2 steps forwards....3 steps back

Do you ever feel like sometimes that you're ahead? Like woah, the house looks amazing! I can sit and relax!! The kids are peacefully sleeping and I can read my kindle? ....And then you wake up!

I swear lately, I have been moving backwards in direction. I will get something off your list accomplished for the day and then BAM, I look around and thing, REALLY, did I get something done or was I just dreaming?

I am a notorious list maker. There, I said it. I love making To Do Lists. I feel good when I cross something off my list. It is not unheard of for me to put something on my list, just to cross it off -----> my dirty secret :P These days, I feel like my list is getting longer and longer and no matter what I cross off, I swear "something" keeps adding to my list. Then by the end of the day, I am so bummed that I didn't get anything "done" for the day. Mind you, when I say nothing done, I fail to remind myself about all the other things that I do not deem "list worthy"...like cooking and creating meals, grocery shopping, homeschooling, playtime, etc.

Why is that we mothers sometimes forget to include those daily life activities on our To Do List? Like those things aren't work. Not work in a bad way, but something needs to be done to help the family function. As if those things are not important at all, when in reality, they are probably MORE important than having a clean toilet or laundry being finished. In hindsight, creating funtime with my kids or teaching them phonics & singing are things that will be remembered years to come NOT whether or not the lunch crumbs were swept up immediately after lunch.

Sometimes I need to remind myself to PUT DOWN the To Do List. Focus on whats important to you: Clean(er) House or Connection between mom & child? For me, I chose my kids. Hands down, no questions asked. I am not saying my house is a disaster zone because lets face it, my husband and his slight OCD'ness wouldn't allow that, but thats the awesome thing, he HELPS! But, my house is not showroom clean. Its lived in; comfortable; a place you can put your feet up and no one would mind.

So in other words, sometimes I just need a reminder that the chores will get done, eventually, but my kids, they won't stay this age forever. I need to cherish these times together, while they still want to be around me and think I am cool.

We had SO much fun at the farm. I knew what was "waiting" for me when I got home, but this was SO worth it! Look how happy they are!