Focus on the Positive!

I have been feeling very inadequate lately.  Feeling like I am juggling (which I am usually pretty good at) and not knowing where I am going or what I've got juggling in the air!  I have always done well under pressure, wait til your under the gun and BUST A MOVE and I've usually done pretty well.  Until now....  So I've been trying to simplify and do things differently, but still I just feel like I am one HUGE slacker!  Not doing awesome at anything in life, just doing okay at all things.  As I thought about this today, today being our "Day of Rest" I contemplated all the things that I need to do, all the things that I didn't do this weekend and all the areas I was lacking in.  Then something moved me....It isn't what I haven't done today, or yesterday, it's what I did do!  I may have piles of laundry left but man I did at least 20 loads this week.  I may have a messy kitchen again, but we had an AWESOME family slumber party on the trampoline last night, looking at star constellations and talking with the little ones!  So this is my post this week, don't focus on what you DIDN'T accomplish but what you DID!  There is always room for improvement.  So here is my, "feel good" list of things I am proud I've accomplished in life!

I am the mother of 5 amazing kids, one of whom is an adult now and although I didn't give birth to the first two I love them as if I had!  At the age of 20 I had an 8 year old and a 4 year old.  Not too many people have that situation at 20.  It wasn't all "ducks and bunnies" as my brother would say :0) Hahaha!  But I have to admit I would do it again!  I love being a mother and I love what they have each taught me and continue to teach me.

I am going to school to earn my degree in Elementary Education.  This is challenging with little kids at home but it is so important to me.  I want my kids to know how much I value education and that they can do anything they set their mind to. Also my GPA is a 3.49 which is pretty good seeing as my procrastination can be...challenging sometimes.

I washed the kitchen floor and the rugs this weekend.  Cleaned my bedroom and put a roast on for Sunday dinner.  Yep it's not a big "pat on the back" but it was good to get it done! :)

I have a pile of yard sale stuff in my bedroom that I have collected to get rid of.  I am trying to dejunk and simplify our home as well so having stuff to sell is making room for more peace of mind and less STUFF.

I married Hank!  Yes that is one of the BEST THINGS I did EVER!  Trust me, we have our share of struggles, but life wouldn't be worth living without him!  He is my best friend and I love him eternally!

I am going to homeschool... this isn't an accomplishment per-say but it is a goal I've always had and now it is a reality.  As the summer winds down I have gone into PANIC mode.  Wondering "is this really what I want to do"  thinking "Maybe I'll just send them off to school and not worry about all the stuff there is to do."  And every so often when I start feeling this way, I read an article or get some quote or saying or talk from somewhere that affirms to me that THIS IS WHAT I NEED TO DO!  Tender mercies!

I graduated from high school with High Honors.  I know that seems silly, but I am really proud of that still to this day.

I went to church today, despite my rush and crazy morning and feeling like that's the last place I wanted to be I did it! And I was sure glad I did!

So from age 20 with an immediate family after saying I do, to now age 30 with 5 kids to love and care for, an amazing husband.  Incredible family and friends and piles of laundry and endless amounts of homework, I am very proud of myself for what I have done.  Proud of who I am and what I have become.  Because through all the bad and all the dumb things I have done in life, I turned out just fine!  I learned from my mistakes and I continue to learn and grow.  Without what I use to be I wouldn't be who I am! My cup runeth over!  What DID you accomplish this week, this year, or this lifetime?  What are you PROUD OF?