Keeping it Calm with the 3 C's

As a working-outside-the-home mom and wife, and especially a working-outside-the-home mom and wife with a handful of health conditions, it's easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted this time of year. Exhaustion leads to more pain so it's something I generally try to avoid, but I can't allow myself to avoid doing the things that make me happy and make my heart feel good, so I have to find the right balance.

I've realized recently that I can still be a present wife and mom and do the things I love without tipping the scales (most of the time) by dedicating time each day to one of my 3 C's.

What are my 3 C's?

1. Couponing

2. Crafting

3. Cleaning

On most nights of the week, after Logan has settled in to bed, I dedicate an hour or so to one of these 3 C's while I wind down for the night.
The first C, couponing, is my hobby. I started couponing about four years ago and now there's no way I can stop! I break out into cold sweats when I need to pay full price for anything. Couponing taps into my need to organize, feeds my fondness for shopping, and enables me to save money on things my family actually uses while building a stockpile of emergency food and supplies. I could easily spend time on this every day because there really are new deals daily, but by limiting myself to two nights a week (except during Harris Teeter Super Doubles!), I can spend one day finding deals and preparing for shopping trips and another night shopping for deals solo (!) while Ryan stays home with Logan asleep. Whoever knew the mom secret-- that shopping at Target alone could be so ridiculously pleasant?!
The second C, crafting, makes me happy, makes our home a bit more personal and comfortable, and enables me to feel like I really accomplished something. There's no other feeling like making something with your own hands. Crafty nights are great opportunities to get together with friends for a night in, catch up on thank you notes, make or write holiday cards, make gifts, bake treats, or even spend an hour (or two) on Pinterest planning your next project.
The third C, cleaning, is the necessary evil. Luckily, most of the day, most days of the week, we are away from home making messes that other people are paid to clean which means our home doesn't require daily vacuuming, mopping, bathroom wipe downs, etc., so two nights a week is generally enough to keep the critters away and not be embarrassed if people stop by. One uninterrupted hour is plenty of time to deep clean two bathrooms, sweep and mop the tile floors, or de-gunk the microwave. Moreover, in my mind, cleaning also means organizing! An organized space gives the impression of clean even if it's dusty! If the floors aren't crunching beneath my feet, I might spend a cleaning night on a decluttering or reorganizing project.
A bonus perk of the crafting and couponing in our apartment means I'm just hanging out in the living room with my hubby. We're able to talk, make plans, and watch our favorite shows and I don't feel like I'm missing quality time with him nor do I feel like a bump on a log zoning out to tv with idle hands and he's able to keep up with his hobbies at the same time.
If you feel like you just have too many things on your plate this season or feel like you've been focusing too much on just one thing, think about your priorities-- what would make up your 3 C's?

November Gratitude: Day 19

Today, I am grateful for:

• tea. And cough drops. And all the things that make you feel semi-human when you have a cold.
• sweet potatoes. I have an autoimmune reaction to regular potatoes-- I get painful charley horses all over my body and all I can do is lay in bed. Sweet potatoes fill the void and fill my belly! Tonight, I had a huge baked sweet potato with sour cream and bacon and it was perfection.
• the ability and creativity to occasionally make something from nothing.

November Gratitude: Day 18

Today, I am grateful for:

• holiday decorations! People put a lot of time, money, and effort into making their homes beautiful. Growing up, our home was always cozy and comfortable-- we always had a well-stocked fridge, something freshly baked, lots of blankets, and fun decorations. I think holiday decor and fragrances make a cozy home even more inviting and it's nice to have a change of scenery indoors as the seasons change outdoors.
• Ryan's job. It's his job that really keeps a roof over our heads, a car in our garage, and the bills paid. It's not often that you find people our age who have spent their whole career growing within one company. I'm proud of how much he's grown and the respect he has earned.
• blenders. We love smoothies in this family-- it's one of the easiest ways to get fresh veggies, by drinking them blended with fruit! We use our blender more than any other small appliance. One day, I hope to have a vitamix, but for now I'm grateful for the little blender we have.

November Gratitude: Day 17

Today I am grateful:

• my husband is home from a five day trip! Parenting is a challenge when you lose your voice.
• for a boss who tells me to go home. Even though I couldn't sleep, I was able to rest my body and my voice.
• Logan has pooped on the potty three days in a row! He is on track to transition to his next level class on schedule. He is SO EXCITED to go to "preschool class"-- it's been a great motivator for potty training.

November Gratitude: Day 16

Today, I am grateful for:

• my senses, and knowing they work well most of the time. Sometimes I feel things, physically, a bit more than I should, thanks to my overactive nerves, but everything else is normal. Today though, I have a sore throat an no voice. Being a solo parent this weekend was really challenging! I couldn't raise my voice to respond when he was calling for me at the park today, we couldn't sing songs together, and I barely made it through one book at bed time. Logan was so sad when I tried to explain that I couldn't read more or sing because I didn't feel well and needed medicine. I don't know how parents are able to manage if they can't see, speak, or hear. I am so grateful those parts of my body generally work!
• for a husband who is a great father to Logan and a great support to me. I am so fortunate!
• grocery stores. I am fascinated with shows about Alaska, homesteading, prepping, and surviving, and while I believe I am more prepared for emergencies than most city dwellers, I am happy I don't have to do those things every day and am able to take advantage of grocery stores!

November Gratitude: Days 14 & 15

Yesterday, I was grateful for:

• my sweet friend, Bryana. Everyone needs a Bryana in their life-- a friend they can count on for just about anything. She is such a huge help to our little family and such a great all around friend, she's become a part of our family and I don't know what we would do without her.
• a regular paycheck, especially this time of year. During the holidays people are often stressed and will overstretch themselves and even steal to provide for the people they love. I feel fortunate that I am not in that position because I can count on my paycheck and have been planning for the holidays all year (note to everyone: Don't go in my closet!).
• Logan's bedtime routine-- it hasn't changed since he was an infant: Potty (formerly diaper change), bath or wash up, floss and brush teeth, lotion, jammies, books, songs, sleep. Works 98% of the time, no matter where we are. No matter how long the day feels, I know the routine will go smoothly and I get to end the day on a positive note snuggling with clean cutie pie, reading the books and singing the songs he loves.

Today, I am grateful for:

• the chance to take Logan to his very first play: Tiny Tim's A Christmas Carol. Despite the scary ghosts, he really enjoyed it. He had a great conversation with Tiny Tim after the show and told him he liked it and wants to see it again. He really wanted to go back immediately but I promised him we would see more plays this winter and we would definitely go back.
• the arguments I have with Logan. Standing by his opinion and actions shows me he has a strong character and won't be afraid to stand up for himself. I try my hardest not to get frustrated in these moments and try to turn them into learning opportunities.
• ice cream. Because some evil genius somehow created one of the most simple, most delicious, treats on earth, and it's my favorite. Logan's too. He likes pink.