I just wanted to chime in and say I have been there, too. I AM there, for goodness sake! I think getting married so soon after college (the week after graduation!!) and having 4 babies in the next six years after our wedding was a recipe for discontentment in this area. It is almost blasphemy to say this I know because there are so many millions of women who would die for a child, but what I mean is that I know how hard it can be, on the other hand, to just wish for a few moments to myself. Eric is so gracious to give me “mornings off” every now and then and just take the kids to the library sometimes (I’m sure Evan is awesome about this!), so that helps. The problem is for the first thirty minutes I’m always running around the house like a frantic rabbit thinking, “QUICK! What do I do first?!!!!”

I listened to a woman speak on cd from a conference where she said the childbearing years were the years to put away your sewing machine and needles and carpe diem for motherhood’s duties and delights. Well, that statement haunts me several times a week during 2-4 pm as I look around and see hundreds of things I probably need to be doing but just want to run in a closet and make something!!! That desire to be creative is so strong in me, especially since I never really knew how to sew, knit, quilt, etc. until adulthood. It also makes me want to teach my kids stuff like this as they grow older. I, too, wish Lydia and Meredith will one day sit and knit, sew, and cook alongside me! Every time I try (she is almost 5), I see that it is still too early or she just has the perfectionist plague like I do. :)

Anyway, I’m rambling, but I certainly don’t feel like I am good at disciplining myself in this area so much yet, but I am learning and growing. I used to always think to myself at the sound of a cry, “Oh, just one more row,” or “Maybe I can press one more seam really quick…” and now I am learning more to put it down when duty calls and smile. It’s hard! I’ve read 2 awesome books that have helped me lately with this - 1) Homeschooling with a Gentle and Quiet Spirit, and 2) The Practice of the Presence of God.

You are a fantastic mommy, wife, and crafty lady!! I enjoy your blog so much! :) Tell E hello for me!