the cure to burnout

I wanted to take a little bit to update you all on life. Our life.

The last nine months have been quite the blur and stressful. It seems I was incapable of adjusting to life with one more.  The storm is passing though and I can see things from a different perspective.

Life is still hectic.  Liberty is still feisty and very much a toddler. Justice is mobile, curious little babe and my days are still filled with dirty diapers, snot, occasional spit up and overall insanity.

But, I have finally realized that life is also filled with sweet slobbery kisses and baby's breath.  Snuggles and giggles. Moments that pass us by entirely too quickly. I can attest to the grace of God in this season and His merciful work in my life and in my heart.  The burn-out I found was suffocating me is slowly lifting and I am enjoying my calling as a Mommy and a wife once again.

One thing struck my heart throughout this season though.

Part of my burnout was the fact that I didn't know how to spend time with God in this new, busier season. I attempted to make it look like it did when I mothered one, or when I was newly married or even when I was single, and every single time, I came up short, disillusioned and frustrated (seems I get frustrated a lot, huh?). 

I believe part of having a Mary Heart in our Martha seasons is remembering that God has ordained this season and that time spent with Him will look differently based on our season.  Comparing ourselves to other moms is not helpful in any measure, and comparing ourselves to ourselves in different seasons will only bring disillusionment.

Mommy, be encouraged! Jesus designed you to mother your little arrows at this very moment and He has given you enough grace to draw nearer to Him even during this craziness!  Remember that your quiet time and seeking of His face has no formula.  It doesn't have to be in the morning for an hour, following a Bible reading plan on YouVersion (though praise Jesus for those!).  It can be throughout the days, moments quietly "stolen" between you and your Heavenly Father who desires you.  Connecting with the Lord during these busy seasons has nothing to do with a formula or checklist and everything to do with the posture of our hearts.

Don't get lost in the tools that are meant to usher you to our Father.  Don't get lost in the "have to" and "shoulda, coulda, wouldas" that you forget we love a Merciful God who delights in taking our weakness and demonstrating His strength.  Please Mommy, be encouraged! Jesus is in the midst of your mothering, your dirty diapers and toddler tantrums.  He is in the midst, longing for one single heart glance in His direction.  That is all He needs to draw you near. 

Draw nearer to Him today Mama, and draw strength from a Heavenly God who gives you grace for present trouble and glory for eternity!

Agape,

Goals Nov 20-Nov 26

Yesterday was supposed to be goals day around here. Buuuttttt... well, let's just say it was a busy day and blogging was not on my radar.  Nevertheless, I do want to keep up with it, so here's last week's updates with this week's goals.

Personal

1. Have uninterrupted quiet time with Jesus daily -- I did really well at abiding in Him throughout the day regarding conversations with Him and such, but it wasn't uninterrupted, and it wasn't always quiet. 

2. Exercise 3x this week -- HA! Not even once. Oops. Here's to the reset button.

3. Look into education programs to work on from home I think I found the one I want to pursue, but Caleb and I are still praying about it and whether now is the time for it, or not. 

4. Read two chapters of current book I'm reading

Marriage

1. Have a quiet date night -- Not even close

2. Chat with Hubby on upcoming Christmas holiday and schedule -- Sortaaaa.  Def will do this week, though

3. Sit with him and listen to his heart on Bids that Give (more on this later)

Parenting

1. Have devotional time with kiddies every day -- We had daily worship time, but I wasn't crazy intentional about sitting down and having set-apart, devotions time. Oops. 

2. Print out "Joy Cards" -- I missed my chance. 

3. Make Thanksgiving Chain with them!

4. Plan out Thanksgiving crafts

What our Thanksgiving wall looked like last week

Homemaking

1. Make rice cereal for Justice -- He *hated* it by the way. He is eating some yummy peas and sweet potatoes now though. 

My little guy post pea meal :) 

2. Make special-meal-plan for upcoming week -- I decided with certain events in our life last week, it'd be better to save this for *after* the holidays.

3. Plan Advent activities -- Not even close

4. Keep up with laundry I only have the kids' clothes to wash today :) 

Here is an update on this week's goals.

Personal

1. Finish CARES application (again, more on this later. Lots of exciting changes going on for our family!)

2. Exercise 3x this week

3. Read two more chapters of current book

4. Wake up around 630a every day. 

Marriage

1. Pray together as a couple, several times this week (>2)

2. Talk about Christmas coming up

3. Have a date night

4. Remind him how thankful I am for him

Parenting

1. Talk about intentional thanksgiving that comes from the heart

2. Have special "Mommy & Me" time with each baby

3. Pray, every day, for my babies

Homemaking

1. Menu Plan & Grocery Shop (we've been living off several small grocery trips)

2. Try two new recipes for Thanksgiving

3. Keep up with basic home duties

4. Plan for Advent

What are your goals this week? 

Agape, 

Goal Setting 11-12 thru 11-18

A little while back, I began posting my goals for the week up for accountability purposes.  So, I want to get back to that. It worked for me to have the unknown (and somewhat known) world look into my goal-setting list waiting for progress the following week. 

That said, and keeping it simple, here are this week's goals. 

Personal

1. Have uninterrupted quiet time with Jesus daily

2. Exercise 3x this week

3. Look into education programs to work on from home

4. Read two chapters of current book I'm reading

Marriage

1. Have a quiet date night

2. Chat with Hubby on upcoming Christmas holiday and schedule

3. Sit with him and listen to his heart on Bids that Give (more on this later)

Parenting

1. Have devotional time with kiddies every day

2. Print out "Joy Cards"

3. Make Thanksgiving Chain with them!

4. Plan out Thanksgiving crafts

Homemaking

1. Make rice cereal for Justice

2. Make special-meal-plan for upcoming week

3. Plan Advent activities

4. Keep up with laundry

What are your goals this week?

Agape,