running on empty

The last few weeks have been a bit crazy for me.

They're always crazy, but its been more than usual. ha ha

I've started a handful of new violin students, 

and have been working on a new website thing

(more info on that in a while...) 

So I've been feeling spread a little thin

and I have been taking it out on my girls and Trevor.

I've been making an extra effort over the last little bit to find some ways 

to stay extra positive and keep my energy up.

Here are a few things that have worked for me when I've felt like I don't 

have anything left to give...

1. Dance. 

We turn on the music loud and we dance. 

It always gives me a little burst of energy 

and brings some fun in! 

My girls love to dance and it always helps me 

re-focus and perk up a bit. 

2. Sleep.

 I'm not always the best at this... 

but I've really been trying extra hard to get more sleep.

My girls are usually up around 7, so if I'm in bed around 

10:30 the night before, that's usually good for me. 

I tend to need lots of sleep, and when I get the rest 

I need, everything seems better.

3. Reading. 

I love to read, but I often go through phases

when I don't pick up a book for weeks.

But then, I'll pick up a bunch and stay up too late reading. haha

I've changed my reading habits a little, and I try to spend 20-30 minutes

a day reading something just for me. 

Its really helped me de-stress and enjoy being part of a different world for a bit.

4. Exercise. 

Because of my chronic cough, this is tricky for me to do. 

But now I'm starting to feel a little better again, 

so I've been putting it back in my routine. 

Even a little walk, or dancing with my girls goes a long way!

5. Prayer.

My personal prayers help a lot. 

I feel the Lord strengthening me and helping me 

through the harder parts of my day.

Whenever I'm having an extra hard day, 

I try to find a few minutes to go pray again. 

It helps. 

It reminds me that my children are the most important. 

6. Create. 

I need to be creative almost every day. 

It isn't always something big for me, but I love to crochet, 

and doing a few rows or squares is usually enough for me. 

But after all the feeding, cleaning, and kid-related things I do all day,

I need to find a few minutes to do something creative!

7. Simple Service.

When I am at the very end of my rope with my kids and all the chaos I have going on, 

I make an effort to do something for someone else. 

Because my schedule is already really thin, 

I can't do too much, but I do what I can.

Sometimes, I just send off a text or email to someone

or a quick phone call. 

I have found that spending a few minutes focusing on 

someone who isn't in my family can really help me re-group! 

I have found, in the almost 4 years of being a mom, that it is the most

draining, exhausting, and demanding job ever.

Moms are on-call 24-7 and I get really drained physically 

and emotionally. 

These things really help me feel invigorated and build up 

my energy and help my attitude!

It doesn't hurt that they are SUPER cute!!!!

I'd love to know what other moms or dads do when they are running on empty.

So, what do you do? 

on having 2 kids

Well, Hayley is 6 months tomorrow. 

(WHAT!!?! How is this happening.) 

So, now I'm basically an expert on having 2 kids, right? haha

I'm far from an expert, but I have learned a few things that I thought 

I'd just write some words in my corner of the internet in case someone else needs it. 

Passing it forward, I guess. 

Let's say, you just brought a new little burrito baby into the world. 

Now what? 

Talk about intimidating, even when its not your first time.

Here are my little tips that can help with the adjustment, 

because, let's face it, its a HUGE adjustment for EVERYONE in your family: 

#1. Start. Just start. I was so worried about bringing Piper home and having 

the 4 of us home. I was afraid to balance it all and just plain scared. 

But you never know until you start. 

I remember so many times that I felt completely overwhelmed, 

but then there were even more times when I felt like it was working.

Just start. You can do it!

#2. This one is all about kid 1. You just changed that child's life. 

Completely.

All of the sudden there's a new little person in the house.

A little person that needs Mom for EVERYTHING. 

It took me some time to implement, but I finally realized just how much
Piper needed to feel like she was still important.

I started making sure that I put her to bed alone every night.

I would hug her and tell her that she was so important to me

and that she was my favorite Piper and other things like that. 

It didn't seem like much, and sometimes the baby was alone, 

screaming in her crib, 

but it made the world of difference for her. 

Find a way to make some special time for your first child. 

Seems easy, but don't forget. 

#3. Make time for you. 

This is the hard one. Really hard. 

Especially when that little newborn is up ALL night. 

But once you can, take the time. 

Alone. 

It is what saves my life some days. 

#4. Let go. 

Just let it go. 

It can be so hard to let things fall to the side, 

but if it doesn't matter, let it go. 

Seriously. 

And enjoy that new baby.

It goes SO fast! 

#5. Freezer meals.

or Costco. 

This doesn't need any explanation. haha

#6. Let your kids develop a relationship. 

Its the absolute BEST when they interact together. 

Piper has been SO in love with Hayley from the beginning. 

And she LOVES it when Hayley "talks" back to her and 

laughs and all that. 

And it makes my mommy heart explode! 

Piper is a bit older... well, she's 3, but I don't worry about her

doing anything bad with the baby 

because she follows the rules, at least when Hayley is concerned.

So, I often will put Hayley down in the living room and let Piper play with her 

while I make dinner or something. 

#7. HAVE FUN! 

And laugh about it. 

I spend MANY nights alone while Trevor works late. 

All the madness tends to always happen at the SAME time.

I have chosen to not let it stress me out anymore

and to just take things as they come. 

And to have fun! 

Of course, things are very stressful at times, 

but I really do try! Ha ha!

I've heard from many that it takes a year to really adjust to having more kids, 

but this is a start and not to toot my own horn or anything, but 

I think its going pretty well. 

They are both happy and thriving and we have lots of fun together. 

And that's whats important to me! 

And lastly... Our little trip to St. George helped a bunch. 

It was SO fun to do and kinda pushed the re-set button for us. 

If you can, once your baby is old enough, a weekend with a 

change of scenery can go a long way :)