Trying to keep up...Don't dance so fast!

Sometimes I feel like I'm on top of the world. I feel like I'm succeeding in my most important roles as wife and mother when my house is clean, the laundry is all folded and put away, I'm helping the Mr. by taking care of things he doesn't have time for, I'm spending quality one-on-one time with each child every day and do learning lessons and activities with them daily, and educational field trips weekly, I'm fixing healthy and tasty meals for my family, I'm perfectly organized and caught up in all of my meal planning, coupon clipping, church calling, service organization, etc responsibilities, my to-do list is completely crossed off, I'm exercising daily, my children never watch TV, I never lose my temper, and, occasionally, I work part-time to bring in income.

Other days, or, recently, weeks, I feel as though the world is caving in on me. No matter how much time I spend cleaning and straightening the house, there is ALWAYS more to do. Before I'm finished folding clean laundry, the dirty hampers are full. It's half an hour before dinnertime and I'm looking through the fridge trying to find something half-way edible to through together for dinner because I can't remember the last time I planned my meals, or even went grocery shopping for that matter. I put Wiggles down for a nap and before I'm even done putting the other two down, she's awake again. I try to take a shower but some catastrophe pulls me out before the shampoo's even rinsed from my hair. I try rising before my children for some peace/quiet/meditation in the morning, but no matter how early I'm up, at least one of them always decides to join me! I find myself snapping at my children, sometimes for very small infractions. As soon as I cross one thing off my to-do list, I have 5 more things to add.Once in a while I even let my kids watch SuperWhy just to be able to 'do my duty' or shave my legs in peace.

Would I trade my life? Never. Not even for a moment. Do the "goods" outweigh the "bads"? A million times over. But lately I'm just wishing I could get back on top of my game. I blame my 'being behind' on our recent big move - but let's be honest, we've been moved in for 2 weeks now. Life must go on! Besides, we'll probably be moving again in just 10 short months, so I can't let moving spin my life out of control.

So, this quote really hit home when I read it today.

"You can have the utmost assurance that your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All he asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. You will feel at some times, perhaps at many times, that you cannot do all you feel you must...The forces arrayed against you will try not only to frustrate your work but to bring you down...Your obedience to the commandments, your desire to do His will, and your asking in faith will determine how clearly the Master can guide you by answers to your prayers...He chose you..The Lord knows you...He has prepared a way so that He could issue your call." (Elder Henry B. Eyring, Oct 2002)

Forgive the lengthiness of this post, but I love these 2 poems/thoughts as well:
(Author unknown, and I apologize for the plagery - wish I had put it into words so well!)

Some houses try to hide the fact
that children shelter there;
Ours boasts it quite openly...
the signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
little smudges on the door;
I guess I should apologize
for the toys strewn on the floor,
But I sat down with the children
we played, laughed and read,
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
their eyes will shine instead.
For when I'm forced to choose
the one job or the other
It's good to be a housewife
but I'd rather be a mother!


Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain lapping on the gruond?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
Or gazed at the un into the fading night?
You'd better slow down - don't dance so fast!
Time is short; the music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?" do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chore running through your head?
You'd better slow down - don't dance so fast!
Time is short; the music won't last.

Ever told your child "We'll do it tomorrow"
And, in your haste, not seen his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
'Cause you never had time to call and say "hi"?
You'd better slow down - don't dance so fast!
Time is short; the music won't last.

When you run so fast to getsomewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day
It's like an unopened gift thrown away..
Life's not a race - please, take it slower;
Hear the music before the song is over!