Project 52:8 | Messy

Project 52:8

Motherhood is:

Messy.

One glance in the opposite direction and 

BAM

an unpleasant surprise most certainly awaits.

Thankfully, most are uncomplicated or

require minimal cleanup.

Just keep your second pair of eyes on alert.

The next innocent mishap lies moments away. 

Some days motherhood is just messy.

 It's just been one of those weeks. You know, the one that's just messy?

Every room I walked into this week looked like a disaster. I never seemed to be able to check anything off my to-do list. Showers were rarer than normal. Something always interrupted nap time and woke up the kids. We ran late for everything . . . except bedtime. HA! Elam's bottles always came out of the dishwasher at feeding time instead of the cabinet. I put off blog work until the very last minute. We ate hot dogs, frozen pizza and mac & cheese more than we should have. I would wake in the middle of the night to look for a text update on my niece in the hospital. Sadie had a hard time listening and Elam's quick grip caught plenty of items just in time for a good spill.

Have you ever had a messy week?

I'm ready for the weekend and a fresh start with renewed motivation. 

Don't get me wrong, there were bright moments in our week. Our struggles and mishaps were minor in comparison to so many. And every evening as I kissed the kids goodnight, my heart smiled, knowing that my blessings truly overflow. 

Weeks like this are bound to happen. I'm just thankful they are few and far between.

Project 52:7 | Motivated

Project 52:7

Motherhood is:

Motivated
by small but powerful moments 
engraved in our memory.
Recollections of impromptu humor, 
unselfish generosity, childlike faith 
or a simple smile to melt the heart.
~ We live for every moment. ~
And from time to time they're captured in a photograph 
for all to enjoy. 

Although these sights tend to occur in sparse intervals at our home, they are cherished moments. It appears the gift of a younger sibling is excellent training for the art of sharing. I am quite certain my almost 3 (going on 10) year old would agree that learning to share is really not very fun. 

Every so often she decides that helping her little brother is more profitable than running away with his toy. In a short time he'll learn to fend for himself. Until then . . . the training continues.

After all, I believe a child's first classroom is the home. And I'm quite certain there were days when managing thirty students was easier than managing two! 

But I wouldn't trade this hands-on, non-stop job for the world. 

One snapshot like that above motivates any mama to keep training .  .  . 

just to catch a glimpse of the next little triumph.

By the way, this photo put a big smile on a proud daddy's face! 

Project 52:6 | Maintaining

Project 52:6

Motherhood is:

Maintaining

consistency in the daily routine. 

It takes discipline . . .

to nurture friendships, marriage & the soul.

Unfortunately, it's not always easy 

to sustain enough energy & sanity. 

Just keep going.

One day we will wish little hands still kept us so busy.

 In the meantime,

 simply maintain. 

This Daily Docket keeps me sane and is probably the most useful tool in my Home Management Notebook. It helps me stay organized and motivated throughout the day. I created my own based off of Tsh Oxenreider's book, Organized Simplicity. You can find Tsh's Daily Docket on her blog (which is packed full of great info). For me, mine didn't need any of the "extras" and I wanted to get as many days possible on one piece of paper. It's not perfect and I may tweak it later, but works great for now. 

In a nutshell, the to-do list is essential. The first three items listed are considered my Most Important Tasks (MITs) for the day and are primary. An additional seven spaces gives me plenty of room to add items that I would like to accomplish. I rarely put more than five ~ they just don't get done. Items left unattended get bumped to the next day. Then I list any appointments we might have and the menu for the evening. This prevents a last minute scramble before dinnertime.   

There have been days I did not complete my Daily Docket. For the most part, it was somewhat relaxing. But at the end of the day I sat and wondered what I had actually accomplished. So on days I plan to rest and catch my breath . . . that's exactly what I put on my to-do list! After a nap and shower, I mark them off and rest knowing I accomplished my goals for the day!

So do you keep a Home Management Notebook or something similar? 

If not, what system helps you keep up with housework and your family's crazy schedule while staying sane at the same time? 

Project 52:5 | Management

Project 52:5

Motherhood is:

Management
at its finest.
Credentials include skilled cleaner, master chef,
expert disciplinarian, budget maker, grocery shopper,
 compassionate medic and loving caregiver.
-with the ability to multitask all of the above-
Motherhood is a business
with mommy as the general manager.
For a well managed home
is a happy home.

Okay, I told you I might get crafty. Most of you are probably thinking, "Where's the craft?". If you know me you know I'm not into scrapbooking. I don't have the patience to print off all of my photos, choose from fifty different paper colors, stickers and embellishments, arrange and glue them - only to decide - I don't like the look of my page. I just can't do it! It stresses me out! Digital photo books via Shutterfly are my preferred photo keepsake method. So the craftiness on the front (and back) of this binder is huge for me. 

And you're thinking the cake pops . . . they are darling and a little crafty. Well, I can't take credit for those tasty creations. My wonderful mother came to visit and the cake pops were just one of her and Sadie's many endeavors. 

So I've started this silly "Home Management Notebook."  I first read about the idea in the book, Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider. (It was a FREE download for the Kindle app on the iPad! Check it out, it's a good read.) I'm sure this notebook idea has been around forever, but it had never crossed my mind. As I was reading through the chapter I thought, "Nope, I don't need a notebook. It's just one more undertaking that will be disregarded in a week or two. Plus, I have cool iPhone apps that will accomplish the same thing." Though I did stay open to the idea - and for some reason - I changed my mind the next day. I got the notebook, made it pretty like she suggested and starting organizing the sections.  

