Finding a Balance

It's quiet.  The boys are in bed and the only thing I hear is the humming of the fan next to me.  It's a great time to reflect and think.  Over the past few years, I've had a hard time finding a good balance.  You see, I tend to spread myself too thin.  Realistically, I work 2 jobs between ultrasound and blogging, and that doesn't include the job of a mom which is another full time job.  Then I find myself immersed in hobbies like exercising, or wasting time on Facebook and other social media websites.  A few weeks ago, I told Marshall I needed to set some goals.  I've never been good at prioritizing, keeping my house clean, spending enough time with my boys.  I've always been good at saving things until the last minute and being lazy.  I definitely dislike it when I look back on a day and feel failure because I didn't get anything accomplished and the boys watched too much TV.

So, as part of goal setting, I needed to find a balance.  I downloaded an app on our computer and my phone called Wunderlist, and I started making lists.  I have a list of daily housework, a list of weekly housework, and a list of blog posts.  Then I started scheduling things out on the calendar.  I realized how quickly the boys were going to be out of school and was determined to do a lot of fun things with them.  So I'm making lists and being structured.  This is a BIG thing for me.

Over the last 2 weeks, my laundry has been caught up every day, my kitchen clean for the most part, the rest of the house in pretty good order.  I've given myself allotted times to blog and social network,  time to exercise and time to be with my boys.  I've created a calendar of what we will do each day of the week all summer long, made quiet themed boxes for them and planned hour by hour.  I've spent more time playing, coloring, snuggling and being active with my boys.  It's a great feeling.

I know a new baby is going to throw the balance off a little bit when she comes, but for now I'll call this a little victory.