Nap time may not work out for everyone. Pray, pray, pray and ask Him to show you how to find the time. The Lord doesn't ask you to take on more than you can handle, so if you can't find the time, then it's likely that you are spending time doing something that He may not have for you to do.
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Now, you all know what a good gleaner I am…
I gleaned the idea to make a yearly list of things I love from my young friend Rebecca. Each year on her birthday, Rebecca makes a list of things she loves- at 25 she listed 25 things, at 26, 26 things, etc.
While relaxing in Whistler with girlfriends, I made my list according to the age I’ll be next birthday:
- Apple crisp a la mode
- The smell of coffee
- Andy’s midday phone calls
- IMing with Smidge
- Chai Tea Lattes
- Bed
- My buckwheat pillow
- Wool slippers
- neck hugs
- Tasha Tudor
- Listerine Pocket Packs
- Fuzz Buzzes (fresh peach drinks my hubby makes)
- Cashmere
- Scharffenberger
- It's It
- Mozart
- Diego Rivera
- The beach
- Dinners on the back porch
- The library reservation program
- Hiring someone to do the ironing
- Sitting in the hammock with the kids
- Fountains
- Valley summer evenings
- drawings
- Knitting with soft yarn
- Dulce de leche
- Summer
- Wimbledon
- Emails from my brother Jeff
- Fly
- Best friends
- Mays in Canada
- freckles
- Milly Molly Mandy
- watching little people I love grow up
It’s just good practice to count our blessings and focus on what makes us smile. Often we mothers of preschoolers get bogged down in the nitty gritty of our days. Pulling our heads up out of the work and responsibility to take a refreshing breath of air can give us a thankful, joyful nudge toward the next days, weeks, months and years.
Remember what it was like to be expecting your first baby?
I have a sweet friend who is expecting her first, and her blog entry yesterday really touched me. It just reminded me that I need to see each of my children in this way:
Yesterday was my third doctor's appointment. Our little baby is growing and healthy. It is so awesome, and reassuring, to hear his (or her) little heartbeat. Thump-thump, thump-thump. . . 156 miraculous beats per minute. God is amazing. Her little heart has been beating for almost as long as I've even known of her existence. And, God already knows the exact number of beats it will beat. Every beat of our tiny child's heart is counted out and each of her days is numbered. God is amazing. I have difficulty grasping the magnitude of the fact that inside me is a tiny eternal being. This baby, measured in ounces and inches, has an infinite number of days ahead of him. God created an everlasting soul. God is, right now, inside of me, wrapping that soul in sinews and skin. God is amazing. Hearing that heart beating so rapidly and strongly is a tangible reminder of the increased responsibility I have to pray for the baby to whom that heart belongs. To pray that she will have a soft and teachable heart. To pray that God would be gracious and cause this little one to seek and love Him early. God can hear and answer those prayers. God is amazing.You cannot become overwhelmed before reading this entry. If you think you might, slowly turn from your computer and walk away. 
My intent is to inspire you, not put more upon you. Certainly you can bend the rules - maybe 20 in 200?
Have you heard of making a 101 in 1001 list? Here are the rules:
The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.
2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.
3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.
4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.
5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.
Sound like something you want to tackle? My friend and pastor's wife Wendy and I embarked upon our lists together and we've had a lot of lively conversation about the items on each other's lists. I'll share mine with you, and then maybe Wendy will share hers, too.
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My intent is to inspire you, not put more upon you. Certainly you can bend the rules - maybe 20 in 200?
Have you heard of making a 101 in 1001 list? Here are the rules:
The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.
2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.
3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.
4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.
5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.
Sound like something you want to tackle? My friend and pastor's wife Wendy and I embarked upon our lists together and we've had a lot of lively conversation about the items on each other's lists. I'll share mine with you, and then maybe Wendy will share hers, too.
Begun 4 March, 2006
1. Complete Quiet Rest series
2. Do not complain verbally during this pregnancy (this was written when I was pregnant- hopefully it will apply again soon)
3. Close my mouth- I don’t always have to be right
4. Watch Raising Godly Children DVDs
Blessing Husband
5. Clean his desk regularly
6. Schedule twice-monthly dates, including surprise lunches
7. Be involved in the hiring process (March 2006- Katrina)
8. Plan romantic nights
9. Trust he’ll accomplish what he’s promised
10. Find a really great lounging chair for him
11. Finish reading Portofino aloud to him
12. Make his favorite meal- shish kebob, pilaf, cucumber salad twice in the summer
13. Take him to Morton’s
14. Book spa weekend in Napa
Blessing Our Children
15. UK with H
16. Williamsburg/DC with boys
17. Visit Adams with Ab and C
18. Teach Ab to Sew
19. Teach C to knit
20. Finish creating cooking course
21. Begin cooking course with H, N, J, and Ab
22. Swim with the kids 3x this summer
23. Keep up with Scripture memorization
24. Teach J to do laundry (March 2006)
25. Put one-on-one dates on the calendar (April 2006)
26. Verbally praise more than verbally correct
27. Have a pool party for Ab’s birthday
28. Soak and massage their feet in the winter
29. Focus on manners
30. Treat them to the LaPalooza at the Ice Cream Company
31. Have a pajama ice cream raid on a summer night
32. Have a poolside movie night
33. Take them for Shamrock Shakes (March 2006)
Being Busy At Home
34. Remodel schoolroom (April 2006)
