Comments on Adventures in Babywearing: How I do it all.

Well, I had to quote from you at my newest post on...

2009-11-02T02:44:14.748-06:00

Well, I had to quote from you at my newest post on balance: "Balance and how you can't do it all, at least not all at once." Thanks for providing this reminder that no one's doing it all.

Women are mutitaskers. They are biologically predi...

2009-10-31T23:15:19.702-05:00

Women are mutitaskers. They are biologically predisposed to take care of family, hearth and home while also doing the hunting and the gathering. They can't help it. Although they are underappreciated and underestimated, they do it all and most likely always will.

Dear Steph, I love this post. It cheers my heart ...

2009-10-30T01:49:42.741-05:00

Dear Steph,

I love this post. It cheers my heart when we, as women, are able to admit that we are only human, and that life is a rough journey, albeit highly rewarding when we truly see all that we are blessed to experience.

I love this quote by G.K. Chesterton, and I think so much about mothers (and women in general) and parents whenever I remember it:

"We are all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty."

May more of us be more open and honest about ourselves.

It cracks me up when people post pictures of their homes sometimes. You get to see... MAYBE their counter top in one small corner of their kitchen... Or MAYBE this one amazing dining room/buffet... Or MAYBE even a nightstand... You know what I mean.

What I am dying to see is someone else's three/four overflowing laundry baskets full of dirty clothes (hey, three kids, one husband, and myself add up to a whole lotta weekly laundry!). Or someone elses side wall overflowing with those reusable grocery bags filled with miscellaneous junk that has been gathered at the last second because someone's coming over and it must must MUST be hidden from site! Or, what about someone else's unmade up face or twisted up hair being held up with a broken pencil?

Do you remember when Jaime Lee Curtis did that article where she was photographed without make up and in her underwear and had no alterations done to the picture, and she went on to talk about how movie stars are just as normal as the rest of us, only they have people they pay to make them look like a million bucks every so often? That was a HUGELY amazing magazine moment in my mind.

Here's another quote that I would love to place on a little sign outside of my one day house:

"If you've come to see me, come on in! If you've come to see my house, make an appointment!"

I think about a year ago, MckMama did a post about how she manages to do all that she does. It was a great post. A part of it was similar to what you've written here, but she continues on about some of the things she actually does do to help life run more smoothly. I bookmarked it and look back on it from time to time. Take a look see:

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2008/12/coping-mechanisms-fourth-child-edition.html

Blessings, Susan

P.S. Sorry. This comment is embarrassingly long, but I just had to get that out. Maybe I should have just blogged about it :O) Ha ha ha.

All i can say is AMEN! Thank you!

2009-10-27T06:50:50.816-05:00

All i can say is AMEN! Thank you!

Sundays are the best!!!

2009-10-26T13:00:11.716-05:00

Sundays are the best!!!

Thanks for this.

2009-10-26T12:03:00.589-05:00

Thanks for this.

Okay, I've never contemplated going vegan! LOL Yo...

2009-10-26T02:00:33.657-05:00

Okay, I've never contemplated going vegan! LOL

You constantly inspire and amaze me. I always wonder how you do it all. (And I don't believe you... I still think you do it all. *smile*)

You are my hero. No really, in all honesty, I adm...

2009-10-25T14:52:34.697-05:00

You are my hero.

No really, in all honesty, I admire you so so so so much.

<3

I was vegetarian for awhile and I often think abou...

2009-10-25T11:34:32.095-05:00

I was vegetarian for awhile and I often think about going back.

No one does it all. It's not possible with out a staff of some sort IMO. I think getting through each day is a great accomplishment in it's self.

I didn't know you did cross stitch! So cool!

I have thought of going vegan again myself, but I'...

2009-10-25T11:14:35.905-05:00

I have thought of going vegan again myself, but I've done so well eliminating red meat that I think I'll stick with what's working for now. So much change in this year already for me.

As for doing it all, heh. We are a lot alike. I get it a lot, too. I tell them one simple phrase I don't ever let myself forget "I do what I can, when I can." And that's really it. I just put my nose to the grindstone and carve out whatever I can for the day, and that's all I can do, you know? A little here, a little there, it'll get done. Our kids need us more. *hugs*

"The China Study" is a book I buy for all the peop...

