Note to Self: Expect Less

I expect too much. I believe that motherhood means setting new expectations, but in spite of declaring it to the world, I have yet to wrap my brain around the idea.

I expect too much of myself. I feel that I can somehow, always take on more sewing or drama or organizing projects and finish them on time. It almost never happens and then I am stressed out, irritable, and weary.

I expect too much of my husband. I want him to always accept that the house is a disaster, dinner isn't made, and we are out of clean clothes (again). I don't want to ever have to remind him to do anything, so when I do - it bothers me. And it shouldn't, because he's just as exhausted as I am.

I expect too much of my kids. Other people have children who appreciate sleep, so I feel that mine should too. The thing is, I don't sleep either (too many other things to do) - so I don't know why I would think they will. I think they should be able to occupy themselves for an hour while I cook or clean or write, but that never happens.

And lately, I especially expect too much of Lincoln. This beautiful, amazing kid is three years old and I sometimes seem to think that means he should be able to wake up quietly in the morning so as to not disturb his sister, who is typically sleeping on top of me. I feel like he should be able to finally decide he's okay with being potty trained. He should know that he can't climb on the table or play in the fridge or eat graham crackers all day as he sees fit. He should be able to get in his car seat without climbing in the driver's seat and pushing 14 buttons first. 

I get so frustrated with him, but he doesn't deserve it. I need to be teaching, not scolding. Helping him make better choices, not making him just as discouraged as I am. If I am reacting poorly to decisions he makes, how is that setting him up for life?

This parenting thing, friends? It's really, really hard. And I definitely don't have it even close to figured out.

Well, That Was Unexpected

I thought I was all prepared. Last week was my spring semester drama students' performance. Performance week is nuts around here. Looking back, I find a lot of posts like this one where I'm hysterically busy and crazed and filled with anxiety in the days leading up to my performances.

So, this time? I decided to keep my Type-A personality happy. I worked really hard the week before last. I scheduled all of my posts for crazy drama week. And it worked! A full week's worth of posts were prepared; I kept pageviews up and felt like I didn't have to worry about keeping up with the blog. 

So, you're probably wondering - why am I complaining?

I woke up on Monday with great intentions to start off a beautiful, new, productive week. And then I stood up and felt like I had been hit with a sack of bricks.

I'm still fighting off some weird virus or bug. I don't know what it is. My stomach feels weird and my throat is scratchy.

Today was the first day I felt like I could actually sort of function again - so I spent the whole day working on summer drama class info and having potty training wars and feeling kind of like this again.

I've rambled on quite awhile now, with the single purpose of saying: I have some great posts in the works, but for now I'm celebrating the fact that both of my kids are momentarily in bed by eating this Trader Joe's whoopie pie. It's really, really good. Even with a slightly nauseated stomach.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who has days (weeks) like this one. Here's hoping everyone sleeps all night - and I wake up feeling not weird anymore.

I have my doubts, but I'd love it if it turned out that way.

I Need A Clone. Or Five.

An accurate representation of my kitchen table right now.

Is it already Wednesday? Yikes.

It's come to my attention that I try to do too many things. I've always been this way. My Timehop this morning had 4 years of Facebook statuses declaring that I need more time. Apparently I am stressed out on this, the day before Halloween, every year.

You'd think I would learn. I even thought I was preparing early this year. However, I'm freaking out because there simply are not enough hours to accomplish everything. And I can't even stay up all night (my normal solution) because my baby won't sleep without me.

I don't WANT to be a stressed-out, spastic, exhausted, grumpy mother who pleads with her kid to watch one more episode of Curious George so that I can sew. I don't want to lie in bed, snuggling my almost toddler and just be worried because I didn't get emails sent regarding dress rehearsals for my students next week.

I need to find a better balance. Or maybe stop doing some of these projects. But what do I give up? Crafts? Blog? Drama? I love it all. So that's a pretty big dilemma.

I'll be back when the crazy calms down a little bit!

Tiny Prints Holiday Cards + $50 Code Giveaway

Disclosure: I was selected for this campaign as a member of Global Influence and received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you've probably arrived at the realization that I am the world's worst a bit of a procrastinator. I tend to have a lot of things on my plate and they all tend to get done at the eleventh hour, such as last year's Christmas decorations.

The first year we were married, I handmade all of my 200+ Christmas cards. While I'd love to have that kind of time on my hands again, I know it isn't going to happen - so for the last few years, I've ordered photo Christmas cards (and New Year's Cards last year when I was waaaay behind on everything due to newborn Addie). My photo cards of choice always seem to come from Tiny Prints!

The Tiny Prints Holiday Card collection never disappoints, and this year I especially love them! I'm having a tough time deciding which one to order. I will probably be able to make a better decision after tomorrow's family photo shoot! But with all the gorgeous designs to choose from - Contemporary, Classic, Vintage, Full bleed photos, All That Glitters, Bold Expressions, Simply Chic, Woodland Wonder, The New Tradition - you can see why I might have a hard time making a decision!

Once I decide which card to use, there are more fun options to consider. Most of the cards can be ordered with your selection of trim - square, rounded corners, brackets, tickets, and scalloped edges. I love the simplicity of a rounded card and it is so much easier to order them that way than to hand-punch them! There is also the option to add matching address labels and envelope liners to your order. During the busy holiday season, I will take all the extra help I can get!

I always turn to photo gifts for creative gifts at Christmas, so I've been perusing the Tiny Prints selection already. If you're looking for a great gift for grandparents, I can tell you that photo books and canvas prints are always a big hit!

Have you planned your holiday cards yet?

Giveaway

One Director Jewels reader will win a $50 Tiny Prints Code (plus free shipping) to use toward the purchase of your holiday cards or photo gifts!  This giveaway will end on October 22 at 11:59pm CST.  This giveaway is open to US readers only.

To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below (you may need Javascript enabled to see the form and it may take a moment to load)!  Once you complete the first entry, the other options will open up so that you can complete them as well.  All of the "extra entries" are optional - you can do just one, or as many as you want!  Winners will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was selected for this campaign as a member of Global Influence and received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. Tiny Prints will be providing the giveaway prize. All opinions expressed are my own. I truly love this company and have no hesitation in recommending any of the Tiny Prints brands! For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.