On Feeling Overwhelmed

Lately, I've been feeling a little overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed, because there are 17 million loads of laundry needing to be washed, dried, folded, and put away.  Which means there may (hopefully) be a single pair of clean socks and underwear per person in this house.

Overwhelmed, because the holidays are fast approaching and I have purchased two gifts.  Two.

Overwhelmed, because Jase's nursery currently looks like this.  And not much can be done about all that stuff until the girls room is cleaned out, and even I wasn't brave enough to take a picture of that disaster zone right now.

Overwhelmed, because the girls are rotating the same few outfits because I have yet to switch out their summer clothes with winter clothes and/or purchase what is needed for colder weather.

Overwhelmed, because four of my eight barstools look like this.

Or this.

Overwhelmed, because there isn't a single free afternoon on our calendar for the next two weeks.

Overwhelmed, because my sink looks like this and the dishwasher is full and we are out of dishwashing detergent.

Overwhelmed, because mama is big and pregnant and the last thing I want to do when I get home are any of the above things.

I think as mama's it is especially easy to feel overwhelmed.  (It seems like daddy's can ignore messes much easier....or maybe that's just Justin.  He doesn't seem to notice anything until I mention it!)  Mama's have laundry and dishes and clothes-purchasing and homework duty and sports cheering and it seems to never just slow up so that we can breathe for one tiny second.

But this is life.  And each glorious, overwhelming mess can also give an opportunity to be thankful.

That laundry?  It's because we go and do and play and get dirty with all the fun things.

The holidays?  They're fun!!! Every year, I refuse to stress---gifts can be purchased and delivered via Amazon prime and I will simply enjoy the time spent with my family.  And those red holiday Starbucks cups. :)

That messy nursery?  The pictures are down because we painted, something I've wanted to do for a long time.  The clothes are piled up because (thank goodness!) those still fit the girls from last year, which means less to buy again this year.  That messy nursery is progress toward a room that is going to hold my sweet baby boy in a little over two months.  And that's a big blessing, ya'll.

Those dishes?  We have never had to go without a meal, or worry where money for our food was going to come from.

So when you are feeling overwhelmed with life, just stop.  Take a deep breath.  Look at all those things that are messy or messed up and find the silver lining.  Because I promise you, there is one.