2009-10-25T10:10:36.163-05:00

"The China Study" is a book I buy for all the people I love in my life (and for total strangers who are dealing with health issues). It's a GREAT read for anyone wanting to live a healthier life or who may be straddling that vegan fence.

Exactly. You've put it into words beautifully. H...

2009-10-25T09:50:01.344-05:00

Exactly. You've put it into words beautifully. Hope Ivy takes a long snooze on her daddy today :)

Listen: if you go vegan, we may break up. That is...

2009-10-25T09:38:07.645-05:00

Listen: if you go vegan, we may break up. That is all.

Love you. Love burgers. Love cheese.

You don't give yourself enough credit. But I total...

2009-10-25T09:28:24.264-05:00

You don't give yourself enough credit. But I totally believe that motherhood is ad-libbing it at all times. Some days we nail it, some days we don't.

I think we need to go to out for burgers again before you go vegan again!

No one can do it all - but you sure make it look l...

2009-10-25T05:42:13.715-05:00

No one can do it all - but you sure make it look like you can. Big Sister has been sick too. Sorry about Ivy.

I get asked that a lot myself, and my answer is us...

2009-10-25T00:38:12.901-05:00

I get asked that a lot myself, and my answer is usually: Diet Coke and a really supportive and fantastic team behind me (husband, mom, boss, etc). It takes a village to raise a baby and it takes a village to be a happy and healthy and grounded mom/woman/wife.

(I'm new here but I love it. You're inspiring in the way that is refreshing and genuine. You know, the best way.)

Also, I did a year long stint as a vegan and I've ...

2009-10-25T00:36:11.283-05:00

Also, I did a year long stint as a vegan and I've considered doing it again :)

Mmm, I feel like that too -- you wait for those mo...

2009-10-25T00:35:08.591-05:00

Mmm, I feel like that too -- you wait for those moment when they sleep and when you finally do go to bed it's never for long enough -- but it's all so incredibly worth it that you go and go!

No one can really do it all. And that's a good th...

2009-10-24T23:13:19.056-05:00

No one can really do it all.

And that's a good thing.

My favorite thing about you (and what makes me come back here day after day) is your raw honesty...and open attitude about the reality of parenting and it's lack of perfection but overflowing amount of love.

You sing the song of a true and devoted mother...and it is one I love to hear and try to mimic often.

This definitely resonated with me too, Steph. Your...

2009-10-24T21:30:46.603-05:00

This definitely resonated with me too, Steph. Your profound love for your children is evident in every post and I'm sure they'll never doubt it. Beautiful thoughts!

i can totally relate to everything you wrote! i...

2009-10-24T21:16:30.398-05:00

i can totally relate to everything you wrote!

i think that you are doing it "all" because you are doing exactly what God has called you to do and to be, a wonderful mommy to your four sweet blessings! i think you are doing an awesome job!!!

I loved this post. It sounds so much like my life...

2009-10-24T21:06:16.220-05:00

I loved this post. It sounds so much like my life. :)

I could do vegetarian, we eat that way about half ...

2009-10-24T20:44:19.238-05:00

I could do vegetarian, we eat that way about half the time. But, oh, the eggs. And the cream in my coffee. And the cheese. I'd be the cheatingest vegan around.

I do know a few people who have gone vegan who feel really amazing.

And once again, I feel like you're in my head. Applause for your honesty!

I am so glad to hear that other mamas can't do it ...

2009-10-24T20:39:31.588-05:00

I am so glad to hear that other mamas can't do it all, either.

"If I've got a good thing going in one area, it means there are probably a bunch of other things being severely neglected in another area."

Yes! Me, me!

Love your honesty, Steph. It is very true, and it ...

2009-10-24T20:10:14.958-05:00

Love your honesty, Steph. It is very true, and it helps to hear this is the case with other mamas, too. Just the other day, I felt so accomplished for finally washing the diapers and two other loads of laundry (which still all sit clean and unfolded in the livingroom, btw) but then I looked at the kitchen and it was even more of a disaster than usual. Other days, I feel like I'm super creative and energetic with the kids, but we have chips and guacamole for dinner. We can 'do it all' just not all at once. ;) Keep sharing. You're encouraging more people than you realize. xo