I don't know how you do it!

I get this a lot.

"Jamie, wow! I just don't know how you do it all!?"

And I smile politely and say, "Oh, thanks."  Cause, how am I supposed to respond to that?

Sometimes, I giggle and say, "Not well, but I try."

Recently this "I don't know how you do it all" clause was flung my way at a speech and debate tournament.  A fellow coach asked, "Didn't you just have a baby?!"  I told her yes - about 6 months ago. To which, she responded with the title of this blog post.   

Well, it got me thinking.  How do I do this?!  And if you've come here looking for the "How to do it all for dummies handbook", I'll just tell you now, I don't have it.  Really, most days it's simply survival.

I try to live by this (major emphasis on TRY)...  1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Some days, I'm better at this than others.  Right now, I feel like I'm going through a "just trying to keep my head above water" season.  I hate that, but it is my current reality. 

I get up between 4:30am - 5:30am - because that's when Hannah thinks it's time to start the day - even on the weekend :-(  Now, I used to get up at 5am or 5:30am before Hannah was ever in the picture to do my quiet time, so it's not THAT big of a deal, but 30 minutes of sleep IS a big deal to me these days.  Anyway, it's an early start to my day.  And even with getting up that early, I'm usually so out of it and dealing with Hannah that I don't get my devotional in.  These days it's a quick one via my phone and some singing and praying on the way to work, but it's not really the nice quiet time I used to have with my Lord.  I'm sure that's why I feel the way I do these days - sucked dry of all life.  Having a regular quality time with Jesus does WONDERS for person - if you don't have one, try it!
You'll see ;-)

Anyway, that's how my day starts.  Then I get ready for work, I get Beth ready for school, and we all head out the door.  I teach. High school.  Teenagers.  Need I say more?  I coach, speech and debate, and spend at least one weekend a month away from my family at a tournament.  And recently, I teach an after school course for teenagers trying to make up credit for English classes they'll need to graduate.

By the time I get home, get everyone fed and into the bed, I'm ready to sleep.  In fact, now is that time. 

I just needed to type this out though.  And see, I haven't really even answered the question.

I'm too tired to think anymore.  Maybe later I'll try again.  Until then, from one mommy to another, it's true - sleep when they sleep.

Out.


Oh, one more thing... I need to see this movie. What do you think?

6 months and 5 years

Time just keeps ticking away, and my girls just keep growing.

Hannah is now 6 months old as of Jan. 8th!

She is so sweet, and she smiles like there is no tomorrow!  Generally, she's a happy baby.  And if she's not happy, then she's hungry, wet, lonely, or just plain wants a nap.  Pretty easy girl to figure out.  Lovin her to pieces. :-)

My Beth Grace will be five on Jan. 16.  Wow... five years have passed.  It's just amazing how she's grown into such a smart, self assured, independent, happy child.  She amazes me each day with the observations she makes.  And right now, she's looking forward to her Chuck E. Cheese birthday party.  It's this Saturday. I'll be sure to post pics.

But for now, here is my five year old princess.

Happy birthdays my girls!
((hugz))

defense

Hannah is sleeping soundly.  That's good.  She's been fighting a nasty cold that got the best of her on Friday night when she got a temp of 103.3.  After I finally got the pediatrician to give me the antibiotics, complete with breathing treatments, that I KNEW last Tuesday she was going to need - that's a story for another post - she has since been on the mend.

I'm home from church today with Hannah.  Michael took Beth to church.  And so, it's quiet now.  And I'm reflective.

I've been sooo tired and worn out lately, and that doesn't make for a happy mommy.  How do we fix this?  Well, Michael and I talked about him finding a different job.  A job closer to home.  A job where he'd be done by 5:00 and home by 5:30 instead of 7 or 7:30 at night.  I think just having him home with me to help with the kids and the house those two hours would work wonders for me - physically, mentally, emotionally.

My zone defense sucks.  Translation: It's hard to keep both girls happy at the same time - especially when Hannah starts going down hill around 6pm.  So - to continue with the basketball analogy - if we could play man on man defense with the kids in the afternoon, I think I'd be in a better place right now.

So, pray! PRAY! 

Pray, first, the hubby gets more self-motivation to get out there and hit the pavement for this new job I'm sure God has for him out there.  Then pray that it reveals itself quickly!  Because by the end of the day, my back is killing me and all I want to do is sleep - and eat.  Which, eat is not a good thing given the last 10 pregnancy pounds I'm desperately trying to shed. 

And thank you for the prayers - even if it's just a really quick one right now as you finish reading this post.

((hugz))

Quick Update on New Year's Resolutions/Goals:

1. Lose weight with Lose It! - I've lost close to four pounds in two weeks using this app on my new cool phone, so this is going well.
2. Make extra money easily - My new love is ebay!  I sold a package of 9 plain white onesies that Hannah had never work for $18!  I'm totally addicted to this, and I can't wait to sell more stuff at our church consignment sale. And if it doesn't sell there, it's all going on ebay! ;-)
3. Stay in balance - I really need my quiet time to get more consistent. However, with a baby who thinks 4am is the time to get up for the day, it's hard.  Please pray she at least sleeps until 6am.  PLEASE!