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Value This Life

Value This Life

Helping you find more joy & beauty in everyday life

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Mommy, I Don’t Feel So Good: Keeping Up When Life Happens

Life is humming along smoothly and you’re feeling pretty efficient.  The laundry is almost caught up and you’re finally getting the hang of meal planning.  You’ve even managed to keep some semblance of order in your bedroom.  Best of all, your schedule is helping you stay productive and still have some personal time.

 

As the old saying goes, “Take a picture, it’ll last longer.”

As much as we enjoy the times when efficiency is our middle name, life is bound to happen.  Sometimes it’s a minor glitch like catching a cold, and sometimes it’s a major disruption like the whole family coming down with the stomach flu.  And those are just the illnesses.

Factor in smaller events like sports tournaments, children’s practices and performances, and holidays.  And don’t forget the bigger interruptions like car accidents, out of town funerals, hospitalizations, and the list goes on.

The fact is, we don’t live life in a vacuum.  Anybody can do well when life is uneventful and the pantry is organized. It’s the unexpected detours that will test our resolve and attitude.

The first step in not only coping, but thriving, is to ask yourself what you want your life to look like.  Know your purpose.  Be aware of where you are and where you want to go.  Believe it or not, having these things as a solid foundation will help you immensely when the stress of the unexpected hits.

 

Just because things aren’t perfect doesn’t mean that you throw in the towel.  There are ways to adapt and push through and still get work done during a crisis, large or small:

 

Organize whatever you can.  You should be doing this anyway, but it’s especially important during a disrupted schedule.  It’s tempting to drop the whole routine, but your household thrives on consistency.  Find some time early on to jot down easy meals and stock up on food and supplies. Gather supplies in one place for whatever sickness you’re dealing with.  Start a load of laundry before breakfast and dinner.

 

Keep up with housekeeping.  How, you may ask?  First of all, decision goes a long way.  Kathy Ireland said, “Excuses are undignified and they don’t absolve you anyway.”  A champion rises to the occasion and pushes through difficulties.  Maintaining the kitchen and picking up the main living areas are a lot easier if you do it in small bites throughout the day rather than waiting until it’s a federal disaster zone later.

 

Use a to-do list.  Write it down.  Your situation has probably brought new responsibilities and your brain needs some structure.  But don’t push yourself unrealistically.  Pare it down to the absolute necessities.  Delegate, postpone, break it up into smaller pieces.

 

You can still have a schedule.  It will just look different.  Breathe.  Keep in mind the end result and the purpose for what you’re doing.  That will help you make the decisions about what comes next.

Figure out the simplest ways to do life.  Use paper plates and disposable cups.  Gather all the sick kids in one room where you can keep an eye on them while you work.  Since family life is part of your vision, don’t resent the imposed restraint.  Serve with a smile.  Stay home and slow down.

Don’t underestimate the value of prayer and don’t be afraid to ask for the prayers of others.  You don’t have to be fake and pretend to be perfect.

When illness or a difficult situation shows up, don’t get caught in the trap of making a sweeping statement like “Oh, great!  I might as well give up!” or “Now I’ll NEVER get this work done!” or even “This ALWAYS happens to me!”

The next time you hear, “Mommy, I don’t feel so good,” shift gears and look for ways to adapt.  Keep going, persevere, and stay focused.  Take care of yourself and your family during this short season.  Soon you’ll find that things have settled down and you will be all the better for it!

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About Charlotte

I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU!

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I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU! Read More…

