Making it Work:

Or being a Mom.

That's the phrase that keeps running through my head as of late. We all have our share of life challenges unique to our circumstances. With each new phase I know we will face many different challenges that will implore us to use new strengths and new resources. The point is, whether you are home with your babies, working away from them, sending them to college, or empty nesting, life as a mom is just that: LIFE happening and MOM trying to head to advice of Tim Gunn and Project Runway, and just MAKE LIFE WORK.

But this is my blog ;) and thus I operate from a life perspective of our unique challenges. I work, a stressful, busy job, that keeps me away from my girl from 7:40 to 5:30. We live in a metro city, thus requiring morning and evening quality time with thousands of unknown city mates (or rather with their cars) and extending the time we spend away from our humble abode. I have taken some extra work on that I try to accomplish during the slumbering hours of the rest of my crew.

And my parenting partner in crime is as busy as imaginable. The boy has completed dental school, and now medical school (YAY!), taken four sets of boards, and works the ridiculous hours that only medical residents can somehow keep up. He spends long hours away and when he is home, is faced with the busi-ness that makes up a home with two working owners. G goes into work at an unmentionable hour, is on call several times a week, and has LONG days. And he's called to a profession requiring 6 years of specialized training following 8 years of school.

So our daily lives within the aforementioned setting can get stressful. Mornings are usually just me and the lil' C. Getting the two of us put together and out the door in the morning can get, well it can get INTERESTING. And arriving home after 6 every day and attempting to prepare dinner, feed bathe and slumber the little, all while attempting to both parent and love on the lil C (and sometimes her dad) can also be INTERESTING.

They aren't great challenges, but they are my challenges. And every moment, every day, I'm just trying to MAKE IT WORK in a way that I hope is positive and purposeful. So I know this post seems 'complain-y' and that is likely because it is. But this is where I'm at right now because it's been one of those weeks riddled with illnesses, work projects, board tests, and house maintenance that has dragged on to a months worth of weeks.

And I'm trying to learn from it and create something within the midst of what seems to be a chaotic mess.

And what I'm learning is this:

When Caris needs an extra snuggle, she gets that extra snuggle. Because she's little and sweet and loves her momma and deserves that from me. And when I get those precious times with my little girl snuggled by my side, I stop and savor that moment. Because those moments are what we have. And when she's big and moody and annoyed at her momma, we will still have those moments tucked away in our hearts.

And when Caris needs a few minutes in the morning and get herself ready for the day, we allow them. Even if that means I show up late and work through lunch. Because we are busy and so is life, and we all need a moment from time to time. And I sense that the harriedness gets to the little. And I vote that 16 months is a little too young to feel stressed. And it seems allowing the moments make for a much better morning routine.

That when Caris would rather play with her parents than have us make an elaborate dinner, I should head the call. Because I believe in the value of PLAYING and in spending family time void of the pressures of HAVE to's. And we all know at the end of a hectic day, we could use a little downtime with the ones we love (and I'm sure the little's day spent with 11 other littles can be hectic!) So we play. And then turn chores into play.

And for the times my girl needs some extra slumber, she gets the extra slumber. Because I value providing good sleep. And because she works hard and is tired and never wants to miss a thing. And however we can get the treasured slumber, we take it. But when mom needs the little up for an early meeting, then we make that work too.

And when mom and dad need a dinner together and a moment together, we need to take it. And time alone to make me, me. Because it makes us the US that created this home, this life, this girl. In all honesty, this is probably one of the areas I struggle with the most. Sincewe have such little time with our girl, both G and myself are hesitant to spend more without the girl. But I'm learning those moments can be an evening on our porch, a run in the neighborhood, or an hour in the study.

And when my home is a little too evidenced of our weeks happenings, I TRY to not let it get the best of me. And when dinner isn't perfect and lunches aren't made, I TRY to find ways that work better. And in the same vane of honesty, these are the areas that my biggest hold-ups remain. (So any tips from the wise on how to keep these together, I will gladly accept!!) Because clutter and mess are not so peaceful, but neither is constant stress and cleaning! (can someone resolve that conundrum for me??) And I mean, I washed my iron with a load of clothes this week. So clearly my house-wifery skills are at an all time high. That, my friends, is multi-tasking.

And when I need to use my blog as a sounding board and write a 'complain-y' post, well I guess I do that too :) thanks for listening.

But every once in a while, I give myself a break from myself imposed strife to keep it all together and instead just focus on trying to MAKE it WORK within that which is seemingly apart. In the end, I just want to make a life that is peaceful and happy for my family. Because whatever the circumstances, we have precious MOMENTS. With our girl, each other, families, and life. And I want to love each moment as it comes. And when I decide what we value and focus on those, it's much easier to see clearly when those moments happen amd making things work doesn't so much seem like work anymore.

And how could it be otherwise when my moments look like this?

Here's to much needed break. A FULL WEEK with my sweet Caris, her dad, and no work. Here's to VACATION!!!