Mothers Who Know Do Less

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world"- Julie B. Beck

I saw this quote on Pinterest a few days ago and it really hit home for me.

I always am trying to balance it all, juggling and constantly dropping the ball in one area or another.

You know what I did today? I woke up, took a shower, fed myself and the boys, ran to Brady's doctor appointment. Came home and put Brady down for his nap, made my meal plan and grocery list, paid all our bills, somewhere in there I gave Ryan a snack. Brady woke up, fed him and then made lunch for all of us and we ate. Then we left to go grocery shopping and came home with a cranky baby. Tried to put Brady down for a nap, but he wasn't having it! Screamed for 1 1/2 hours before finally falling asleep. Worked for about 1 hour of that screaming. Finally started getting dinner ready. Played with Ryan and worked while it cooked. We ate, Jared came home, I went to the store really quick, came home gave baths and put the boys to bed. What a day! And it's pretty much like this everyday right?

I did this all with going to bed at 1:30 am, being woken up by a screaming baby at 2:30, again at 5:30, and then Ryan woke up for the day at 7:30 am.

I feel terrible. And do I feel like I got so much stuff done today? No because my house is a complete mess, toys are EVERYWHERE, clean and dirty laundry is everywhere, dishes haven't been done in two days (although, they are rinsed off ready to go in the dishwasher on the counter, I just need to EMPTY the dang thing first), I really should clean my bathrooms since it has been a very long time since I have done that and I have a standing up potty trained boy. I also have all my decorations from New Beginnings on my work desk, just waiting to be taken down the basement.

Now I am not saying that I failed, I just look at the house and it doesn't make me feel like, "Yay! What a wonderful day. I got so much done." So inside I feel like I didn't do enough.

And I don't know why it should ever make me feel like that. I wish I could look at this mess and say, "What a fun day we had!" And feel good that I didn't choose to do it all. That I played with Ryan instead of folding laundry. And if I want to do those things, to involve him and teach him. That's what this mom thing is all about!

I need to work on that. :)

Anyway! What I am trying to say is I look at others saying "How do they do it all?" Keep clean houses, play with their kids all the time, keep themselves looking so cute, doing their callings, doing great service, writing craft blogs, etc. Well they don't. Either they don't choose to do it all, or if they do choose to do it all, they are letting the ball drop in different areas every day.

Now which sounds less stressful? Choosing to do less or ball dropping?

Choosing to do less for the win!

I have realized this over the last couple weeks and am in the process of making my life easier. Hopefully. And it may take some time and energy before it switches over, but I can't wait! And it would be really nice if Brady just started sleeping through the night during that time. :)

I choose to do less. I will not feel guilty about not doing it all any more. I want to be available to raise my children well. I want them to have my focus. This will also give me quality "me" time, which is so important for a mother. My "me" time isn't great right now, and I know I will feel better when it is.

I just wanted to share this quote with you. I wanted it written down so I can look back and be reminded of it if my life starts going crazy again.

There is nothing more important to me than my family and this gospel. I know that as I choose to do less, we will be blessed.

The full talk can be found here.