My notebook is fairly simple. I want it to be helpful and not overwhelming. I tend to do better with fewer options. This little notebook is quickly becoming one of my best friends. It contains my daily to-do lists, weekly menus, the monthly budget and a few other odds and ends.  My favorite section is the "Daily Docket." The "Daily Docket" organizes my day and helps me to focus on the most important tasks I want to accomplish, any appointments or scheduled items and the menu for dinner. 

Next week I'll go into greater detail about the "Daily Docket" and how this notebook helps me stay motivated throughout the day and better manage our home. 

For now, I need to load the dryer and taste test one more cake pop 

before the conclusion of nap time. 

Until next week  . . .

Project 52:4 | Extravagant

Project 52:4

 Motherhood is: 

Extravagant

in so many ways.

Whether it be expensive, excessive or eccentric

a dull moment shall never exist. 

It is more precious than gold and profits in 

hugs, kisses, slobbers & spit-up,

untidy counters & cluttered floors,

pompous attitudes & tender communion.

Unlike any other

Motherhood is a grandiose profession. 

This precious firstborn cherub is inching closer and closer to the age of three.  As all parents have experienced, so many blessings come as children mature and develop their own personalities and preferences. In many ways Sadie has been a very easy child to raise thus far. But, as of late, her behavior -more often than not- exhibits an "I'm getting older and I think I'm smarter than you." attitude! 

Needless to say, this doesn't settle too well at our house. My challenge lies in learning to parent her extravagant attitude and strong will. I am so thankful she is a determined little girl, but sheesh, sometimes I feel I need a parenting instruction manual! Something that says: "This comment deserves time-out." or "That attitude earns a swat." or "This behavior needs a heart to heart talk."  

And I do love to have heart to heart talks. Some are deep and others lighthearted. Today after her nap we were looking out the window and 

the following conversation transpired: 

~    ~    ~

"Mama, I think storm clouds are coming." (And she was correct.) Me: "Well, what happens when storm clouds come?" Sadie: "I think thunder and lightning and rain come." Me: "Do you like storm clouds?" Sadie: "I don't like thunder and lightning but I like the rain the best. I like them in the morning but I don't like them during the night." Me: "Why do you not like them at night?" Sadie: "They scare me in the night but they don't scare me in the morning." Then we both smile and share a hug.

~    ~    ~ 

Or we have conversations that go something like this: 

"Sadie, your shoes are on the wrong feet." Sadie: "No, they are NOT." or 

"Sadie, your panties are not on correctly." Sadie: "Yes, they ARE." or  

"Sadie, can I help you put your crown on the right way?" (as she wears it like a backwards ball cap) Sadie: "This IS the RIGHT WAY." 

Oh, when will she realize that moma knows best?!?

~    ~    ~

And you know it's the constant stage of "Why? Why? Why?". Some conversations are so intriguing and others SO frustrating!

Isn't motherhood extravagant! I wouldn't have it any other way.

~    ~    ~    ~    ~ 

On another note, maybe you did or did not notice all my motherhood words began with an "E" this month. Honestly, it wasn't completely intentional, but I sort of like the idea. So my new challenge for the coming months is to somehow tie each post together in some way.  

Coming up . . . maybe a little craftiness. (Emphasize the maybe!) So stay tuned!

Project 52:3 | Energized

52:3

Motherhood is:

Energized

at the twinkling of his bright blue eyes.

It is a reciprocal & unceasing love.

His warm cuddles & contagious smile

impart vitality to invigorate the day.

There is just something about

a mommy and her baby boy.

So it's true. I was a skeptic before my journey into the mommyhood of snips and snails, but there is something special about a mommy and her baby boy. This little guy is my snuggler. I cherish every single cuddle. Poke a camera in his face and he gives the biggest smile every time. I just love it!

Elam is his name. Ever met anyone with this first name? Me neither. Let's just say that baby naming is a chore for me. Just ask my husband who says I have too many rules when it comes to naming a child.  I say it's the curse of a teacher . . .  So I found this name in a baby book a teacher friend let me borrow. Liked the look and the sound of the name, but the meaning is what caught my attention. The book read, Elam: God centered; distinctive. I tucked it away and tried to keep an open mind for I knew my husband had a name already decided. 

LOUIE. Yep, after his paternal grandfather. This little guy would be the last one to carry on the family name. Could I refuse? Grrrr!

It was a few days after his arrival, late into the night before we left the hospital and we knew our baby boy must have a name. Finally, our compromise: I choose the first name; he chooses the middle. And so it was.   

Elam Louie.

And it fits his adorable face perfectly.

Project 52:2 Equipping

52:2

Motherhood is:

Equipping

your most prized possessions

to stand in the rain

or walk or run or jump

-even in January-

 for laughter and learning will abound,

but adversity is certain to follow.

Equip them well.

Truthfully, I had no intentions of going deep with such a simple photo. It just happened.  Substance seemed to surface the longer I looked at her firm stance and the vibrant colors of this picture.  Equipped with her rain wear, she stood outside absorbing the rain ready to run and jump.

 I know I'm guilty of not always living every second to the fullest or finding teachable moments in everyday circumstances, but I'm going to try to do a little better each day.  Hopefully I am instilling in them strong character, a positive attitude, kindness in their hearts and determination to overcome obstacles. And as they encounter the "muddy puddles" in life may my children always remember the verse they are memorizing this month at church,  "With God, all things are possible." Mark 10:27 

For on the days when rain puddles turn to mud puddles they shall maneuver the journey of life with confidence and resolve.