Friday, January 06, 2012

Life is Good.


A few from one of the shoots I just finished up...

Life's been busy. I feel like I say that every time I take a minute to write anything on here, so I'm sure it's getting old. I know it's busy for everyone. But I find balancing everything to be getting trickier and trickier for me.

Maybe it's just hitting me hard right now since I'm still trying to get through the last few pre-Christmas shoots. And I'm finding it hard to fit anything extra into a day besides the essential. And I haven't quite put photography into the essentials category.

What me-time things should be sacrificed because that's what you do as a mom? And which ones are worth prioritizing for your sanity and health? I'm sure it's different for everyone? But I think sometimes it's too easy to say "you need that! It's important that you take care of yourself!" ... to others.... or yourself--- the whole world tells you that. And I think it's totally true. But I also thing too much of that thinking can be dangerous. And unfair to your children. I'm trying to find the balance.

This is sounding familiar.... I just remembered I blogged a quote that touches on this...

ok ... so I just found it from this old post.

"Selfishness in any form or degree weakens the bonds that hold families together. The rise of selfishness in our society is the fundamental underlying trend that undermines families and makes successful marriages so difficult."

So I know I need some excercise, and some grown-up time, some hobby time, and some study time, some time for cooking, and cleaning, and organizing, some time for maintaining relationships, time to serve in my church calling, and serve in general, time to be CREATIVE, and be inspired (this is how I make pinterest sound less petty).... time for Ross, time for friends, time to be ALL ALONE..... and yet before there's time for most of this....

Time for my kids. Time to play with them, read to them, make food for them (which could consume almost my whole day if I let it... they are my children and love to eat), time to help THEM be creative, time to photograph them, time to kindly discipline them and teach them, time to bathe them and snuggle them and make memories with them and and take them to the park-- time for fits (this can really put a wrench in any time-table I think I've got)...time for homework and chores, and friends and sight words, and teeth-brushing, and scripture reading--- time for comforting and bandaging and rocking and tickling and apologizing --- time for forgiving... ...... BREATH......

Is it even possible that there could ever be enough time in a day? And then you see (or read) women who truly seem to do it all. And maybe that's where I'm an idiot. I know better than to compare myself to super-women. Some women are just insanely super. Maybe they need less sleep, or work way more efficiently, or don't waste time on the computer, or got hit by a giant meteor, or have just been blessed. And I'm happy for them and grateful to them--- they help us to strive a little harder.

I'm like 90% happy for them--- 10% hoping they're actually secret hoarders.
Ok maybe like 80/20.

SO--- my main and all-encompassing resolution for 2012 is to find a happy balance in my life with all of the extras... so that I can focus more energy on being a fabulous mom.

Another quote I believe firmly:

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." J. E. McCullough, Home: The Savior of Civilization [1924]

Here we go.

10 comments:

HMB said...

you have a beautiful gift...keep sharing!

Unknown said...

Amen Sister! I feel your pain and Happiness :)

Beautiful pics by the way. You are SUPER talented!

Courtney said...

I know, it's crazy hard to keep it all balanced. But I know some women that seem to have it all in control, and I'm telling ya...they don't! Nobody does. Some people just have the outward stuff in control...the stuff other people see. I think that if you are really truly concerned about balancing your life (even though it's hard) then you are doing just fine. Because it's important to you. It shows that you care in the first place. And even though you can't do it all, at least you are making a conscience effort to try. And that's what's going to pay off. If you didn't care, then that would be a problem.

Skidmore Seven said...

you just took all the thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head the last few days and put them together. good luck finding a happy balance that works for you and your family...and once you figure it all out please tell the rest of us how to do it!

Unknown said...

I feel this same way lately. Struggling to find a balance, if it's even possible. But I think as mother's society is really hard on us and therefore we are really hard on ourselves. I am going to try not to let this get to me. I think we need to give ourselves more credit. Think about what you DID do at the end of the day, rather than what you DIDNT do. Like yesterday I might not have finished that one last load of laundry but that was because Leo wanted me to snuggle him after his bath and sing "baby mine" softly into his little ears. That moment is so much more important than that laundry...or pinterest. :) Think of it this way- when the kids are gone, will you say to yourself, "I wish I took more time for myself." No, never. There will be time to be "selfish" later. Thanks for blogging your thoughts. It's nice to know that I am not alone in my struggle. Don't worry about being supermom, just be super-Lillie.

Jennifer said...

This is exactly what I've been struggling with and as my kids have become teenagers (can you believe it?) it is getting even harder. I'm so glad i don't have to go to work and I have those few hours in the school day just to have Emma to myself and get ready for the chaos that ensues when everyone gets home. I find that having my meals planned out and being really disciplined about my workout routine and scriptures, etc, works for me, but everyone has to figure out what works for them. We just spent a week in Utah at my in-laws and they don't have internet, plus I get no phone service up there in the mountaints... it was an amazing time to regroup and just be with my family because frankly there were no distractions! (although I agree with you there needs to be a balance. I would go crazy with my phone and internet!LOL)

Jennifer said...

I just read this today and thought I'd share. Fun read and a good reminder to not feel guilty if you have hard days. ;)

http://momastery.com/blog/2012/01/04/2011-lesson-2-dont-carpe-diem/

Jaime said...

I am going through the same thing! I have a 15 month old and kist started back doing photography. Booked 8 shoots right before Christmas then I felt consumed in work. We didn't put up the tree until the week of Christmas. I try to juggle my job, being a mom, photography, time with the hubby... my house is a wreck! I think the "Super mom's" are secretly lying and have a chef and a maid. Actually I am convinced that is the case!

Lindsay Griffeth said...

You manage to come through with a post like this every time I need to read it! You're right - I'm always wondering how I'm supposed to fit it all in.

But the kiddos . . . especially right now because they're with us so much . . . are the priority. Thanks for the reminder.

S.A.S. said...

Ha that YOU'RE the one writing this post, because you're the one that makes me feel like I need to do more! I don't know how you have THREE kids, cook delicious/healthy meals, beautifully decorate your home (including photoshop room options when redecorating), exercise, run a photography business, edit all of your photos, blog, love Ross, see friends (including trips to Hawaii)... I die. I tell myself you're living a 48 hour day and I've been robbed with only 24. You need to teach lessons, not be worrying about how to fit more in. Miss/love you!