Are ya going crazy yet?

Hello Fellow Bloggers!

The kiddies are in school and a routine is starting to emerge once again. If your experience is like mine, time sneaks up on you. One minute everything is moving at an even pace, and then whoosh, a big wind threatens to toss us into a week from Tuesday. Or maybe it's just me?

It's nice to get everything back to normal, whatever normal happens to be, but for some reason, I am caught off guard every Fall for what I know is coming. Silly, isn't it? It's not anything earth shattering, a few stops here and there to Target, the local dollor stores, Walgreens, and office stores, and of course school shopping, but I'm sure there are people who prepare for the insanity better than I do. With me, it's one day I have some free time and then I don't. No in between...no getting prepared...whammy, it just smacks me in the side of the head. Where did the day go?

Well, I might not be any more prepared today than I was seventeen years ago when my daughter first started school, but I have learned a few things a long the way to help ease the anxiety:

1. Know your limits. If you have children, Fall gets crazy fast, for many, without any warning, or for some, like myself, who are in denial until the last minute. Try not to take on more than absolutely necessary. Some can handle extra, fine. Go for it. Just as long as you know you can handle it with everything else that is in the schedule. Otherwise, there is a two letter word that many women still don't know how to use. What is it? "NO."

2. Don't panic. It all rushes on us like a big wave, but remember, for most of us, it's not our first time. We have done it before, we can do it again. If this is your first year, enjoy it. Keep a positive attitude and 'try' to find some humor when you have just purchased an expensive notebook that your child decides not to use--right away, they say, and know it will not be used. The worst part of this? You did the same thing the year before. Any more grays pop out?

3. Find an outlet of expression. This time is usually about everyone else but you...your thoughts and cares are pushed aside and it becomes your goal to make sure the family is situated between children starting school, getting physicals/dentist appts out of the way and then of course any other extracurricular activities and sports. Try to sneak time in for your devotions, prayer, other interests and hobbies...whatever they are. Get creative to find a few minutes here and there to remember your individuality. You can do it.

4. This is number four, but mark it number one. Because after all of the above, you'll need it. Remember to soak in the bathtub. I mean it. Don't laugh and say, 'yeah, right.' Do it. Come home and wash off the worries of the world. Put a nice soothing soy candle in the room with you with the light off...oh yeah, that is relaxation. Anyone asks something through the door, and you need the time to be alone, say just that. "I need some time. I'll be out in ten minutes." There, that wasn't too hard, was it? Ten minutes with epsom salts in your bathtub, and you'll be refreshed for whatever else comes your way. Well, almost. Oh and I have a glass of wine with mine, shh...don't tell anyone.

5. Try to remember you and spouse are a couple that still need to have a few minutes of alone time amongst the crazy schedules. A quick lunch alone, maybe? A massage? There are many ways to show support during this busy time. It makes everything so much easier when Mom & Dad are happy and getting along.

6. This one is the most important. Don't be too hard on yourself when you forget the above and freak out, lose your patience and stomp up & down because you bought the wrong color notebook or forgot to pay a bill or forgot to wash your son's special shirt. We all do it. It happens. I'm not all convinced it's a bad thing for our kids to see. We're not perfect, but we are thankful to our Lord that we have another day to work on it once again.

As always, somehow, someway, find joy in your journey! And I am reading my own list as a reminder as I struggle for my sanity. And reminding myself and other fellow bloggers that above all, God is good and will take care of all of us!

God bless!