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valuethislife

valuethislife
Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot in cosmetology school so we threw a family beauty-themed party. Not one homemade decoration or treat, nothing fancy or overwhelming!  We just gathered stuff around the house for the theme and bought inexpensive party trimmings. Frozen cream puffs, mini cookies and candy (Easter colors were perfect), and “Bugles” for “nail tips.”  Done! Better a simple party with fun than a fancy party with stress!
I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beau I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beautiful. Why should we be embarrassed to admit that? Spring flowers, Fall leaves, Winter snowflakes and Summer sunsets are all beautiful. Different colors, textures and sizes—but each exquisite. What could change if you looked in the mirror with LOVE and appreciation for YOUR one-of-a-kind beauty?💕
The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot for a seasonal arrangement. Tiny red berries and antique gold branches were added for Christmas. Orange bittersweet stems and scattered leaves could give it a Fall feel. A pretty arrangement helps keep the dresser top from getting cluttered with mail and coins and papers. Your bedroom is the first and last thing you see every day, so give yourself a visual treat—something that YOU enjoy seeing.🌷
Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special f Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special for Easter! Mini Robin Eggs turn the cookies into tiny nests. Recipe for the cookies and Resurrection Rolls over at the blog!
Easter week and we need all the energy and happy b Easter week and we need all the energy and happy brain we can get! Thicker hair and strong nails are kinda nice, too. Quick and simple is my mom jam, so mixing it all together works great. Some “plant stuff” tastes like grass clippings, this isn’t that. 😂 I can help you choose, let’s chat!
Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t have to pull up a chair and turn on a movie for them. Don’t let them hang around long enough to bring you down and shape your emotions. Show them the door and turn your attention to thoughts that serve you well. Think on THOSE things. 💕
My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big wind My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big windows, almost ceiling to floor. Give me all the light! Favorite thing about photo filters: they camouflage dirty windows. **cat unintentionally included in scene, literally came out of nowhere 😳
“Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkl “Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkly eyeshadow.” Fashion advice I’m NOT listening to.💋Eyeshadow is the most FUN part of makeup for me, and I love variety! Many women prefer neutral/natural/no-makeup looks. Y’all go ahead! You do you! I’ll be over here with the purples and blues and greens and alllll the shimmers.😂💄What’s YOUR makeup look?
I don’t remember how it started, but decorating I don’t remember how it started, but decorating for the seasons has been part of the rhythm of our family life for years. I was determined to create a home where good memories could be made. Small holidays and seasonal touches mark the passage of time and anchor traditions. Sometimes the decor is very simple, sometimes more elaborate—but I’m always glad I made the effort!
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Looking For Something?

valuethislife

valuethislife
Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot in cosmetology school so we threw a family beauty-themed party. Not one homemade decoration or treat, nothing fancy or overwhelming!  We just gathered stuff around the house for the theme and bought inexpensive party trimmings. Frozen cream puffs, mini cookies and candy (Easter colors were perfect), and “Bugles” for “nail tips.”  Done! Better a simple party with fun than a fancy party with stress!
I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beau I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beautiful. Why should we be embarrassed to admit that? Spring flowers, Fall leaves, Winter snowflakes and Summer sunsets are all beautiful. Different colors, textures and sizes—but each exquisite. What could change if you looked in the mirror with LOVE and appreciation for YOUR one-of-a-kind beauty?💕
The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot for a seasonal arrangement. Tiny red berries and antique gold branches were added for Christmas. Orange bittersweet stems and scattered leaves could give it a Fall feel. A pretty arrangement helps keep the dresser top from getting cluttered with mail and coins and papers. Your bedroom is the first and last thing you see every day, so give yourself a visual treat—something that YOU enjoy seeing.🌷
Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special f Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special for Easter! Mini Robin Eggs turn the cookies into tiny nests. Recipe for the cookies and Resurrection Rolls over at the blog!
Easter week and we need all the energy and happy b Easter week and we need all the energy and happy brain we can get! Thicker hair and strong nails are kinda nice, too. Quick and simple is my mom jam, so mixing it all together works great. Some “plant stuff” tastes like grass clippings, this isn’t that. 😂 I can help you choose, let’s chat!
Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t have to pull up a chair and turn on a movie for them. Don’t let them hang around long enough to bring you down and shape your emotions. Show them the door and turn your attention to thoughts that serve you well. Think on THOSE things. 💕
My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big wind My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big windows, almost ceiling to floor. Give me all the light! Favorite thing about photo filters: they camouflage dirty windows. **cat unintentionally included in scene, literally came out of nowhere 😳
“Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkl “Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkly eyeshadow.” Fashion advice I’m NOT listening to.💋Eyeshadow is the most FUN part of makeup for me, and I love variety! Many women prefer neutral/natural/no-makeup looks. Y’all go ahead! You do you! I’ll be over here with the purples and blues and greens and alllll the shimmers.😂💄What’s YOUR makeup look?
I don’t remember how it started, but decorating I don’t remember how it started, but decorating for the seasons has been part of the rhythm of our family life for years. I was determined to create a home where good memories could be made. Small holidays and seasonal touches mark the passage of time and anchor traditions. Sometimes the decor is very simple, sometimes more elaborate—but I’m always glad I made the effort!
Follow on Instagram
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