Not an Apology

As I was wrapping a belated Christmas present to put in box to send to my in-laws yesterday, I was kind of beating myself up about all the things I've let slide lately. After all, here I was packing up a Christmas present when it's almost February! Lately I've let posts on my blog slide when just a few years ago I was posting every weekday. My house is not as clean as I'd like it to be, my shops not updated often enough, too many projects are sitting half finished, so may unorganized rooms, so many books half-read, so many friendships left unmaintained. And then I stopped myself.

I realized that I am a lot busier than I was a few years ago. Not only do I have another baby, who is still very much dependent on mama, but I'm also working a part-time job on the weekends, in addition to maintaining a household with a husband who works full time and goes to school. I stopped being irritated with myself and started being proud of myself. I'm doing it, I'm living life, and while stuff may not get done in a timely manner all the time, dishes may not be done every day, sewing projects are in various states of completion, bathrooms are only occasionally scrubbed, my kids are happy, my family is fed and life is being lived.

So blog posts will be sporadic, shop updates even more so. Projects will be eventually finished. Christmas presents will be sent out when it's almost February. My craft room will be a disaster. My yard will be abysmal. Books will sit half-finished for weeks and months. Life is being lived, kids are being played with, date nights are actually happening occasionally, babies are sleeping through the night, shows are being watched together, games are being played, kids are being listened to. I'm doing the best that I can and I'm actually doing pretty darn well. And I write this to say, you're doing the best you can, and even though it doesn't seem like it sometimes, even though it may feel like you're being a flake, you're not, you're doing great.

I'm adjusting my expectations of myself and being pretty darn proud of the result. I used to think if I was proud of myself, then I would be prideful. However, I'm realizing that a certain amount of pride in one's life is necessary for happiness, and pride doesn't automatically mean arrogance, as I used to assume it would. That's how I'm being kinder to myself this year. And you should be proud of yourself too.

So stuff is sporadic around here, and I appreciate you guys sticking around and taking what I can give you. I love you all!

Be blessed.