Checking In/Checking Out

What a fantastic week in Florida! We arrived home yesterday, and already I am packing up the car again...the kids and I head out to NC tomorrow morning for some time with Maggie, (my mom) my sister, Krista, and a few very good friends. I am really looking forward to the time spent there, not necessarily the drive, however, in which I will be flying solo!

Any last minute advice, suggestions, etc...?

I'll post some FL/Disney pictures in the next few days...

Hope you're all enjoying summer!

Cheers, Kate

The Prettiest Dogs on the Block!

Although I hated to indulge her, I admit that I hesitantly stood by for a few moments while Juliana sucked poor Sophie and Kamilah (our dogs) into her world of dress up yesterday...

"But Mama," she said so sweetly, "they'll be the prettiest dogs on the block!"

First Steps on the Road Toward Simplifying Life

After my last post about the possibility of transforming chaos into simplicity, I felt like I needed to take a break from blogging while I tried to gain some perspective on things. Also, My mom, who just returned from working overseas for the past two months, was here for 9 wonderful days, visiting and helping to make my life a little less stressful, and a whole lot more enjoyable!

I have been so touched by the amount of responses that I have received both here, via e-mail, and snail mail (thanks Gwen!). It has really been amazing to receive so much fantastic advice, encouragement, and support. Letting my heart hang out all over the page as I did was cathartic, and truthfully, a wonderful way to allow other's to see that they're not alone in these struggles. I can't tell you how many amazing, real, and honest mothers told me that they too, are lost in their own personal chaos, continually searching for real advice, manageable solutions, and of course, faithful support while enduring these every day struggles.

As my new friend, Kayla wrote, "every mother I know struggles in this way, but I flip through magazines and the articles are telling me how to lose weight, make better cupcakes, and keep my husband from wandering :) Please! Blogging about the real struggle is part of the revolution, and a way we can take back our narrative."

Kayla, you are so right on the money! It is sad that we hold ourselves up to this unattainable standard, well at least I know I do. And It's not that I feel like I need to lower my expectations, I am realizing that in order to succeed, I just need to change them.

So I will.

I recently discovered a fantastic web site, called Simplemom.net. The site focuses on creating productivity, and simplicity for moms, who are most often also home managers.

When I first glanced at the main content areas, I swear I nearly cried with relief! Finally, I had found a one stop resource offering wonderful, and might I also add, realistic, solutions for my growing list of dilemmas!

Topics found on Simple Mom include:

• Green and Frugal
• Your Haven
• Organizing
• Productivity
• Taking care of yourself
• Money management
• Food and drink
• Relationships

Additionally, while browsing the site, I stumbled across this amazing article, How to Live a Better Story, that spoke volumes about many of the core issues with which I have been struggling.

It's definitely worth taking a few moments to check out this site...it just might help simplify things for you as well.

Just checking in to let you know that I am actually doing well!

We've had company visiting for the last week and I've been enjoying some time being preoccupied with them!

I'll update soon. Hope your week has been great!