With that said, I've been getting myself back in the routine of normalcy. Not that anything is ever really NORMAL when you have a first-grader, an infant, and a husband who works crazy hours. :-)
While I'm getting back in the groove of the necessary chores like house cleaning, meal prep, laundry and just generally getting more organized, I want to approach another necessity that we often ignore as busy wives and mothers - our health.
My first-grader is off to school, lunch in hand, by 7:45 a.m. The baby is usually waking by the time I return home to prepare her fruit and oatmeal combo. After she is fed and the mess is cleared, the hubs is off to work with his homemade lunch. Then I realize it's approaching lunch time and I still haven't eaten or, worse, I'm on my second or third package of fruit snacks just because it's easier than cooking another meal.
Personally, I struggle with something I'm going to call "the priority complex"- it is more important to me to take care of my family 100% of the time than it is to ever give a thought for myself, because spending time caring for myself would be selfish. But think about this: when you're sitting on the plane and the stewardess is going through her spiel about the oxygen mask, what does she say?
"In case there is a loss in cabin pressure, yellow oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling compartment located above you. To secure, pull the mask towards you, secure the elastic strap to your head, and fasten it so it covers your mouth and nose. Breath normally. Even if the bag does not inflate, please keep in mind that oxygen is flowing. Please make sure to secure your own mask before assisting others."How can we expect to properly care for our families if we're neglecting the care of their caretaker? (Wow, that sounds a lot like woodchuckers chucking wood!) This cycle of neglect breeds illness, obesity and I'd rather not think of anything worse, not to mention low self-esteem because I'm unhappy with who I have become.
I came across a video series taught by the author of the book, "Made to Crave", by Lysa TerKeurst. It has really rocked my way of thinking about food, God, and my relationship with both. I haven't read the book yet, but based on these videos, I'm urging you to check into it even if you don't have a "problem" with food. We all have something we crave to replace God when what we really need is Him. I'll be posting a review after I've finished reading the book.
Have a great weekend and I'll be checking in with you again next week!
Until then...
Cassie
