perfection

one of the many things i struggle with is getting things done... i've mentioned it before, though, so that's not anything new... what's interesting is that i've really never been a good "get it done" sort of person... it's probably because i put too much on my plate, and i set myself up for failure without really meaning to do so... likewise, when i make "to do" lists, i never put everything that i need to do on the list... for example, you'll never see things like vacuum, laundry, dishes, mopping, walk the dogs, or pay the bills on my to-do list... and, of course, all of those things get done without me writing it on a slip of paper. :) well, sweet Hannah's arrival has really made me feel like a failure when it comes to getting things done... it takes me forever to do something that shouldn't take 10 minutes, it seems... writing a thank you note, for example, has been a challenge... :) filling out a sympathy card for a friend took me 2 days... really?! 2 days... vacuuming the floor...my brain and eyes (and the bottom of Katherine's socks! :( ) realize it needs to be done, but it takes me a few days to actually GET to do it... sweeping the kitchen floor, which is littered with who knows what...it's been on the list for more than a week...and swiffering it (it really needs to be mopped, but i settled for swiffering it this time! :)) took me a few days, too... i'm not a peticular housekeeper, trust me...my house is lived in, without a doubt. it's not at all neat and tidy. but when me, my 2 dogs, husband, and 2 1/2 year old could probably invite a few cows in from the pasture behind our house, and they'd feel at home, i know i have things i NEED to do... :) while i don't EVER claim to desire perfection, i guess, deep down, completing the things on a "to-do" list would mean i did what i was supposed to do... i don't know if i'd call it perfection, but...if we stretched the term perfection a bit, perhaps it would fit? most people tell me to not worry about things like this... i understand the message, but it doesn't always go into the depths of my brain for true realization. the best advice i got was from another very special teacher i know, Cora... she's the momma to 3 children, the youngest who just turned 18, i believe... and she's one of those people who you could just sit in a room with and soak her in...her quiet, peaceful nature is so soothing, and she's so incredible...a genius, without a doubt...and so wise... her message really hit home... it had the words and message that i needed to hear...and it also helped me realize that i was expecting a little too much of myself... when i was questioning and shouting accolades up about how moms and dads to multiple children do it, her response soothed this soul... :) maybe it will hit home for you, too... Part of the secret is to let perfectionism go. I used to be kind of a perfectionist, if anyone who knows me now can believe that. After two [children], I released many of my perfectionist tendencies. After three, I shredded whatever perfectionist tendencies remained, burned 'em in a bonfire and danced around it maniacally . . . then drank a toast to (in)sanity (either way, it's all good) and survival. Here's to your sanity and survival. Here's to embracing the insanity when it happens b/c sometimes fond memories are actually forged in insanity. . . and here's to no more worrying about pj's past noon! ♥ Hug your girls. Some day they will understand how lucky they are that God made you their momma. In the mean time, don't forget to save a hug or two for yourself every now and then. :-) ♥