35. Re-organize books (March 2006)
36. Keep up with summer house list; get help if needed
37. Remodel kitchen (2008)
38. Drip system in veggie boxes (2006)
39. Decks re-done (2006)
40. Plant grass and trees in pasture
41. Can summer bounty (freeze what I can’t get to)
42. Keep scrapbooking updated
43. Find bench for pond
44. Find table and chairs for deck
45. Build arbor for kitchen garden entry
46. Refurnish family room
47. Hold a garage sale; donate money to charity
48. Sort, de-clutter, re-organize craft stuff in laundry room
49. Clear dead plants out of sunroom (March 2006)
50. Get a new box for girls’ clothes and sort
Blessing Our Extended Family
51. Visit Grandpa B as much as possible
52. Anniversary party for Joe and Cookie
53. Encourage Kelly as she begins to homeschool
54. Invite Casey to stay a week or two with us
55. Keep in touch with Rebekah
56. Plan TX trip; visit McDonalds, Pattys, and Hoppers
57. Finish Mom’s wrap
58. Pray faithfully for extended family
Blessing Our Church Family
59. Encourage another mom weekly at church with my words or a card
60. Meet regularly with the women Andy shepherds
61. Joyfully give Andy in service and time to the church body
62. Surprise three families with ice cream in the summer
63. Take children for three families for an overnighter
Growing as a Learning-Teacher
64. War and Peace
65. Create a music history curriculum
66. Continue with classics
67. Finish books in the bedside basket
Growing in the Arts
68. Take the kids to the SF Opera
69. Take the kids to the Brubeck Festival
70. Take the kids to each local museum once
71. Plan and execute another Christmas or Easter program
72. Record again
73. Plan and perform recital
74. See Sara Groves live
Seeing God's Creation
75. Take the kids to the beach by myself each summer for a do-nothing day at Capitola
76. Walk with the kids every day during third trimester
77. Pack picnics and head to the park to sketch the ducks
78. Ice skate in Curry Village
79. Go to Forestiere Underground Gardens
80. View the next lunar eclipse
81. Pull out the telescope and leave it on the deck all summer
82. Book a weekend at Costanoa or Treebones Resort
Completing My Tasks
83. File the “To File” stack, summer 2006
84. Slim in Six after the baby is born, and complete all six weeks
85. Power 90 after SI6
86. Complete all school paperwork by August
87. Get kids’ passports
88. Finish book
89. Publish book
90. Make sure all reviews are in under the three-month mark
91. Complete funeral plans
92. Finish family tree
93. Frame and hang family tree
Managing Our Finances
94. Turn Upromise savings into 529 account
95. Save 4k for UK trip
96. Record spending for two months and come under budget
97. Give $50 each month to some unsuspecting soul (ask God’s guidance)
Miscellaney
98. Go one weekend a month without checking email
99. Take the kids to a UOP basketball game
100. Travel somewhere by train
101. Take care of my nails
I Timothy 2:15 "Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control."
Whenever I speak or write to homeschooling mothers with preschoolers, I try my darndest to communicate that I in no way have my act totally together. I'll elaborate on that some other time.
One of my greatest struggles is pregnancy, which is rather ironic when you consider I'm now in my seventh. The Lord has seen fit to give me the first four months of overwhelming morning sickness, losing everything and all (trying not to be too graphic). He also created me with no waist- really- and so I cannot breathe well during the last trimester, particularly if I am sitting or lying down (which is, um, like, 90% of the day). And then the last two were born at home, which means there is no convenient epidural at my disposal.
Knowing I have about a week left before the sickness takes over, I decided to tackle some less-organized areas in our home this week:
First of all, the laundry system needed an overhaul. Spurred on by this amazing mother of twelve, I've decided to give the boys their own laundry day each to do their own laundry. The almost-13 and almost-11-year-olds have been doing two loads of family laundry every day for awhile now, but I'm thinking that if I don't have to actually think about their laundry, I'll be a lot happier. They can sort it, wash it, dry it, fold it, and put it away. And they won't have a reason to complain when my jammie pants end up in their drawers (another story entirely).
Secondly, I just cannot deal with clutter. Period. It completely overwhelms and stresses me out. So tomorrow we are going to make a room-by-room trek around the house and gather up anything that could be given away to a garage sale friends are having to raise money for their upcoming Liberian adoption. I bet we won't miss any of it.
Next was realizing that when I am suffering from morning sickness, I cannot get out of bed very easily. In the early days, I would gather the little ones (there were 4 under 6 at one point) in my bedroom, pour a big bowl of Cheerios, and let them dine. Hey, the pilgrims used to share a pot of food- if they could, why not my little puritans? At any rate, it was my survival.
But now I have three young gentlemen and a super-duper six-year-old daughter who are happy to run the kitchen during breakfast and lunch. They will be planning the menus, informing me of what ingredients need to be on the week's shopping list, preparing, and serving the meals.
I took my own advice from Melissa's List and have one boy making and freezing cookie dough balls, one boy making up craft items and activities for the little girls, one boy creating easy-to-grab snacks, and one girl making sure all the diaper bags are ready to go. I also paired as many church outfits for the two-year-old as I could; this morning I grabbed the dress, tights, sweater, and shoes that were all packed together on one hanger and it was delightfully easy to get her out the door.
Lastly, it has taken me more than thirteen years to learn to say "yes". When anyone asks if I need help, I say, "YES". A sweet young mom from church showed up this morning with a pan of enchiladas for us to pop into the freezer. I had no problem accepting her generosity and ministry to our family. This is the Body of Christ.