and could use prayer. Our schedule is absolutely non-stop. I cannot keep up this pace. Please....pray for us!!!!
That's a really familiar concept, Krista, so I hope for you that you find a way to enjoy or at least tolerate the busy-ness!~ Praying for your family!
Between a high schooler, a middle schooler and an elementary child who have activities and classes and coops. A MIL who has numerous doctors appointments, hair appointments, grocery shopping (and doesn't drive anymore), and a husband who travels a lot and feels like he's never home....and when he is home he's grumpy because the house is in such disarray, I'm ready to throw int he towel. Doesn't help that sickness has had a firm grip on the house (and me, namely) for at least the last 6 weeks. Can't even get enough rest in order to get better. I know God is there. I know I'm not alone. But I feel so unbelievably overwhelmed. Thanks for listening to me complain!!!!
Oh, yeah! REAL familiar!!! Enough so that two weekends ago, I was kidnapped by my husband and taken to a State Park lodge. I mean, he had me in the car with my bags packed, and I didn't realize we were going. I thought we were going to his mom's, who needed me for something.
I know the feeling. I have told my kids that our family has to come first. We stopped all of the extra stuff we were doing. Life is enough for us right now. I pray that you come up with some way to change things. It makes it hard when we have to do it all ourselves, and everybody needs to sacrifice not just you. I am not getting on you or your family, but I drove myself to hard and spent two weeks in bed because of it. Don't let that happen to you. With the addition of your MIL and her needs you were already spread thin, now make sure that it isn't to thin. Your health will get worse, and your kids will suffer because of it. So please take time to rest, even if it means missing practices, schedules, events, field trips etc. My husband works from home, but he works so much there isn't any way he can help me. So I understand how that is, and how frustrating it can be for your husband. Are you still remodeling your garage for your MIL too?
Thankfully, MIL's apartment is finished. And she's all moved in and settled. I did underestimate how much having her here would interfere with our schooling. She's been having way too many appointments. Thankfully, most of my kids subjects are independent, but History we are woefully behind! I'd like to say it's a little better. We have a slightly less busy week this week. My husband is traveling all week, but we only have a few "out of the house" things....and my house is FINALLY clean. Hoping and praying we can keep it that way....it had been SIX MONTHS. Which, I find sad. I'm not lazy....just overworked! Thanks for praying. It means a lot to know I'm not the only one, also. I mean. I DO KNOW I'm not the only one. LOL
My aunt closed on her condo this past Friday. EVERLYTHING out of it is now either at the Assisted Living apartment, or sold in auction. So that means we won't have to be running up there during the week. Hopefully things will settle down here, too!
MIL's house is EMPTY! YAY! And all of the stuff she is keeping is settled in her apartment here. Also, her house is one the market and will hopefully be under contract by Friday. We hope! Thankfully, we've been told that her next appt with the eye surgeon who did her cataracts SHOULD be her last, he'll give her a script and she should be able to get glasses and we won't have to run to him once a week - an hour away - . My oldest's schedule is quite intense as well. First year high school is kicking her bottom. But she's getting a little bit more into a groove now. It's the other two who aren't as flexible. I keep praying for hubby's travel schedule to slow down, and that when he is home that his schedule is more predicable. We origingally thought that the days he would work from home would be the same ones that my oldest has classes, so the youngers could stay home and do work. That has not worked out as planned. Yet. But he says he is hopeful that by Jan 1st it will be more set and more consistent. I hope. I pray. It will make my life A LOT easier!!!! Another thing that would help is my youngest's gymnastics schedule. If she moves up one more level, she'll have a different practice time, and it will allow me to handle everything without having to rely on my husband or others to give them rides. We'll see. Anyway.... Jackie - praying for YOU, too!!! It's a hard thing to go thru....
Thanks, Krista. Back at ya!!! We actually moved her right up the road from where we live, as compared to 35-45 minute drive to where her condo was. Figured that would be easier for me, and also for her brother who doesn't have a car and only lives about five minutes away. And he can take the bus to visit her. But now, I'm having second thoughts, lol! Before, I could tell her I could only come once a week, because it was so far. Not any more!!!
Oh Krista when I read your title I thought wow someone is going to join me. I lost my mind along time.. So, I been told by many..
Well, the oldest is on antibiotics now. And the other two are very sick. We have a volleyball tournament ALL day tomorrow. Middle son is missing it b/c he's too sick to even stand up. He feels awful about it and is very mad we won't let him go. Ugh. I'm done. Stick a fork in me. Seriously.
kbabe....sometimes the best thing you can learn for your own sanity, and the welfare of those around you....is two things: The word "No." and the phrase, "You'll have to help me." In human history, I am not aware of any kids who have ever died from cutting back on activities, or any old woman who ever died of not having their hair done. The husband, the high schooler, the middle schooler and the mother in law (if she's physically able) are all good sources of recruitment for HELP. Life is not a One-Woman show...where that one woman kills herself while everyone else gets catered to. If hubby is cranky coming home to a dirty house...I have a suggestion for him. Novel idea...he can get off his butt and clean it! Your work for the family.....that has been running you ragged all week.... is no less important than his, and no less of a contribution. Here's what works at my house: Every night we set a timer and have a 20 minute family clean. For anyone who is too oblivious to figure out something to do on their own...there is a chore board of things that need to be done. (scrub bathtub, clean litterpan, clean refrigerator, vacuum TV room, sweep porch, do a load of towels and sheets, mop kitchen floor) Five people cleaning for 20 minutes gets about as much work done as one person cleaning for two hours. It makes a HUGE difference. It won't get everything done, but it will lighten the load SIGNIFICANTLY. With the older kids, trade chores for privileges. The older one wants to be driven somewhere? They can help with the youngest one's homework and bath a couple nights a week. The little one wants to go to dance lessons? She can help grandma make dinner once a week. Network the responsibility. Take a stand with your family. If you're drowning and they're not noticing...MAKE MORE NOISE Good luck!
Thanks for the suggestions, Somer. The children are quite able-bodied, as is the husband. The MIL, not-so-much. She never even leaves the little apartment we built her except for the grocery store and the hairdresser, and doctors appointments. LOL We did have a serious sit-down with the kids (and hubby) and just let them know that not only can I NOT do it all by myself, I should not be expected to, and that they were all old enough to pitch in and do their fair share. I'm thinking if we did a 15 minute tidy-up every day, and kept things under control, then had one day of dusting/vac/cleaning - it'd all be fairly easy. We're a work in progress right now. The hardest part is the kids are sick and just NOT getting better. The oldest especially. I feel a cold coming on myself, although, I'm hoping & praying it's just allergies.
